LA songwriter Tar & Flowers aka Taylor Hungerford talks to Jason Barnard about songwriting and making music.
Can you tell me about Tar & Flowers?
Tar & Flowers started as an alternative to my original stage name “One Foot In The Grave.” The name was taken by a senior citizen punk band in Arizona. I had written a song about a drifter and one of the lines was, “Thank you for your tar and your flowers.” It seemed catchy – tar is more permanent, flowers are very temporary lasting only weeks; tar is also ugly and flowers are beautiful. They’re two very contradictory terms that fit together. I’ve been using this name for a little under ten years and been recording under it the last five. I’ve released one album called “Indian Summer” and am currently working on my next album that is slated for release this year.
Who do you collaborate with?
Wolf Kroeger has guided production on both albums. He engineers, mixes and masters everything I do, as well as plays additional instruments and does vocal harmonies. He’s one hell of a dude.
What tracks do you recommend we seek out?
As far as a track that defines my sound, it’s difficult. I would say Ten Ton Heart is a good place to start. It has influences of country as well as rock. Rumor is also a good track as it has our vision from the last album of what I call Symphonic Americana music.
How do you usually write – what inspires you?
It can come from different things, an idea or an image, or, more importantly a feeling. One of the tracks on the new album called “Southwestern Wind” was taken from the end of an open mic I went to every week in Echo Park. I was really influenced by all the performers there and their passion for their work. Another song off the last album called “This Machine” was taken from the battle between government and Native Americans over the Keystone XL pipeline. I saw it as a continuation of our awful track record with the native people of my country and wanted to write something that expressed that.
Where do you record?
At Wolf’s studio up the street from me. I play and he engineers. Not much more to it than that.
Were you in many bands before Tar & Flowers?
I was in a short lived band in middle school but that was about it. Didn’t really join many bands as I’ve always been focused on doing my solo stuff.
Where are you from and where are you based now, has that influenced you?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles and still live here. LA is a huge place so to be more specific I was raised in Chatsworth and currently reside in Sherman Oaks. Chatsworth is still mostly rural and there is a lot of cowboy and equestrian culture there. They also had a honky-tonk up the street from me that had live country music seven nights a week. Going there and seeing the bands play and people dance introduced me to country and roots music and western culture and has greatly influenced me as a musician as well as a performer.
What’s the music scene like?
The great thing about LA is that you can find literally any type of music here. Some genres are more popular but, LA has a niche Americana/Country scene. Most of it centers around the Grand Ole Echo that takes place at The Echo every Sunday in the summer and fall. I like to call it LA’s premiere honky-tonk. Once you’ve played there, you’re in. The scene around there is very small and very supportive.
What do you do outside of music?
I’m a video editor, graphic designer and filmmaker. I’m currently filming episodes for a doc series based on other artists in the LA Music Scene called Why I Write.
Do you have any plans for the rest of 2021?
I want to finish recording my album, release it, do some shows and tour. I also want to get across the pond as I’ve never been to Europe before and want to go!
How do people find out more about Tar & Flowers?
You can search my name on any platform and I will come up. I am most active on my Instagram so that’s a great place to start! And of course, take a listen to “Indian Summer” before the new album comes out this year!
