Interview w/Van Bellman- the promising new project from Zac Taylor
Van Bellman is the new project of Brooklynite Zac Taylor - who achieved renown as a talent musician while working with American Authors- and his debut single doesn't disappoint. 'I Hate To See You This Way' combines a powerful pulse with emotionally volatile vocals that would make Mark Oliver Everett nod approvingly.
There is a definite hint of the stonking anthem-esque thumping riffs of bands like Muse or Kaiser Chiefs which combined with Taylor's gritty yet vulnerable vocals makes for a heady cocktail. The lyrics are a moving empathetic plea to a loved one in the grips of self-destruction- that encaptulate contradictory feelings of love and frustration beautifully.
I caught up with Zac to find out a little more about the mind behind the project.
I caught up with Zac to find out a little more about the mind behind the project.
INTERVIEW:
Van Bellman feels like a very personal project, is it more freeing to have that creative
control to find your voice?
control to find your voice?
I have always played as a solo act on the side while working as a hired gun for other artists,
which is a very fun job, but a job nonetheless. And at your job, you need to make the boss
happy, whether it’s a singer, band, producer, manager, etc. But with my new project Van
Bellman, I’m my own boss, and I love having creative control, although it’s often hard to keep
this boss, i.e. myself, happy. I have learned so much by being a musician in NYC,
and I try to funnel all my experiences and tricks of the trade into this new band.
which is a very fun job, but a job nonetheless. And at your job, you need to make the boss
happy, whether it’s a singer, band, producer, manager, etc. But with my new project Van
Bellman, I’m my own boss, and I love having creative control, although it’s often hard to keep
this boss, i.e. myself, happy. I have learned so much by being a musician in NYC,
and I try to funnel all my experiences and tricks of the trade into this new band.
What inspired the name "Van Bellman"?
I have been playing just under my name Zac Taylor for quite a while and I felt like I needed a
new alias or identity to shake things up.
And the songs I have been writing and producing in the last year feel more like a band
than a solo act. My first job upon moving to NYC was carrying bags and getting taxis at the
Gansevoort hotel on Park Avenue. It was all hustle all the time. And it was a lot of work and a
lot of fun. You made cash tips based on how busy and charming you could be, not unlike the
music biz. So the name came from that experience. And it’s cheeky, sort of like saying
“sir servant.”
new alias or identity to shake things up.
And the songs I have been writing and producing in the last year feel more like a band
than a solo act. My first job upon moving to NYC was carrying bags and getting taxis at the
Gansevoort hotel on Park Avenue. It was all hustle all the time. And it was a lot of work and a
lot of fun. You made cash tips based on how busy and charming you could be, not unlike the
music biz. So the name came from that experience. And it’s cheeky, sort of like saying
“sir servant.”
What's your perfect writing environment? Do you have anywhere special ya go to write?
My favorite writing environment is to be alone in a room with a table, chair, and guitar or piano
and a notebook, with my phone and computer turned off and out of sight. I like to get a raw
idea from that, and then take it into the studio to record the demo, and then put the song
away for a day or two to re-listen with fresh ears. When I write with other people, all I need is
for them to keep an open mind, to take risks, to not be afraid to sound silly or off pitch,
because when you have zero inhibitions, you can come up with some great ideas.
and a notebook, with my phone and computer turned off and out of sight. I like to get a raw
idea from that, and then take it into the studio to record the demo, and then put the song
away for a day or two to re-listen with fresh ears. When I write with other people, all I need is
for them to keep an open mind, to take risks, to not be afraid to sound silly or off pitch,
because when you have zero inhibitions, you can come up with some great ideas.
Which artists would you say have inspired you musically and personally?
I usually default to Ryan Adams, who is a prolific dude with such an eclectic style and body of
work. You got your rock, some blues, some folksy songwriterness, some bratty Cure-like
feelings, and moreover: emotion. But the holy trinity I always go back to are Nirvana,
Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles.
work. You got your rock, some blues, some folksy songwriterness, some bratty Cure-like
feelings, and moreover: emotion. But the holy trinity I always go back to are Nirvana,
Jimi Hendrix, and the Beatles.
You've noted the decline of the album as a genre with our modern shortened attention
spans, how does this alter the way you approach composing with tracks and concepts
for them?
spans, how does this alter the way you approach composing with tracks and concepts
for them?
It doesn’t necessarily alter my approach to composing each song, but maybe it changes the
way I approach a group of songs. Each new track gets to be the star, the quarterback,
instead of releasing a group of 10 songs at once, where there are clear favorites and clear
underdogs, or “album tracks”, as they say in the industry. I am enjoying this approach so far,
as it gives me flexibility as an independent artist.
way I approach a group of songs. Each new track gets to be the star, the quarterback,
instead of releasing a group of 10 songs at once, where there are clear favorites and clear
underdogs, or “album tracks”, as they say in the industry. I am enjoying this approach so far,
as it gives me flexibility as an independent artist.
Who are you listening to right now? Recommend our readers some bangers!
The latest Beck album is such a jam. And St. Vincent is my spirit animal.
What's next for you? Any tours or releases on the horizon?
I have my single release show in LA next month which I’m very excited
about. And I’m releasing my songs one at a time, so each one can have its own party.
Stay tuned for upcoming shows and other shenanigans at vanbellman.com!
about. And I’m releasing my songs one at a time, so each one can have its own party.
Stay tuned for upcoming shows and other shenanigans at vanbellman.com!
You can keep up with Van Bellman on the
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