Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and electronic producer Taylor Nelson aka Circuit Faker has released his new single, Ocular Therapy - the opening track of his debut forthcoming album, CIRCUMVOLVE. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
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He was previously a member of the bands Wiping Out Thousands, Tired Tongues, and The New Monarchs.
Speaking about his new track, Taylor says, "Ocular Therapy was the first demo track I began working on under the moniker Circuit Faker.
"Though it wasn't the first track to be completed, it became the best possible introduction to - and summation of - what Circuit Faker is."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am a multi-instrumentalist and self-taught producer that has worked on many electronic projects over the years but I haven't released a solo project until now, which has me very excited. I recently relocated from Minneapolis to a small town of around 700 people, nestled right on the river between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It's a completely different pace of life, but I love it. Oh, and I love greyhounds (I have a big 90lb boy named Apollo).
How would you describe your music?
Electroclash seems to be the most simplified term but, I try to not keep myself tied to any one specific genre. I play guitar, bass, drums, piano, and sing, but I also heavily leverage electronic production elements and sampling into my workflow - so whatever I can create with those tools at my disposal.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Everyone. Especially in this day and age. There is so much music to listen to and people to be inspired by. I could give you the easy answer and say that Radiohead is my favourite band of all time, but then I could also tell you that I can't stop listening to DIIV and Photay right now. My biggest inspiration for this latest record has been Rufus Du Sol, Tourist, Photay, and Fenech-Soler.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I went and saw Muse at a 400-person venue in Minneapolis back in 2004. It was right after the release of their album Absolution, and it was a wild sweaty mess. I think The Zutons opened? One of the best shows I've ever been to.
What was the first record you ever bought?
If we're talking vinyl, it was the special edition release of In Rainbows by Radiohead. I didn't have a record player at the time, but it didn't matter to me because I wanted the art book, the large format, and the CDs. I finally got around to getting a record player during the pandemic, and now my vinyl collection has grown by quite a bit. I'm starting to run out of space...
What's your favourite song right now?
POP POP POP by Idles. I was in LA for a few days recently and I had TANGK on rotation while I was stuck in traffic. It was a dreary, rainy day, and that album just fit the mood perfectly. POP POP POP was when everything clicked into place. Stellar record.
Favourite lyric of all time?
This is hard because I think all lyrics can be the best at any moment when considering the context of the song in which they support and the memories they can attach themselves to when listening to them. For instance, my wife and I are expecting a baby boy in June and the lyrics to Turn The World On by Bombay Bicycle Club have hit home recently. "You'll make a fine young man/You'll smooth it out, you'll see where I went wrong/You'll find your merry gang/They'll hang their bags a couple pegs along/They're leaving one by one/They're calling out, they're begging you to come." But then, there are lyrics that aren't as poignant but still resonate in a meaningful way like the closing line of There, There by Radiohead, "We are accidents waiting to happen" It's nothing groundbreaking on its own, but in the context of the song and the overall message conveyed, it's a great lyric. Everything's subjective and this feeling is constantly changing, just like the records on the player at home.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Midnight Souls Still Remain by M83. Seems fitting to me. If I had to choose a song that would underpin the rest of my life, I'd want something that never resolves and can sit nicely in the wings of my existence. It's also just a beautiful two chord loop that changes ever so slightly over time and is something I could never get sick of. Like listening to the lapping of waves on a beach or the wind through the trees.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find me on any streaming platform. Also, Instagram - @circuitfaker or this neat little landing page which links to everything, including the latest music video for Ocular Therapy.
Alan Corr
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