Taylor Hollingsworth (born May 11, 1980) is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and artist from Birmingham, Alabama. Hollingsworth is also member of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band and Dead Fingers, and has toured with Conor Oberst, Maria Taylor,[1] The Dexateens, Monsieur Jeffrey Evans and his Southern Ace's[2] and Verbena.[3]

Taylor Hollingsworth
With Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, 2017
With Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, 2017
Background information
Born (1980-05-11) May 11, 1980 (age 43)
OriginBirmingham, Alabama, United States
GenresSinger-songwriter, rock, punk, psychobilly
Occupation(s)Guitarist, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active2002–present
LabelsTeam Love Records, Fat Possum Records, Skybucket Records, Mass Music, Brash
WebsiteTaylor Hollingsworth

Biography edit

Hollingsworth purchased his first guitar at age 14, shortly after his father passed away. After starting and playing in a variety of bands including Verbena and The Dexateens,[4] he began gaining notoriety in 2002 with the now-defunct Taylor and the Puffs.[5] "Taylor and the Puffs" released Skybucket Records' first band recording You Know That Summer's Comin' in 2003.[6]

In 2005, Hollingsworth released Tragic City, a "gritty sludge-fest of a record,"[7] "recalling everyone from Alice Cooper to Dinosaur Jr. ... to T. Rex and early Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers."[8] His next album, Bad Little Kitty was released on July 29, 2008. The album was later nominated in the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards for "College Record Label Album of the year" in 2009.[9][10]

Hollingsworth was among several musicians, including Nik Freitas, Jason Boesel, Macey Taylor, and Nate Walcott to travel to Tepoztlán, Mexico in 2007 to contribute to Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst's new solo recordings.[3] Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band released 3 records during their 2007–2010 run, with Hollingsworth contributing several original songs[3] as well as cover of "Central City" from his album, Bad Little Kitty[11] that was rerecorded for the band's 2012 release One of My Kind.

Life with a Slow Ear came out on Oberst's Team Love Records label in November 2009. Paste called the album, which was recorded with Andy LeMaster, "a scrappy, bare-bones production formed out of a love for honest, straightforward rock 'n roll."[3]

Dead Fingers, a duo with wife Kate Taylor, released their first album in 2012 on Fat Possum Records,[12] earning them praise as "the first couple of new Alabama music."[13] As part of their best bands in all 50 states project, Paste Magazine named them one of 12 bands you should know from Alabama for tracks like "Ring Around Saturn" and "Hold on To" that "will bring to mind the collaboration between John Prine and Iris Dement."[14]

SDX (or "Sweet Dog Experience") is a two piece consisting of Hollingsworth and Craig "Sweetdog" Pickering.[15] They released Pawn and Gun, recorded by Memphis Punk Rock n' Roll Legend, Jack Oblivion in 2013 on Team Love Records.[16]

Dead Fingers released their second album Big Black Dog in 2014.[17] The video for "Shoom Doom Babba Labba" premiered on USA Today September 3, 2014.[18]

Hollingsworth rejoined The Dexateens in 2015[19] opening for the Drive-by Truckers[20] and the Alabama Shakes.[21]

Hollingsworth toured with Conor Oberst throughout the U.S. and Europe playing in his backing band with members of The Felice Brothers in support of Oberst's recent release, Salutations.[22] On May 11, 2017, they played Oberst's "Too Late to Fixate" on The Late Late Show with James Corden[23] featuring former Beatles collaborator and Traveling Wilburys drummer, Jim Keltner on drums.[24] The Mystic Valley Band reunited for their first time since 2010 for a one-off New Year's Eve show at the Lodge Room in Highland Park, on December 31, 2017.[25] In mid 2018, they announced a 7-date reunion tour through California and Arizona, with special guest Phoebe Bridgers.[26]

In January 2019, Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers released Better Oblivion Community Center's debut studio album featuring only one non-Bridgers-Oberst composition,[27] a cover of Hollingsworth's song "Dominos"[28] from his album "Where To Go, How To Get There, And What You Should Know In Advance."[29] In June 2019, Paste Magazine premiered a new single from Hollingsworth entitled, "Devil N Me," from his new full-length record Tap Dancin' Daddy, out on Flower Moon Records called, calling it "the sound of the blues in 2019."[30] PopMatters premiered the titled track in July, saying it "calls to mind a '70s solo record from former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman or the country colors of Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance."[31] Hollingsworth supported Better Oblivion Community Center on tour in August 2019, as an opener and performing with the band on occasion during their final west coast tour.[32]

He is married to Maria Taylor's sister, singer-songwriter Kate Taylor.[12] They had their first child together, a daughter, in 2012.[33] Hollingsworth's photo, shot by Robert M. Knight[34] hangs on the front of a Guitar Center in Jackson, Mississippi, and Florida.[35]

Artistry edit

Hollingsworth is also a mixed media artist who has shown his work at Birmingham's "Magic City Art Connection," an annual juried outdoor art show and festival,[36] Artwalk, Moss Rock Festival, and Rojo.[37] At the 2017 "Magic City Art Connection," Hollingsworth was invited to teach an interactive children's "junk art sculpture" class.[38]

Discography edit

Solo edit

  • Taylor and the Puffs – You Know That Summer's Comin (2003, Skybucket Records)
  • Taylor and the Puffs – On White Out EP (2003, Skybucket Records)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Shoot Me, Shoot Me Heaven EP (2005, Brash Music)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Tragic City (2006, Brash Music)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Bad Little Kitty (2008, Mass Music)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Life with a Slow Ear (2008, Team Love Records)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Where To Go, How To Get There, And What You Should Know in Advance (2011, Catapult)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Knifer (2016, Lo-fi, Lo-life)
  • V/A – Flower Moon Records Friends and Family Volume 1 (2018, Flower Moon Records)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Tap Dancin' Daddy (2019, Flower Moon Records)
  • Taylor Hollingsworth – Country Visions (2020)

Other projects edit

Appearances edit

Television and film appearances edit

TV Performances edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth checks inTimetable: Arts and Culture in Birmingham, AL". The Terminal. July 2, 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  2. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth – Team Love Records | New Paltz, NY". www.team-love.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "Guides to the Best Albums, Reviews and Live Music Video". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth releasing Bad Little Kitty on July 29th!". NeuFutur Magazine. July 20, 2008.
  5. ^ Writer, Cory PenningtonTusk. "A change of pace for Taylor Hollingsworth". Tuscaloosa News.
  6. ^ "Birmingham's Skybucket Records turns 10, celebrates with concerts at Bottletree (video)". al. February 6, 2013.
  7. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth: Tragic City". PopMatters. April 28, 2006.
  8. ^ "CD Reviews: Review of Tragic City by Taylor Hollingsworth". www.bullz-eye.com.
  9. ^ "Past IMA Programs".
  10. ^ "8th Annual Independent Music Awards Finalists Announced". Top40-Charts.com.
  11. ^ "Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band Live at the Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY, August 12, 2008". May 12, 2009.
  12. ^ a b "So happy together: Birmingham musicians Kate Taylor and Taylor Hollingsworth unite for Dead Fingers". al. March 2, 2012.
  13. ^ "SouthSounds Preview: Dead Fingers (Birmingham)". Mod Mobilian.
  14. ^ "12 Alabama Bands You Should Listen To Now". pastemagazine.com. May 7, 2013.
  15. ^ "Craig 'Sweetdog' Pickering, Taylor Hollingsworth need extras for SDX video shoot today". al. July 31, 2012.
  16. ^ "SDX – Team Love Records | New Paltz, NY". www.team-love.com.
  17. ^ "Album review". glidemagazine.com. July 11, 2014. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  18. ^ Matheson, Whitney. "Premiere: See Dead Fingers' 'Shoom Doom' video". USA TODAY.
  19. ^ "The Dexateens trying to 'survive the moment', as the Alabama rockers will hit Saturn in Birmingham". al. August 28, 2015.
  20. ^ "Dates". glidemagazine.com. January 21, 2016. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  21. ^ "Shop the Alabama Shakes Official Store". Shop the Alabama Shakes Official Store.
  22. ^ "September – October Tour Dates – Conor Oberst". www.conoroberst.com.
  23. ^ ""Too Late to Fixate" on The Late Late Show with James Corden – Conor Oberst". www.conoroberst.com.
  24. ^ a b "Conor Oberst performs "Too Late to Fixate" on James Corden – watch". May 11, 2017.
  25. ^ "New Year's Eve in Los Angeles: Top picks for the best ways to ring in 2018". December 26, 2017.
  26. ^ "TOUR NEWS: Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Oct 2018 – Conor Oberst". www.conoroberst.com.
  27. ^ Wilson, Carl (January 25, 2019). "Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers' New Album Is Both a Throwback and Perfectly Timed". Slate Magazine.
  28. ^ "Grounded in reality with Better Oblivion Community Center". The FADER.
  29. ^ "Where To Go, How To Get There, And What You Should Know In Advance, by Taylor Hollingsworth". Taylor Hollingsworth.
  30. ^ "Daily Dose: Taylor Hollingsworth, "Devil N Me"". pastemagazine.com. June 25, 2019.
  31. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth Tells the Tale of "Tap Dancin' Daddy" (premiere)". PopMatters. July 22, 2019.
  32. ^ "BETTER OBLIVION COMMUNITY CENTER". BETTER OBLIVION COMMUNITY CENTER.
  33. ^ "Dead Fingers at The Basement". June 27, 2012.
  34. ^ "Bio". ARTISTdirect. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  35. ^ "Secret Stages: Taylor Hollingsworth (Solo)". secretstages2011.sched.com.
  36. ^ "Magic City Art Connection – Bhamwiki". www.bhamwiki.com.
  37. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth Art Opening – Today in BIRMINGHAM".
  38. ^ "Imagination Festival « Magic City Art Connection". www.magiccityart.com.
  39. ^ Millard, Andre (April 4, 2017). Magic City Nights: Birmingham's Rock 'n' Roll Years. Wesleyan University Press. ISBN 9780819576996.
  40. ^ "Taylor Hollingsworth". The Nashville Bridge.
  41. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  42. ^ "Electrick Children (2012) – IMDb" – via www.imdb.com.
  43. ^ "Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – The Tonight Show with Jay Leno – Get-Well-Cards". idobi.com.
  44. ^ "Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson – Moab". idobi.com.
  45. ^ "Conor Oberst Plays A New Song For Conan". November 12, 2008.
  46. ^ "Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band – Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson – Cape Canaveral". idobi.com.
  47. ^ "Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band: "Spoiled" (Live on David Letterman) (video)". PopMatters. July 7, 2009.

External links edit