The Crash Native

By Brittany Frederick

Electro-rock quartet Taylored is crashing onto the scene with a new single and an important live performance this month. BFTV snagged some time with the group's lead vocalist, Austin Taylor, and bassist-vocalist Zane Decker as the guys were preparing for Saturday's End Cancer Concert benefit show in New York.

Taylored knows how to put together some catchy music, but what emerges upon talking to Austin and Zane is that they're equally focused on the image that they present. They don't just want to talk about the music, but what it means to them to be musicians. "I think that the important thing is, a lot of people in the music industry and the music world, when they get to a certain level of notoriety, I feel like they don't really care about people," reflected Zane. "We genuinely, actually care. That makes me feel so good. And I want people to know we appreciate everything that's been given to us. We just love what we do."

That same positive attitude extends to how the band members work with each other as well. "We understand that there's going to be problems and fights," said Austin, explaining the dynamic between himself, Zane, drummer Andrei Koribanics and guitarist Tim Holmes. "What we try and do is if we have a problem, we say something. We're not the bottling type. We say it when it is relevant. At the same time, we also just try and have fun. That's the most important part. We almost view each other as brothers and not just bandmates."

The foursome are relatively new to the music scene, with just two singles to their name, "Deep End" and the more recent "Simple," while they prepare to head into the recording studio later this year. However, they already have goals in mind for their future. "I'm aiming to be [at] the top of the charts, and I believe Zane's aiming for the same thing," said Austin, who still remembers "when we used to play and there used to be five people."

"I always kind of thought that no matter what, if I'm able to support myself and my future family, I'm fine," added his bandmate.

They might still be working on breaking through to commercial success, but that hasn't stopped the guys of Taylored from carrying themselves like industry veterans. Asked if they feel like professional musicians yet, Austin told us, "I think it kind of comes in steps. We've had successes where we see that it's finally becoming a reality. We can do this for our lives. We released our first official music video, and then we started opening up for some bigger bands."

"I know me personally, I feel like a professional caliber musician and vocalist, even though I'm not getting paid like one," added Zane. "I consider myself a professional in the sense that I go to the show, I show up on time, I put on the best show I possibly can."

No matter where the band may take them next, Austin and Zane aren't going to lose sight of the places they've been, or the people that they've been there with. "We love giving back to people," said Austin. "We also just want to thank everybody that's enabled us. I always wanted to thank my sister. She always promotes us; she goes out of her comfort zone [to do so]. I also want to thank all of the press people that have helped us."

You get the feeling that when they become successful, he'll be that guy who thanks the caterer, the dry cleaner, and the driver. Or maybe he'll be the guy that won't want any of those at all. With tunes that are guaranteed to get stuck in your head, and obviously having theirs screwed on properly, the guys of Taylored are set to make a splash.

Check out their single "Simple" below.

(c)2013 Brittany Frederick. Appears at Starpulse with permission. All rights reserved. No reproduction permitted. Visit my official website and follow me on Twitter at @tvbrittanyf. - Starpulse.com

http://thecrashnative.com/2013/11/16/the-crash-native-formerly-taylored-releases-new-demo-songs/ - The Crash Native

Unique Summer Program — Held At University Of Southern California in Los Angeles and in Brooklyn, N.Y. — Brings Youth Together With Outstanding Artists And Music Industry Professionals

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (June 23, 2011) — The GRAMMY Foundation® announced today that 111 talented high school students from 93 cities and 34 states across the United States have been selected as participants in the seventh annual GRAMMY Camp®. The Foundation’s signature music industry camp for U.S. high school students will be held in both Los Angeles from July 9–18 at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and New York from Aug. 2–8 in Brooklyn, N.Y.


Held for the past six years in Los Angeles, the program is expanding to the East Coast to reach a broader range of students. Students were able to apply to either or both sessions of GRAMMY Camp, and tuition was discounted for participation in both sessions. Financial aid is available and approximately 70 percent of GRAMMY Camp participants who have applied for financial aid have received assistance. This program is supported in part by Best Buy, Converse, and the Hot Topic Foundation.

"Our GRAMMY Camps offer young people highly interactive settings created by GRAMMY®-winning artists and industry professionals where they can explore a range of careers in the music industry, and with the launch of our New York camp we've enrolled the largest number of GRAMMY Campers to date," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy® and the GRAMMY Foundation. "Everything about this experience is unique and challenging in the best possible sense, and as we enter our seventh year, I take great pride in the role GRAMMY Camp has played in helping teens achieve their musical goals, as well as fostering friendships and musical collaborations that continue beyond the program."

The list of guest artists and music industry professionals participating in the 2011 GRAMMY Camp will be announced shortly. Past teaching artists include: singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles; producer Warryn Campbell; recording artist Brandi Carlile; two-timeGRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat; Jesse Carmichael and Adam Levine of three-time GRAMMY-winning group Maroon 5; recording artist Jason Castro; GRAMMY-winning songwriter/producer/recording artist Lamont Dozier; six-time GRAMMY-winning group Earth, Wind & Fire; DJ Faust; 16-time GRAMMY-winning producer David Foster; five-time GRAMMY winner, Recording Academy Chair Emeritus, and GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares® Board member Jimmy Jam; singer/songwriter Josh Kelley; saxophonist Dave Koz; songwriter/producer/recording artist Jeff Lorber; five-time GRAMMY-winning producer Manny Marroquin; recording artist Jesse McCartney; Minor Productions Inc. President/CEO and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" music director Rickey Minor; two-time GRAMMY-winning group Ozomatli; Recording Academy, GRAMMY Foundation, and MusiCares President/CEO Neil Portnow; recording artist Gavin Rossdale; DJ Shortee; three-time GRAMMY-winning guitarist Steve Vai; Sublime bassist Eric Wilson; and four-time GRAMMY-winning film composer Hans Zimmer, among others.

Financial assistance for GRAMMY Camp is offered to qualified students. This year, a portion of these resources was generously provided by ASCAP, BET, the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Fund, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and the Hot Topic Foundation, as well as several individual donors.

GRAMMY Camp L.A.: July 9–18, 2011
The program offers selected high school students an interactive 10-day residential summer music experience. Focusing on all aspects of commercial music, this unique opportunity provides instruction by industry professionals in an immersive creative environment with cutting-edge technology in professional facilities. The program offers six music career tracks: Audio Engineering; Concert Promotion/Production; Electronic Music Production; Music Journalism; Songwriting;and a performance track for Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal and Winds & Strings. All tracks culminate in media projects, CD recordings and/or showcase performances. GRAMMY Camp L.A. will be heldat the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music and other professional venues throughout Los Angeles. A showcase concert will conclude the program on Sunday, July 17 at El Rey Theatre.

GRAMMY Camp N.Y.: Aug. 2–8, 2011
GRAMMY Camp N.Y. is a seven-day residential program for high school students that will be held in New York. It offers campers the opportunity to work in integrated industry teams consisting of three fields: Music Business & Production; Singer/Songwriter; and Performance for Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Vocal and Winds & Strings. This real-world, hands-on environment will provide an in-depth look at the entire creative process from the first spark of original material through the promotion of a finished product, and will culminate in a launch party at the Best Buy Theater in Ti - The Recording Academy

LIVINGSTON, NJ - Livingston teen and musical performer Austin Taylor Zudeck has been selected to participate in the GRAMMY Foundation’s® Seventh Annual GRAMMY® Camp in Los Angeles July 9 – 18. There he will meet and work with various music industry stars and star-makers, while learning about all aspects of commercial music.

“This is an absolute dream of mine,” the sixteen-year-old musician said. “I discovered my love for singing at a very young age and I come from a musical family."

Austin, who goes by the stage name Austin Taylor, is the only student from the Tri-State area selected for the west coast program's vocalist track. He was chosen among applications and audition tapes submitted from around the country for one of the approximately 75 spots at the L.A. camp.

“It feels amazing to have been selected. It is such an honor to be able to work with some of my mentors; it’s just mind-blowing,” he said. “I really look forward to meeting other teenagers from across the country. It will be great to experience it with them."

An eleventh grader at Livingston High School, Austin is a pop/rock/alternative singer and writer. His band, Beyond the Summit, has been playing throughout the Tri State area since early 2011 and is scheduled to perform at the New Jersey State Fair in the Meadowlands June 25th and June 30th. The band will also participate in the CAMPLIFIED Tour later this summer, including a performance for the children of 9/11 at Camp Haze (http://www.Camplified.com).

Austin is currently in the studio with GRAMMY award winner Earl Cohen. He has played with Tom Kafafian (Fool for You) of Lady Gaga and worked with guitar great Nick Moroch on his song "Fear Stained Heart.”

Austin says that his songs are derived from personal experiences. “I try to write songs that people can relate to. It’s about making music that tells people what you’re feeling,” he said.

The GRAMMY Camp students’ interactive music experience will occur in professional facilities with cutting-edge technology. “I hope to learn a whole new insight on the music industry,” Austin said. “To be successful, you have to anticipate what people want to hear… you have to be one step ahead. I will take in as much as I can while I am there."

Throughout the week in L.A., Austin will be blogging about his GRAMMY camp experience through his myspace page http://www.myspace.com/austintaylorzudeck/blog.
Austin hopes that his participation in the camp will bring him one step closer to his dream of becoming a successful performer. “One of my goals is to sell out Madison Square Garden and to play at the GRAMMYs,” he said.

His musical philosophy is simple and uplifting: “ I want people to walk out of my show happier than they came in. I want to take them to a good place. It’s all about the smiles.” - The Alternative Press

NEW YORK (WABC) -- He's got a big voice and big dreams. Now Austin Taylor Zudeck may have gotten a big break.

"I was at work get a call from some California number and said, 'I have some good news for you'. That's a dream come true." Austin Taylor Zudeck said.

A dream that's about to take the 16-year-old from his Livingston, New Jersey basement to Los Angeles, for the Grammy Foundation's 7th Annual Camp. For 10 days, he'll be learning from the best in the music industry. Last year, Colbie Caillat and Adam Levine were guest artists.

"Anything I can take from them," Zudeck said, "I'm just honored to be graced by their presence."

Zudeck is just one of 10 vocalists chosen from across the country.

He performs with his band throughout the East Coast. The best part about this opportunity is that he gets to meet his idols.

"I love '30 Seconds to Mars', so I would love for Jared Leto to be there," Zudeck said.

But it's not all about who is there. It's about getting as much advice a possible and bringing it back to the studio.

Nat Janoff has been giving Zudeck guitar lessons for four years. He says he's bound for stardom.

But for now, this aspiring musician is just eager to make good music.

(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) - ABC NYC