“Drunk Plans” has such a relatable theme. What inspired you to write about unfulfilled plans and the honesty that comes with them?

This song started with the fact that I am notorious for making plans, especially when I’m out and about. I came in with the idea of writing a song about making brunch plans, which quickly turned into drunk plans. I just think it’s such a fun take on a universal topic.

How was it working with Brad Hill on this track, and what unique qualities did he bring to the production?

Working with Brad is always a lot of fun. He has such great intuition when it comes to the musical direction of a song and how to tie that to who I am as an artist. He’s really great at tailoring his production to each artist, so getting to collaborate with him has been pretty special.

“Drunk Plans” leads your upcoming EP. Can you give us a sneak peek into the themes or stories we can expect in the rest of the EP?

The upcoming EP feels pretty unapologetic. I really wanted to write what I felt and not worry so much about outside opinions so I could get back to the root of why I started music. A lot of the writing on this EP feels empowered, with a level of self-awareness in each song. It comes down to me dialing in who I am and acknowledging or poking fun at certain parts of my personality. It’s been pretty reflective writing this project, haha!

You’ve had a phenomenal year, from your debut at CMA Fest to performances with iconic artists. What has been the most surreal moment so far?

It’s been a pretty surreal year, that’s for sure. It’s hard for me to nail down one moment because there’ve been so many, but if I had to choose, it would probably be CMA Fest. Playing that festival has always been a dream of mine, and being invited to make my debut was a huge reminder that I’m on the right path.

Your ballad “If This Is Love” resonated with many fans. How did it feel to see it gain over 1.5 million streams and win you two BCCMA Awards?

That was a huge milestone for me. “If This Is Love” still stands as one of my favorite songs I’ve released, so to see a song I was so attached to find that success was such a career highlight.

After being named Rogers Media’s “One to Watch,” how has that recognition influenced your career or approach to music?

It reassured me to trust myself in the kind of music I want to create. Watching “If This Is Love” find success on radio and streaming was a big catalyst for creating this current project. It let me know that I can make the style of music I love and carve out a space for myself in the industry. That recognition changed a lot for me and my approach.

You’ve performed in diverse settings, from Canadian festivals to Nashville’s Song Suffragettes. How do these different audiences impact your performance?

It definitely prepares you for any situation. I’ve been lucky to be part of so many incredible shows, and I think it builds your performance chops. Writers rounds have made me more comfortable sharing my life and letting people into an experience, which has made me more open in bringing that same vulnerability into a full band show.

As an Alberta-raised, Nashville-based artist, how do these places influence your sound and songwriting?

Growing up in Alberta, I was surrounded by country music. It was always playing around the house, and that’s where I really found my love for it. Moving to Nashville has been one of the biggest influences on my most recent writing style. Being surrounded by talent here builds confidence in your originality. There’s a lane for everyone, and Nashville has been pivotal in learning that.

Your recent single “Sendin’ Myself to Church” was well-received. What message or feeling were you hoping to convey with that track?

“Sendin’ Myself to Church” was such a fun song to write. I’d love to think I’m always level-headed and watching my P’s and Q’s, but I can admit that every now and then things tick me off, haha! I love the idea of admitting when we need a little help to keep it together because taking the high road doesn’t always feel like the easiest path.

With “Drunk Plans” out now, what are you most excited about for your fans to experience with this release?

I’m excited for people to get to know my personality a little more, and I think it’s a great indication of where I’m headed musically. “Drunk Plans” is a lighthearted take on the empty plans and promises we make, and that kind of self-awareness carries throughout this project.

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Website: taylorraeofficial.com

Congrats on the release of ‘Clutter’! Could you tell us a bit more about the story behind the track? What sparked the inspiration for that ‘cluttered’ feeling in the song?

Thank you so much! The inspiration for ‘clutter’ came from the emotional whirlwind of being deeply affected by someone. I’m a very emotionally driven person, and I tend to feel things very intensely. When I’m going through something, I take those feelings straight into my songwriting. With this track, I wanted to capture what that initial spark feels like, meeting someone new and finding yourself unable to stop thinking about them!

You’ve nailed that feeling of a mind swirling with thoughts of someone special. Was there a particular moment or experience that helped you tap into those emotions?

I’m so glad it resonates! In terms of tapping into those emotions, I’d say that my current relationship definitely played a big role in bringing the song to life. I think it helped give the song personal authenticity and I hope others can relate to it too.

The music video for ‘Clutter’ has such a warm, early 2000s vibe. What was it like working with Nikola Jovanovic to bring that aesthetic to life, and how did the location choice, The Press Coffee and Book House, come into play?

Picking a visual aesthetic for my music is always one of my favourite parts of the creative process—I usually have a vivid idea of how I want it to look. For ‘clutter,’ I drew a lot of inspiration from early 2000s fashion and media, and my friend Siena helped bring that to life by creating a lookbook to style me. I envisioned a cluttered, book-filled background, and The Press felt perfect. I was able to organise a shoot after hours, and it turned out exactly as I imagined. Working with Nikola is awesome and we just have this great creative synergy that makes every shoot feel effortless.

Your music blends so well with influences like Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo. How do you bring your own spin on indie-pop while pulling inspiration from these artists?

Thank you! I have so many music influences across different genres, and while they don’t always directly reflect in the sound of what I create, they definitely inspire me. When I hear a great song, it’s less about wanting to replicate it and more about the way it motivates me to write and create something of my own. I think that’s how I bring my own spin to indie-pop—I channel that inspiration into my emotions and experiences, making the music feel authentic to me.

‘Clutter’ captures the light-hearted yet intense emotions of a crush beautifully. How did you go about layering the romantic piano melodies with the livelier elements of the chorus to build that feeling?

Working with Gracie, my producer, is such an amazing part of the creative process. I don’t always know how to put exactly what I’m imagining into words, but I always have a distinct sound in my head—and it’s like Gracie can read my mind. She just gets it. For ‘clutter,’ she really helped flesh out the layers, It’s amazing to watch her bring those visions to life so effortlessly.”

With each new release, you seem to grow more confident in your sound. How has your style evolved since your debut EP ‘Bleed’ last year?

I totally agree! I think most artists would say that as they grow, their music grows with them. ‘Bleed’ is such a special part of my journey—I can listen back and instantly feel who I was and what I was going through when I wrote it. It’s like a time capsule. With my newer releases, I feel like I’m really starting to find my sound, and that’s so exciting. I’m looking forward to writing more and seeing where this path takes me next!

What was it like performing alongside acts like Taj Ralph and Seb Szabo? Did sharing the stage with them influence your approach to live shows?

Performing with Taj and Seb was such an amazing experience. One of the best things about being a new artist is getting to watch people you look up to and seeing how they do things on stage. It’s so inspiring and helps me figure out my own style. I love performing, and it was such an honour to support them.

Triple J and Triple J Unearthed have shown such strong support for your music. How does it feel to get that recognition from platforms so integral to Aussie music?

I’m so grateful for the support and feedback I’ve received from the Triple J and Unearthed teams. Unearthed is such an amazing platform for emerging artists—it’s incredible to have a space that champions new music like that. It’s been so encouraging, and I really hope to keep building connections and fostering those relationships in the future.

With Newcastle being such a key part of your journey, how has the local music scene helped shape you as an artist? Do you feel there’s something unique about creating music here?

The Newcastle music scene is something I’m incredibly grateful for. I’ve felt so welcomed and supported since I started making music and playing live. Being in a smaller city, there’s this tight-knit community where everyone in the scene is really connected—it genuinely feels like a family. That sense of closeness and support has definitely shaped me as an artist and made creating music here feel really special.

‘Clutter’ explores vulnerability in such a refreshing way. What do you hope listeners take away from the track, especially those who might be caught up in their own version of a ‘cluttered’ crush?

Thank you so much! I hope listeners find comfort in knowing they’re not alone in the overwhelming feelings that come with a crush and that it’s okay to embrace it. Being emotional or even an overthinker can actually be a blessing—those cluttered feelings often lead to something really special. I want the track to remind people that those moments of vulnerability can be just as beautiful as they are intense.

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