Mark Taylor is an acoustic based singer/songwriter from Chicago, Illinois.

His new album, No Closer To Home, is a collection of songs influenced by folk, blues, and alternative music.

In this interview, we get Mark’s perspective on indie music in Chicago and discuss what led up to him going solo and releasing this album.

Click play below and enjoy the show.

From the top, who are you? Where are you from? What style of music do you create?

Hello, I’m Mark Taylor, and I’m from Chicago. As far as style goes, it is hard to categorize my music. It is a little bit of this and that: an acoustic based singer/songwriter/rock/folk/blues/alternatvive kind of mix I suppose.

You have been at this for a while. Can you briefly tell us a little about your journey from playing in
Tumbling Dice to where you are now with this solo album?

I really just started performing and seriously playing music 6 years ago. About a year before that, I had decided that after many years of wishing I would finally get out there and get into a band. I had a couple tryouts as just a singer that didn’t work out, until I came across a Craigslist ad looking for a singer in a Stones band, the band that would become Tumbling Dice. Over the years I got a lot better at playing guitar and started playing solo acoustic cover shows in 2009. Around the same time, I wrote my first song. But it wasn’t until the end of 2010 when I was laid off from my job and had a whole lot of time to write a big chunk of songs. And it was with the layoff that I decided to try to make a living playing music. I can happily say it has worked out. I get to do what I love for a living and feel very fortunate.

We all know Chicago has a vibrant music scene, but can you share your thoughts about it? What does the indie music scene in the Windy City look like from the perspective of Mark Taylor?

I love it. I’m a new participant in the scene, with this being my first release and first time I’m playing original music shows, but I’ve always enjoyed the Chicago music scene as a music fan. The city is full of very talented people and there are so many great venues. Over the last couple months as I’ve been getting out there, I’ve been meeting some other cool people that have been friendly and supportive. I’m hoping to make my mark in the scene in the coming years.

What inspires your sound? Who influences your playing style?

I would say as far as sound, playing style, and even songwriting style, my largest influence is Neil Young. I don’t think my stuff ends up sounding like him too much, but his music and his recording and songwriting process inspired these songs. I like the way he tries to capture the moment in recording, not overthinking, or even being overly worried about things being “perfect.” That was the underlying thought during the recording of my album

What was the last song you listened to?

Whatever the last track on the Atoms for Peace album is. Ok I looked it up, it’s Amok.

Have your music tastes changed over time? What did you listen to as a kid? What do you listen to now?

I was a 90’s teenager and my first loves musically were the bands from the early 90’s: Tool, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, NIN, Soundgarden, STP, Smashing Pumpkins. OK Computer was monumental for me when I was a junior in high school. Then I got into Deftones and Incubus and even some real heavy stuff, some Chicago death metal via local legends Cianide. I’ve always loved the Beatles since I was a kid but it was only as I got a little older that I became more interested in the classics from 60’s and 70’s. And as I was starting to do solo acoustic stuff and trying to write songs, I got into singer/songwriter stuff and old school country and old school blues. I am very musically open minded. I’m for anything and everything, as long as it sounds good. I try to absorb it all, enjoy it, and maybe learn a thing or two.

What can we expect when we push play on No Closer To Home?

You can expect a collection of songs that express my heart and soul and are an eclectic mix of my many musical influences. They are simple but passionate. And when I did it, I set out to make an album, not just a bunch of songs. And I was going for a warmer, older sound, so I think it might come off as a bit of a throwback album.

Do you actively gig? Any tours in the future?

I’m trying to get my music off the ground out here and I feel my career is in its infancy. I had played a couple solo acoustic shows and they were ok, but I really wanted to play my songs with a full band. It just has more energy and grabs people better. So it was last week that I just got done with my first full band show at Martyrs’ here in Chicago and it was a lot of fun and was exactly what I was looking for. As of right now, I’m working on some dates for the next band show. If I tour, and I would like to one of these days, I think I may start small and play some solo acoustic shows and see how that goes. But I want to get things going in Chicago first.

Did you have any help on this album? Did you work with any outside musicians and/or producers?

I recorded it at my good friend Jonathan Clardy’s studio, Progression Productions. He was the producer and helped direct the way the songs turned out. I recorded some parts myself, acoustic, bass, some electric and had some friends come in and fill in some other pieces. I loved what they came up with. There was Jeff Boll on keys, Jeff Jozwiak on lead guitar and dobro.

Where can we grab a copy of the album? Where can we connect with you online?

The album is on Itunes and Amazon (physical CD and MP3). My main contact page is on Facebook. Everyone should like me. I just started a Twitter and haven’t gotten that going yet.

Any last thoughts or shout outs?

I’m proud of the final product and I hope others out there can connect with my music and enjoy it. Share it with your friends and family. Thanks to everyone out there that has supported me and helped make this happen. And thanks to you guys for the interview.