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By day, MJ Taylor is a nurse in a maximum security prison. He
won the respect of inmates by slogging a softball between the
rows of razor-wire during a staff-versus-prisoners game. The
ball sits there to this day, stuck in no-mans land.
There isn't a trace of prison-nurse institutionalism in his
personality, or his music for that matter. He is becalmed like
a yacht on a windless day. His music is fluid and peaceful,
enchanting in its unusual chord progressions and captivating
in its simple finger-picked style. His voice is gravely and
resonant, raw yet refined, brimming with acoustic quality and
broken passion in the same breath.
MJ
is now 28. He grew up in rural Victoria, then spent several
years dwelling on the seaside in Jan Juc on the glorious Great
Ocean Road. More recently he moved to Melbourne to participate
in that city's vibrant music scene.
MJ's distinctive vocal style is the first element of his
music that grabs the listener's attention. It floats above
his effortless guitar work, which utilises basic chords
in a style so captivating it belies their simplicity, and
unique tunings and finger-picking so soothing it belies
its complexity.
It's a style that has its origins overseas. It was while
living in Spain on a working holiday that MJ devoted himself
to serious performing. The Spanish language has stayed with
him and permeates his lyrics. Open mike nights and small
gigs in London
and France saw his sojourn become a de-facto first tour.
Upon returning home, after nearly 3 years abroad, MJ set about establishing an solid
reputation on the Surf Coast through regular gigs at venues
such as the Sandbah Café and Surfrider Café.
Since then he has gone on to play regular gigs around Melbourne,
appearing alongside the likes of Tim Rodgers, Ash Grunwald, Carus,
Rob Sawyer, The Audreys, Saritah
and the Dave Mann Collective. He has appeared at the Folk Rhythm
and Life Music Festival in 2004 & 2005, the 2005 Quiksilver Pro
and the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in 2004, 2005 & 2006.
Over the last year he has regularly toured to New Zealand,
playing shows in South Island snow fields to packed bars. He
has also toured as far as North Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Mid 2006 will see MJ tour through South Australia, Western
Australia and re-visit the Northern Territory.
Now he is readying to begin a busy year of recording and
touring.
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