Julian Shah-Tayler is not just a man who wears many hats, he owns the hat warehouse. For starters, he writes, sings, performs, and produces the songs in his current band “The Singularity”. Along with all the many accomplishments he’s had over the years and all the people he’s collaborated with in the music and film industry, he makes a jack of all trades look as useful as a jack in a box. So much so that when Richard Ashcroft walks down the street in the “Bittersweet Symphony” video, there should be a scene where Richard and Julian highfive each other just as he sings “I’m a million different people from one day to the next..” because they understand each other in that moment. The only difference being that while Richard is only describing how he feels, Julian is too busy actually BEING a million different people from day to day.
Currently Julian Shah-Tayler is working on a new album with The Singularity since he says he has a great deal of songs backed up and ready to go. Most recently, his music can be found in the new movie “Plush” which stars Emily Browning ( Sucker Punch ) who plays a rock star who battles the pamperings and pitfalls of rock n roll fame in this new Drama/Thriller written and directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Twilight). The film was released Friday Sept.13 and is currently playing at the AMC Burbank Town Center 8. The film also stars Cam Gigandet (Never Back Down) and Xavier Samuel (Adore).
I got to chat with Julian recently on how this project came about, other current projects, muses, and see if he’d take us down memory lane into the demons and mayhems of the P.M.’s and A.M.’s from the Britpop era.

PROFILE CARD: A. Jude Aka Julian-Shah Tayler
FAVORITE FOOD: Indian
FAVORITE READ: Stranger In A Strange Land
FAVORITE MOVIE: City Of Lost Children
HOLLYWOOD CRUSH: Scarlett of course..
FAVORITE BRITPOP BAND: Blur. Damon is a genius and the band is amazing.
FAVORITE BRITPOP LYRIC:
“Have you ever told a lie to hide a lie Shame on you, you’ve compromised again ‘Cos things are closing in on you Not so far away as they may seem” -Mansun
FAVORITE SINGULARITY LYRIC:
“Supercollide with the horizon In the event it will bring us down From the big bang to the age of man The story ends just where it began” -The Singularity

1. How did you get involved with the movie “Plush” ?

My lovely friend Nick Launay, (Nick Cave/Arcade Fire/Yeah Yeah Yeahs) asked me if I wanted to submit some songs and produce the demos for the movie, so I did. I submitted 7 songs and 2 were accepted, and I cowrote one other. He had been asked because he is awesome, so it was providence and his generosity.

2. How did the Britpop era effect the music you were making and your lifestyle at the time?

I was party to that whole thing, and just too late to be a part of it with my band. It was a press encouraged event, but it really existed. A palpable coalition of bands who were amazing, helping each other do it right! I was so influenced by it. I wanted to be in Suede so badly. I was never in the band, but a friend of mine was and we used to rehearse in the room next door constantly. We packed out a Camden ballroom with my band that had recently been played by Blur, which was a real buzz….. We felt like it wasn’t long now…….

3. what made you decide to move out to Los Angeles to pursue music? What differences do you find in the music scene and lifestyle compared to London?

The movie industry. London has been a little lacking in great music recently. The best bands are still fabulous, but there is too much of a grimy drug scene, and I did that already. I am very lucky to have been able to come here to join the throng of people who put music into TV and film. That was the plan and with the grace of Los Angeles, it is happening! London is very small compared with LA, as everything is easy to get to, whereas here you have to drive everywhere. that means it’s difficult to meet like minded people outside of specific contexts. If you don’t go to clubs or bars here, you never see anyone, whereas in London you can’t avoid them!

4. Where do you get your inspiration from when writing new music?

Everywhere. I write everyday, so have a catalogue of around 400 songs. Recently, I have been deriving inspiration from literature and philosophical concepts. Always did, but it’s more prevalent in my work now.

5. Tell us about what other projects you are currently working on?

I started a charity called “Art Angeles” to help kids in Watts experience the fun of joining in and jamming with us in the inner city. I am very blessed to be allowed to do what I love in my life, so I want to share my joie de vivre with people who would not otherwise see that possibility in their life.