By Keith Walsh
The heat of summer is just the right time for the latest cool pop groove from Julian Shah-Tayler. Co-produced by Robert Margouleff, “Secret” combines Shah-Tayler’s marvelous performance skills with a story from his wilder years in London, England, where he enjoyed the nightlife after leaving York University and his studies in Philosophy.

Shah-Tayler explains: “I wrote ‘Secret’ when I first left university and moved to London. I’d been cooped up in institutions of learning for around 13 years with very little opportunity to do my own thing…My girlfriend and I were suddenly in the largest place we’d ever seen. Everywhere there were coffee shops, bars, restaurants and clubs. …We were big dance music fans and my girlfriend was in fashion so we took full advantage of the nightlife. ” Shah-Tayler continues:  “I used to go out to a bar on old Compton Street in Soho, London, and sit with my notepad writing lyrics and poetry ready to make into songs. ‘Secret’ came to me while I was in that bar getting ready for another riotous night of absinthe cocktails followed by glam clubbing. Soho is positively throbbing with lights, life and noise…it’s the literal story of that experience.”

Since bringing his provocative brand of electronica to Los Angeles, Shah-Tayler has worked with co-producer Robert Margouleff on several singles (though often he serves as his own producer). “I work with other producers when I can,” says Shah-Tayler. “It’s always wonderful to learn new tricks. Robert Margouleff has such an incredible history with brilliant musicians like Stevie Wonder, Devo, and Depeche Mode. He taught me so many things about the funk, how to balance frequencies in sound, and the interplay between instruments. My fundamental musical intention is altered each time I learn something about making music. Right now MGT has put his goth rock magic on a few new songs, so I’m learning power moves for some of my songs.”

Indeed, ‘Secret’ is funky, with touches of classic pop and new wave. It’s just the type of slick production that gets people on the dance floor. It’s the second of a long series of singles Shah-Tayler plans to release (June’s “Living In A Dream” was the first).

“I’m preparing a slew of releases,” he explains. “One a month from now on ‘til infinity. I have over 400 songs, and at least 40 unreleased ones. So that’s the intention. I’m performing a show a week on Facebook Live whilst the pandemic still rages. I hope to play real live shows when the opportunity arises. I’m performing and recording as much as I can. Some of my new stuff has some very special collaborations/guests like David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets), and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs). I’m also and producing and remixing for a number of artists, famous and otherwise. I’m very excited to see what the next year brings.”

In addition to creating electronica under his own name (and previously under the name The Singularity), to which he lends his formidable skills in the studio and on several instruments, Shah-Tayler is also known for his role in tribute acts, The Band That Fell To Earth (featuring his captivating Bowie emulation) as well as for his role as the Alan Wilder analogue in the Depeche Mode tribute Strangelove.

https://www.facebook.com/thesingularitymusic

https://julianshah-tayler.bandcamp.com/

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