As we’re sitting in a call, Taylor Morgan is delicately perusing a library of sub basses, listening intricately as he previews a sound and then moves on to the next, searching for the perfect rumble that will sit well under the beat he’s crafting. Once he finds one he’s satisfied with, he begins laying down notes, but is soon interrupted by his dog, Lily. I hear Taylor inquire, “Who’s a good girl?” followed by the sound of excited canine breathing.
You wouldn’t expect 22-year-old Taylor Morgan, hailing from Jonesboro, Arkansas, to be effortlessly creating soundscapes that would boast big name features, but you would be mistaken. Taylor’s beats host a range of vocal talents. Fantasy Camp, Velvetears, Barren, and most recently a Wicca Phase Springs Eternal / Lil B collaboration, to name a few.
What inspired you to get into producing music?
I’ve always loved music but never really had the motivation to learn instruments. Back in high school, I got really into electronic music and eventually some rap like Yung Lean and Denzel Curry. I had only really listened to bands up until then, so it was all new to me and I loved it. I had a couple buddies in high school that made beats and dubstep around that time and I gave it a shot, but it wasn’t for me. I decided to try again as a hobby about a year and a half ago and here I am. It’s still just a hobby but I obviously take it a lot more seriously than I thought I ever would. Shout out to Entai, Atlas, and a bunch of other friends that helped me out.
Who did you listen to growing up? Do you incorporate any of those sounds into your own work?
Most of my childhood was listening to bands that I would find through Limewire or games like Guitar Hero and stuff, and then I remember finding bands like Alesana and Heavyheavylowlow in 7th grade and I fell in love with trying to find cool music. I definitely try and incorporate the stuff I listen to in my music. My three phases of music were emo bands, EDM, and rap and I try and infuse the feelings you get from all three of those with my own little twist.
What was your first big track that you think put you in the scope of larger artists?
“When We Were Younger“ by Velvetears. It was the first song to ever go up produced by me. I was so excited to hear it for the first time.
What’s the music scene like in Jonesboro, Arkansas?
When it comes to this type of music, it’s pretty much a wasteland. There are a couple people rapping and making beats, but I can count the good ones on one hand. We have some really cool bands though.
How does it feel to have produced a track for a Wicca Phase / Lil B collab?
Surreal. My favorite musician of all time and my favorite rapper of all time on one of my beats. Can’t even put into words how I felt when Wicca hit me up and just asked me “Do you like Lil B?”.
What’s the weirdest way someone has tried to get free beats from you?
I don’t get a whole lot of people trying to finesse me for free beats cause I shut them down quick, but I have had someone invite me to stay at his house.
What is Garden Ave?
Garden Avenue is the best producer collective in the dang world. It’s a group of internet friends just making music that we like. It just comes natural because all of us do very similar things, but in our own way. It’s super refreshing to have a group of friends on the internet that I can talk to about about personal stuff and work on music with so easily. I bet you a collab beat is made from that chat every 2 days. We are working on a really really good tape at the moment as well so be on the lookout for that.
What is your favorite track that you’ve produced?
Really hard to say, I love all of them! Anything I have made with Mixed Matches is probably my favorite. He’s the best artist out at the moment in my opinion.
If you could work with any artist of your choice, what would your dream collaboration be?
Should we be expecting any cohesive solo projects in the near future?
I have some stuff I am working on but I am very indecisive on what I put out, but hopefully an album or at least an EP soon.
Any parting words for our readers?
Shout out my friends, shout out my dog Lily, shout out Underground Underdogs.
Stream Taylor Morgan produced “Waiting Here” Featuring Wicca Phase Springs Eternal & Lil B below