TAYLOR PFEIFFER
ARTIST Biography
FEATURED ARTIST • FEBRUARY 2017
2018 Toyota Star Maker Top 10 Finalist, Taylor Pfeiffer is a quiet achiever, a singer/songwriter, banjoist, guitarist and yodeller, always working hard on her craft. At nineteen years of age, Taylor has succumbed to great feats, gaining airplay on Triple J, screen time on national Australian television shows Channel 9 The Voice ‘Blind Auditions’ (May 2017 Episode 7), a special feature on her musical career on Channel 7 Weekend Sunrise (August 2016), ABC1 TV Show Spicks & Specks (2014 Episode 8), Channel 44 Our Time (2014), ABC1 Behind The News (2013) and she was personally invited to perform for Nashville’s Music City Roots (Filmed in Tamworth 2013). Taylor interviewed Lee Kernaghan for ABC’s Saturday Night Country, which was aired across Australia.
In 2018, Taylor travelled to the US for her first time in August/September, after a successful audition to attend a 5-day advanced banjo course, Blue Ridge Banjo Camp, presented by banjo extraordinaire Béla Fleck in North Carolina. This exclusive camp featured over 100 advanced banjo players from across the globe, with Taylor selected for the ‘top class’ – highlighting her skillset. “Being accepted into studying at Béla Fleck’s camp was such an honour. He is such a profound banjo player, with 16 Grammy awards up his sleeve. He really bends the genre of banjo playing, which is truly inspirational,” Taylor explain. Taylor spent 7-weeks co-writing and performing at festivals and conferences in North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma and performing at Nashville’s (TN) iconic The Bluebird Cafe for two performances.
A trailblazer from Adelaide creating her own sound in alt-country, Taylor released Take Her, a 5- track EP in 2017 showcasing her knack for catchy hooks and relatable lyrics. The title track conquered The Music Network’s Country chart, and reached #9 on the competitive Triple J Unearthed all genres chart. Produced by Simon Johnson in NSW Australia, with brass and string sections recorded in Texas, Taylor goes above and beyond to keep her listeners from second- guessing.
“With the release of Take Her, I feel that I’ve succeeded in showcasing my personal growth as a songwriter and artist. I’m so proud of this EP, with a selection of contrasting original songs, and a co-write with Matt Scullion.”
An accompanying music video for Take Her sees Taylor in a vaudeville, 1920’s setting. Filmed by JLM Studios, the music video continues to air on Foxtel’s Country Music Channel.
In November 2018, Taylor will open The McClymonts SA show. Taylor has performed on stage with Australian Country Music Golden Guitar award winners Lee Kernaghan (2017 Tamworth, Tanunda and Adelaide, 2014 Tamworth, 2013 Tamworth & Urban CMF Qld),Beccy Cole (2018 Tamworth Country Music Festival x 2 shows – Banjoist in Beccy’s band; 2017 Aussie Road Crew Tour SA), Troy Cassar-Daley (2016 Tamworth & 2012 Barossa Valley), Kasey Chambers, Adam Harvey, The Davidson Brothers, Pete Denahy and opened shows for Amber Lawrence & Bill Chambers. In January 2017, Taylor performed the Australian National Anthem at Lee Kernaghan’s Boys From The Bush 25th Anniversary Australia Day concert to a large crowd at TRECC Tamworth and Taylor also features in Lee’s video clip Outback Club Reunion. In December 2017, Taylor performed the Australian National Anthem to a Sold Out crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for PBR Invitational and will also perform the Anthem for PBR in December 2018.
Taylor regularly performs throughout Australia and credits include major festivals Tamworth Country Music Festival (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013), National Folk Festival in Canberra ACT (2017 & 2016), Mildura Country Music Festival (2018, 2017), The Gympie Muster (2014) and The Urban Country Music Festival (2014).
December 2017, Taylor was awarded 1st Place in the ASME Young Composers awards for her composition ‘Beauty Is The Beast’ and 3rd Place in the Australian Songwriters Awards Youth section for ‘Murder In The Dark’
Crowned the 2017 Australian Battle of the Bluegrass Junior Champion, Taylor’s banjo skills have also been recognized by several US organizations and publications including The Banjo Reserve and a video of Taylor playing ‘Dixie Medley’ featured on The Banjo Nation Facebook page, which received over 50,000 views in only a few days.
After hearing the 1960’s Australian TV theme song Skippy, Taylor began learning banjo at seven-years of age. ‘Scruggs Style’ banjo is Taylor’s specialty and she provides workshops at festivals and events across Australia. Taylor is a tutor at the WEA Adult Learning Centre in Adelaide, teaching a 6-week 5-String Banjo course.
Inspired by her Grandpa’s passion for Australian Yodellers Shirley Thoms, June Holms and Mary Schneider, Taylor taught herself to yodel when she was ten, leading to yodelling on major TV networks in Australia.
Taylor was awarded the 2015 Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards – Most Promising Future Star at a gala at Capitol Theatre, Tamworth NSW.
June 2016 Taylor released her first Album Five Strings Attached, showcasing her ability as a professional banjo player, drummer and musician. Taylor has a passion for songwriting, winning several songwriting awards throughout Australia.
“You are beyond. Your vocal skills are phenomenal” – Boy George, The Voice Episode 7, 2017
“I’ve known Taylor for a few years now and it excites me that a new generation of Country artists take so much pride in their playing. Taylor has a wonderful presence on stage and gets around the banjo so proficiently it scares me. I wish her all the best on the road ahead, she loves it, so it will never feel like work and that’s what music is all about.” – Troy Cassar-Daley
Interview with Lee Kernaghan for the Barossa Herald Newspaper 5th April 2017:
“Taylor was about 12 or 13 years old when I first met her in Tamworth, and I was knocked out by her talent and I hope she’s going to be around, I’d love for her to come and do some songs with us at Tanunda,” he said. “She’s a great South Australian talent, she features in the music video of my latest single ‘Outback Club Reunion’. “It was a last minute thing, I needed banjo, and why settle for second best when you can have the number one banjo girl in the land.” – Lee Kernaghan
ARTIST MUSIC
Released October 13, 2017
ARTIST INTERVIEW
The Banjo Reserve interviewed Taylor Pfeiffer, here’s what she had to say…
How did you learn the Banjo, and what method of learning do you feel is most effective?
I have been learning banjo from a local banjo teacher here in Adelaide, Australia for 10 years. I feel that having a banjo teacher is the most effective method of learning as I can ask heaps of questions, and have someone constantly monitoring my progress on a regular basis.
You have been playing banjo for nine years, during the early stages of learning to play the Banjo what did you find most challenging? What was your approach to overcome these challenges?
I have been learning banjo for ten years now, and I can clearly remember the challenges at first. When I first picked up the banjo, I found it quite difficult to develop my right-hand technique of the constant rolling action, and having two fingers resting on the skin. What overcame this challenge was repeating the same rolls over and over at a slow speed until I felt I had it right. Another challenge was trying to play at a fast tempo. A few years into my learning I just wanted to play like Earl, so I compromised on my technique to do this! I have learned the lesson that playing with the right technique is the only way to gain speed.
What specific challenge(s) are you working on today?
I love challenges as they always result in learning new things, but at the moment my main challenge is trying to move banjo out of that ‘hillbilly’ music stereotype – I mean, banjo can be a prominent instrument in any genre. At the moment I have been working on playing melodic banjo, and putting my own spin on pop songs such as ‘Life On Mars’. This has been heaps of fun for me!
Where do you see banjo music going and what is your role in that?
Banjo is such a happy instrument, so for that reason it will always be a feature in music, specificaly bluegrass and country music. There are so many great players like Jens Kruger and Béla Fleck who are innovating the style of the instrument, and taking it to new places musically that it has never been before. This has helped to shape the banjo as a versatile instrument, so I believe banjo music will feature more melodic aspects while still keeping with classic Scruggs licks and styles, and this is what I have been working on.
Are there any banjo artists from the past or present that have a significant influence on your interest in banjo music, technique, or future project?
I’m inspired by so many banjo players! I was super lucky to attend the Australian Bluegrass Conference in December last year where I had workshops and jams with Jens Kruger of the Kruger Brothers. He has inspired me to take the banjo to new and exciting places! The main thing I learned from him over the conference was that feel and emotion in music is more important than anything.
Bellbird Banjo Company, located in Brisbane, Australia, is one of your sponsors and manufactured the banjo we see you performing with most often. Will you share your thoughts with us regarding what you enjoy the most about this banjo/brand?
I’m so grateful for the support Peter Nahuysen of Bellbird Banjo Company has given me. I have been playing the ‘Raintree’ model for almost five years, and I love this instrument as it has the ability to produce the sharp, twangy tone needed for fast bluegrass songs, as well as a warm, mellow tone for the melodic songs I like to play. I believe this is because of the wooden tone ring my banjo has, which also has the advantage of making my banjo much lighter (although it is still heavy!). What I enjoy most about Bellbird Banjos is the attention to detail given by Peter to create the highest quality banjos that sound as beautiful as they look. My banjo is made from Australian timber which makes it even more special to play.
You have occasionally posted your busking appearances on social media. What area(s) of your profession does busking prepare you for, or play a role?
I love busking because it allows me to introduce banjo music to a new audience. This has provided many opportunities for new gigs, and new fans! Busking is a great way to practice and develop performance techniques.
You are clearly a hard-working and accomplished young banjo player, entertainer, singer, song-writer and multi-instrumentalist. What is your advice to other young musicians about balancing all the personal and professional demands of pursuing a career in music?
Thank you so much, I love playing music! That is a hard question as I’m still learning myself, but I think that it is important to set goals for yourself and to keep surprising people with your creativity, and to always have fun!
Among numerous talents, songwriting appears to be a significant passion of yours. Do you have any particular triggers for your creative process? Do you tend to write music specifically for the banjo?
I love songwriting so much! Anything and anyone can inspire a song. From watching the greats, to everyday situations, and a need to try something different. I have a very open mind when I write, so I don’t think of writing music specifically for the banjo when I’m being creative. Instead, I tend to write music with a new technique or structure that I haven’t used in previous songs that I’ve written.
At this point in your banjo playing career, what work, project or event are you most proud of?
I am really proud of my latest album ‘Five Strings Attached’ and how I incorporated Scruggs style, melodic songs, and my arrangement of ‘Life On Mars’ on the album. I worked really hard to have this diverse range of styles. I am also proud of teaching a 6-week banjo course to a class of 13 students. We had so much fun!
What other interests do you have?
I am always playing music, but when I’m not I love spending time with friends and family, and I love reading!
Tell us something about yourself that you think our Community might enjoy.
I started playing banjo at the age of seven after hearing the iconic theme song to the Australian TV Show ‘Skippy The Bush Kangaroo’. I don’t think that you can get any more Australian than that! This year, I am in my final year of school.