Five Minutes With: Montréal-based Singer-Songwriter Loryn Taggart

Producer and genre-bending singer-songwriter Loryn Taggart has ambitiously broken through the music industry. This Hungarian-Canadian musician who was raised in the Prairies, took a leap of faith at just 16 years old when she left her family home and moved to Toronto in the pursuit of a life of music. From performing with a Toronto-based bar band to taking the stage solo at legendary venues such as Horseshoe Tavern, Rivoli, Cameron House and Le Verre Bouteille, Loryn quickly gained acknowledgement through nominations from Canadian Folk Music Awards, the 18th Annual Independent Music Awards, SoundClash Music Awards and was the runner-up recipient of the Cobalt Prize for Blues Innovative Songwriter of the Year.

Now based in Montreal, it wasn’t before long when Taggart’s talents were being noticed. Loryn had the pleasure of touring with Canadian Folk Musician Donovan Woods, and most notably in 2021, was asked to audition for the role of David Bowie on an international tribute tour highlighting Bowie ‘The Berlin Trilogy’ era, in which she landed the job on the spot. After partnering with La Tribe Agence and Moment Factory, Loryn went on to perform the role of David Bowie at renowned venues such as Place Des Arts, Canadian Arts Centre and the Amphitheatre Cogeco, performing songs such as Station to Station and Heroes, being one of the first female musicians to do so.

Following the loss of her father, Loryn Taggart began creating her debut album ‘The Lost Art of Pulling Through’, as a concept album, bringing the listener on a journey through loss and how creation can bring you back to life and out of the depths of anger, self-doubt and writers’ block. She partnered with Marcus Paquin (The National, Tim Baker) and in collaboration with the musicians taking part in the David Bowie tour she began to record her debut album, which landed on the CBC Top 20 and the CKUA Top 30 albums of the year. Loryn went on to win ‘Female Musician of the Year’ at the 2023 Indie Boulevard Awards with ‘The Lost Art of Pulling Through’ nominated as Album Of The Year.

Loryn Taggart

Name:

Loryn Taggart

Genre:

Jazz/Folk Fusion

Founded:

2010

# of Albums:

1

Latest Album:

The Lost Art of Pulling Through

Latest Single:

Walls

Latest Video:

Favourite musician growing up:

Feist

Favourite musician now:

Feist

Guilty pleasure song:

SneakerNight – Vanessa Hudgens

Live show ritual:

Pre-show dancing, post-show poutine

Favourite local musician:

Patrick Watson & Pony Up!

EP or LP?

LP!!

Early bird or night owl?

Early early early

Road or studio?

It depends. Road is incredible with the band/team. If it’s a solo tour it can be incredibly taxing. But the studio is also exhilarating and exhausting. Both?

Any shows or albums coming up?

I am doing a house concert tour this fall! Very cozy.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok

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Rapid Fire Local Questions:

What is your favourite local restaurant?

Verdun Beach

What is your favourite street in your city and why?

Wellington. It’s where my partner and I first lived/fell in love/got engaged. Lots of good memories here.

What is your favourite park in your city and why?

Parc de Rapides. It’s a beautiful, quiet and peaceful stroll. Hidden gem.

What is your favourite music venue in your city?

MTelus.

What is your favourite music store in your city?

Nantel !

 

About Demian Vernieri 477 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.