In this interview spotlight, I chat with Taylor Castro about the latest music, technology, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I was born in a rural area of South Florida, right between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. I’d say my music tells stories through ambience and lyrical thought.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

As a little girl, I was always writing songs and trying to make them myself on Garageband. Up until I was 15, I had almost expected the dream to work itself out on its own. That was ridiculous, of course, but it was what the movies told me. I really got the kick to make my first album after watching a cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s song “Too Young.” I looked to my boyfriend, Gabe, and told him that I think I could do that, that I want to. He told me to just go and do it then. So, I did. What keeps me going after six years is my inability to not write music. It just keeps coming out. It’d be a disservice to whatever supernatural entity that inspiration comes from to not see it through.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

My debut album PURE was created at a time in my life when I was consumed with detoxification. It took these cliché ideals and defied the idea that they were unoriginal. I believe clichés are the product of filtered philosophies over the history of mankind. In other words, they’re “cliché” because they’re true. I love PURE, but I realized it lacked a sense of empathy. I was telling people to feel this way or do this thing and didn’t make it clear to them that I was really talking to myself. GIRL, AFRAID, my upcoming album, is meant to clarify that confusion and comfort those who are craving detoxification but aren’t there quite yet.

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

At the core of my work, I’m a songwriter. I think the biggest challenge in the modern age of music is a lack of credit for brilliant writing (which is overall attached to flaws in our education system). It pains me to see such a lack of popularity for the most incredible songwriters today simply because they refuse to dumb their work down, even if that means settling for a limited fanbase. That being said, the most amazing part of this modern age of music is that the niche artists are able to find a fanbase at all. Artists can connect with their people from all over the world and really get to know them. That’s an invaluable bond.

What was the last song you listened to?

“this is me trying” by Taylor Swift. It’s such a great running song.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

MP3s! I can’t play a vinyl in my headphones.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why? 

Honestly, I find a lot of my favorite music today through Pandora. Recently, I’ve mostly used Apple Music, though. I just like the layout for knowing exactly what song I want to hear.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

My Instagram is @taylordaniellecastro and my Twitter is @taylor_castroo I can be found on Youtube at Taylor Castro and my music is on all music streaming platforms!

Anything else before we sign off?

Stay safe out there, friends!