Taylor Johnson
Taylor Johnson, one of the best examples in the local music business of enthusiastically going after what you want and not stopping until you reach it. You might recognise him from his many projects and over 10 years in the creative, music and radio scene. Or you might know him from his new show on BBC Introducing on Radio Ulster, a gorgeously curated weekly show of new local and international music.
We interviewed Taylor about his inspiring career journey, local music recommendations, his life as a musician in Brand New Friend and his advice to anyone setting off on a similar path.
You are the voice of platforming new music in Northern Ireland, congratulations! Was this something you always knew you wanted to do?
Hi guys, thank you so much! I can honestly say that BBC Introducing has been the holy grail for me in broadcasting since I was a kid.
When I realised that Arsenal probably weren't going to sign me, long before I'd picked up a guitar myself, I would dream of either presenting Match Of The Day or being the next John Peel, Dave Fanning, Zane Lowe or Mike Edgar.
These presenters lived and breathed new, alternative, indie music and the idea of helping to grow a band or artist by playing tunes on the radio just felt electric. I would pretend to interview Noel and Liam Gallagher in my head, practice fictional links in my bedroom and just dream of one day hearing that 'BBC Introducing' sting with my name on it. It's so class and I think the music being made here is the best in the world.
Tell us a bit about your career journey and is there anything you would have done differently if you could go back?
Well my journey is definitely not the norm for the broadcast industry, but I honestly wouldn't change a thing. It properly started when I was about sixteen, busking in Belfast in the rain. I knew I wanted to try and get into radio, but hadn't a clue how to properly start.
Now (I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing this), I'd been emailing people at different radio stations for months and getting no reply, so in my head the best way to make contact was to just walk into the place. So I strolled into Broadcasting House, guitar in hand, soaked by the rain, and told the lady on reception that I had a meeting with my indie-radio hero Mike Edgar. Amazingly, Mike walked in from his lunch just as I was sitting waiting for our fictional meeting and invited me into his office. I'll never forget him asking, 'What can I do for you son?' and I told him I wanted to present Across The Line - which was BBC Introducing's original name over here, the show that he helped to create back in the 80's.
Mike put me in touch with Paul McClean, who was the producer at that time, and between the two of them and later Rory McConnell, they gave me opportunities to make mini documentaries, features and gig reports. I got to hang out with the presenters and learn from Rigsy and Stuart Bailie, all these incredible people who were so encouraging. Then I went out on the road with my band for a few years, and came back to eventually present the show myself.
There's a few mad years in between all this, but that's basically my life story!
Being a musician in Brand New Friend must add to your understanding of and skills as a broadcaster, how do you think your past experiences add to your work now?
That's a fantastic question, I fully believe brand new friend has helped in so many ways. Mainly, it's been through making mates within the scene and introducing me to tonnes of unbelievably talented artists.
I was with a few mates last night and the conversation came up about the best gigs we've ever been to, and for me it's hard to beat Careerist at the Menagerie in Belfast, not long after they'd formed. I've never seen a band so visceral and immediate and intelligent.
We went on tour with Cherym and they blew me away night after night, I've seen Problem Patterns literally screaming through a megaphone, shaking the vibrations of buildings. I got to see Rainy Boy Sleep, completely unplugged in the Oh Yeah Centre.
All these things feed into the job, because you get to be a part of it, and feel like you belong somewhere. It made me so proud to be in a band in the scene, and as a result I took the scene over here to heart. I remember that every time I broadcast, because it means something and it's important.
You’re in a unique position to give new artists a voice via the radio airwaves, and there are so many brilliant musicians around at the moment. How do you and the team choose who to play on the show?
I'm very fortunate that the team trusts me to choose tracks from the BBC Introducing Uploader, and it's something I take really seriously. There's me, Rory McConnell and Shauna Ennis on the team and we all feed ideas to each other and keep an eye out for what's new. The scene is buzzing at the moment, Jonny Woods is an unreal producer and some of the music he's been creating has been insane, bands like Consolers and Midnight Housework sounding massive. Let alone his own band, Wynona Bleach, who are working on a new record at the moment. Then there's the likes of Disorder, Madams Last Discovery, Charlie Hanlon, The Girlfriend Complex, Panic Over, Penny's Band...I could go on! Danny Ball is a wonder producer, Michael Bell is smashing it alongside Rocky in the Oh Yeah Centre. Julie McLarnon at Analogue Catalogue just made the new AM Shanley record, that's just beautiful. Niall Doran and Graham Davidson too, we're so lucky to have the talent here. It's a real privilege to try and help some of those artists and producers in any way I can.
You have so many strings to your bow and the one we would like to ask about now is journalism, your reviews read like short stories championing artists in a really constructive way. Can you explain your process behind those?
Thanks so much, that's really lovely of you to say. I started a blog/website not long after I started contributing to ATL called 'Encore NI', and I treated it like a full time job, even though I never made any money from it. I just wanted to shout about the amazing bands around me, Stuart Bailie helped a lot as well, giving me the chance to write for his Dig With It magazine. I spent a month in London working for the NME as well, where I learned under some sensational journalists, so I think a lot of my prose comes from them and that sort of background. My process is simple; be honest, be authentic and channel passion wherever possible. That's always been my strong point, I'm an emotional person and I think if I care about what I'm writing, someone else might too.
What are your top 3 favourite things about your work at the moment?
All of it is just class, but If I had to pick three...
1. Discovering new artists (like a band called Runner most recently, Search Results and Holly Maguire too - this was just in the last week!)
2. Getting reaction videos from bands and artists who are hearing their music being played for the first time - because I remember what it was like (and still is!) for brand new friend and that feeling is unlike anything else.
3. Pressing play on a track that means something to me, and knowing it's about to resonate with a load of people.
Connection is everything, and creating a BBC Introducing community. I'm so proud to be doing that.
Which bands or artists are you most excited about?
Aw mate, I think I've mentioned most of them above! I'll add Ciaran Lavery, Joshua Burnside and Bui to that list, because they're some of my favourite artists of all time. I love the new New Dad stuff, Chalk are just scary talented. Winnie Ama is just hitting it out of the park. The rap scene is strong too, Koback and Leo Miyagee making waves. It's good to see.
For new artists or budding journalists or broadcasters, what are the most valuable nuggets of advice you could offer?
It's interesting, because everyone's journey is going to be different and everyone will develop at different stages and different timelines. That's the same for broadcasters, musicians and footballers too. So I'd say whatever you're doing, take your time and don't rush. Try not to panic when things aren't going your way, because even if it takes an age, it'll turn. It will come good, if you don't give up and keep trying. I've lived and breathed music pretty much my entire life, I heard CMAT talking about that recently and I think that pretty much sums it all up. I'd follow CMAT's advice everyday of the week. Good on ya Ciara.
Tune into Taylor or catch up on past shows here