When singer-songwriter Claire Anne Taylor’s 14-month-old son was diagnosed with the rare genetic condition Angelman Syndrome, her world was turned upside down.
But rather than turn her back on her lifelong career, music became her therapy; allowing her to face head on the feelings and fears that came with the life-changing news.
Taylor’s latest album, Giving it Away, is a finished product that still carries the scars and emotion from those raw and heart-wrenching sessions as she explores themes of grief, acceptance, love and loss.
“Death is a prominent theme throughout the album, whether it is the death of a loved one, the death of a life you might have imagined for yourself, the death of a dream, or the death of a love shared with someone.” – Claire Anne Taylor.
At times, the album is gutsy and heavy-hitting, with tracks like ‘Lay You Down In The Cold Hard Ground’, while the stripped back, bare bone ballads of ‘Giving It Away’ and ‘Before’ will make even the most stonehearted of us shed a tear.
Taylor’s signature smoky and soulful vocals take centre stage throughout the record while complemented by a talented backing band featuring Beau Thomas (drums), Jethro Pickett (lead guitar), Louis Gill (bass) and Randal Muir (keys). Recorded by Chris Townend (Portishead, Silverchair, Tim Finn) at MONA’s legendary Frying Pan Studios, Giving it Away is Taylor’s most focused and engrossing work to date, shining a light on a rising star within Australian music.
Release: February 16th, 2024, Cheatin’ Hearts Records