We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Sure, I’ve been fortunate enough to be a full time creative now for almost 10 years.

In 2014, I’d been grinding it out as an ‘after work’ musician for about 6 years. I would wake up crazy early to go to a desk job that was an hour from my home, put in my 8 hours, drive the hour back and THEN be a musician. It was honestly draining. Trying to be creative at the end of a long day when all you want to do is relax is hard. It’s something all musicians face at the beginning, but that doesn’t make it any easier. It was at that point I discovered the ‘do it anyway’ muscle — and learned to strengthen it.

The ‘do it anyway’ muscle is exercised when you’re facing a challenge — something that’s going to require commitment and effort. When that little voice inside you wants to quit, THAT’S when you push through. The ‘do it anyway’ muscle is 100% essential for anyone that wants to make headway in anything. Career goals, fitness goals, economic goals, even relationship goals… they all require substantial effort and the sacrifice of today’s carefree comfort for tomorrow’s self success.

After countless nights and weekends performing, writing, rehearsing, and barely sleeping, I started having small successes. Tiny moments that lifted my spirits, gave me hope, and motivated me to keep working toward the next one. I remember my first official paying gig — it was at an outdoor winery in Malibu, CA. I was offered $50 to perform for 3 hours and I was elated! Getting paid to do what I love?! Yes please! That gig turned into several others, I started to build a fan base, people were buying my music and merchandise, coming to the next show, and then the next show … and before I knew it, I was making decent money.

But you can’t just go from “decent money” to being a full time musician. You need a plan.

At the time, I lived and worked in Simi Valley, CA — a middle-class town with sky high rents, corporate jobs, and a friendly vibe. I knew I wanted to quit my day job, but I needed to slowly tip the income scales; ramp up the performance income so I could wean myself from my 9-5 dependence. To do this, it was 100% a numbers game. Emailing, cold calling, and making personal visits to venues and business that might be interested in having me perform. I worked my way from earning $50 for 3 hours, to earning $75 per hour. At 3 hours per show, I was earning $225 for every gig I took … not including sales or tips. So I did the math.. how many shows did I need each month to get by? The answer for me at the time, was 17. So I got to work reaching out to business and trying to book myself all over Southern California.

At first, it started with the weekends — Friday, Saturday, Sunday. I would double and sometimes triple book myself so that I could make sure I was hitting my monthly need. After I was consistently booking 16-17 shows a month,… I realized I also needed to downsize my spending … which meant moving to a less expensive area.

I scoured the internet looking for rentals I could afford. I searched within a 100 mile radius and eventually found a home that was not only $500 less each month, but also much bigger. It was an hour from Los Angeles and all my friends, but it was worth it. Now I was really ready to fully commit.

I gave my two week notice, lined up my new move in date, booked myself out as far as I could …. and took a leap of faith.

I’d covered all my bases, planned everything down to the letter … and now, the real work would begin.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Of course! I have become many things over my time as a creative, but I am first and forever, a singer/songwriter.

I started my journey back in 2008. I’d been a classical musician since the 3rd grade, but in 2008, I decided I wanted to be a pop star! Haha, I didn’t really know what that meant or what I actually wanted, but at the time, it was a direction and a goal. I learned early on that writing your own material can be a gold mine — there are many talented singers out there, but only one person that sees the world the way you do — so why not reach for the stars and really go for it!

The only problem for me at the time, was that I didn’t know how to play any accompanying instruments. I knew music and had played the clarinet for most of my formidable years, but I didn’t know how to play anything that would allow me to sing AND play at the same time. I tried the guitar first, but found it to be confusing and hard on the fingers. So I defaulted to an instrument I already knew and understood, the piano.

I didn’t have any money to buy a piano, or a keyboard, so I looked to the internet for a miracle. Craigslist was my go to site — and there, amidst the used mattresses and old gardening tools was an ad for a FREE PIANO… all I had to do was pick it up. The only problem, was that the rental cost of a truck needed to pick it up was $300 .. and that’s literally all the money I had in the world. I’d been saving my money for a refrigerator — the home I was renting didn’t come with one.. and I was eating too much chef boyardee. So I weighed my options… ditch the chef or get the piano. I chose the piano. I drove out, picked up my new piano, and took her home.

I was so excited to finally be a contemporary musician! I got to work fast. I learned how to play the piano, watching the tuning technician fiddle around, teaching myself how to use both hands, trying to sing and play at the same time. I spent 5-6 hours every single day practicing until I was good enough to perform.

Then I looked for band mates. Again I went to Craigslist, placed an ad, and within a week had a brand new ensemble. We started writing songs together… they were absolutely awful… but it was fun and .. it was a jumping off point.

I started going to music conventions that taught the art of songwriting and the music business in general. I soaked it all up like a sponge. I put in my ten thousand hours and then some until I was finally “good.” (to me, being ‘great’ is subjective … but being good … is an objective fact).

I found people to work with that were more skilled than I … folks that had been on the path longer than me, and that had numerous accolades to account for their talent and time. I learned from them. I was a student every second of every day.

And then one day, I started to feel skilled. I felt like a craftsman — or craftswoman as it were. Making music is an art .. writing melodies and lyrics that rest perfectly overtop an organic musical composition is a craft… and those with the ability to hone that skill are part of an incredible, but small group. After years and years of effort, I finally felt like I belonged in that group.

I wrote songs that got on the radio, in tv, film, on airplanes, and in overheads across the world. I was booking myself and performing over 200 shows per year. I was working with multi-grammy winning producers and engineers… so now what?

During the pandemic, a real spotlight was put on the music industry for me. Where money can be earned, where talent can be found, and how I can fit into all of it.

I decided I wanted to start helping my fellow artists. As I said at the start of all this, I am first and forever an artist myself, but now that I have so much experience and knowledge — I decided I wanted to shine light on others. Help them achieve their own versions of success.

Today, I own and operate a three pronged music company called Kimble & Taylor Productions. I produce independent artists — working with them on song structure, lyrics, music, and of course recording. I also book artists at venues throughout Southern California. — working with the best artists at an extremely competitive pay scale. Lastly, I have a sync library that I am constantly adding musicians to.

Making money in the business happens many ways and I try to expose artists and their music to every single avenue.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Absolutely!

There are a ton — let me list a few.

First, ASCAP, BMI, & SESAC — these performing rights organizations (PROs) were instrumental in helping me learn the basics of music rights. They also host singer/songwriter nights in cities across North America highlighting artists of all genres.

SONA — The Songwriter’s of North America. This organization is made up of the best songwriters in the world. They educate, advocate and include everyone.

Bandzoogle — this platform allows each musician to build a high fidelity website that will impress at any stage. If you’re just starting out, you’ll still look like a pro. Having a personal website is a must as an artist. It’s the central hub for your music. You can talk about your shows, sell merchandise, get people excited about upcoming releases, premier videos … anything and everything!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Go to more shows.

In my opinion, live performance is where a musician cuts their teeth. They need audience feedback. So if your friend or family member is performing somewhere, even if it’s a small, free show in someone’s backyard… go. Support them — in person.

Other than that .. if you’re a distance from an artist and you can’t physically show your support, engage with them online. Listen to their music, watch their videos, COMMENT on their posts. Silent observers don’t do anything. Not for our education, our confidence, or even the algorithm that governs the platform. Engage, listen, save, comment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DanielleTaylorMusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielletaylormusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielletaylormusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/danielletaylormusic
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/danielletaylor_
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/danielletaylormusic
• Other: https://kimble-and-taylor.com https://chancerecordings.com