Tayloranne & Daniel

Tayloranne & Daniel (and Clover the dog) were residents and collaborators at the Sanctuary in an official capacity. They balanced their public duties and their private lives with grace, elegance, and the necessary boundaries. Sometimes I wouldn’t see them at all; sometimes they’d float by with a smile and continue on with their business. 

Daniel’s sage wisdom and casual guidance that really made this album what it is. He reminded me that recording is supposed to be fun and he helped me see it as not too precious. He instilled in the work the ethos of the hip hop mix tape: make a bunch of stuff, put it out there, and let it find whatever life it finds.

Tayloranne brought a consistent and encouraging energy that always seemed to show up at the same time as my inner critic. She shut him up right quick. Somehow, she makes things less stressful while still retaining a sense of importance, hard work, and urgency.

Clover the dog was with me for the entire recording process. Mostly, she laid in the sun. Once in awhile, she’d move to a different place and her collar would chime. Sometimes her timing was perfect and those bells became part of the album. 

Tayloranne & Daniel are also a theatrical folk duo called the Cowtown Serenaders and their beautiful new album is called “Dream Songs for the Endless Weekend.” It came out in the long ago on February 2nd, 2020. The last show I played in front of a live audience was their release show at The Lost Church in San Francisco on 2/20/20. 

Then: we took part in the ancient ritual of live performance together. We got to the space early, carried a bunch of stuff in there (including their magic trunk of puppets and scenery), hung out, played a show, exchanged many droplets with the audience, hugged all around, carried a bunch of stuff back to the car, and went home with that fulfilling buzz in our bodies and souls that all performers cherish.

Now: it’s September. The endless weekend continues. Their soothing and relaxed recording is the perfect antidote to the chaos raging outside and within: https://soundsofthesanctuary.bandcamp.com/album/dream-songs-for-the-endless-weekend.