Taylor Mecca
When I first heard this song “growing up sucks”, I knew I had to feature Taylor Mecca on my blog. A song like this shouldn’t be unnoticed. Co-written with Tiger Darrow, Rachel Bochner and Atilla Gulnar Jr, “growing up sucks” explores the feeling of growing up and navigating her early 20s. When it comes to music, I’ve always been a fan of authenticity, vulnerability and honesty, and “growing up sucks” is exactly what I am looking for in music. The new single is off her upcoming debut EP Sidelines, to be released later this year.
“growing up sucks” is now available everywhere.
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
My name is Taylor Mecca and I'm a 21 year old singer songwriter from Long Island, New York. I’ve been singing for as long as I could remember and found a passion for writing when I was about 15.
"growing up sucks" is your new song - what's the inspiration behind this single?
Growing up, I always felt like the odd one out among people my age, since I was never eager to become an adult. I've always felt a sort of sadness around the idea. 'growing up sucks' is an embodiment of that and a vulnerable picture of me navigating my early 20s, trying to make sense of the emotions and realities that come with leaving my childhood behind.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? Who helped you create it? When did you start working on it?
The heavy existential weight I was expending pushed me to dig deeper with my writing. This was probably the first time I refocused my writing to be reflected of an experience I felt I was going through alone rather than about and with someone else. In October of 2022, Tiger Darrow, Rachel Bochner and Atilla Gulnar Jr brought my feeling to life and I couldn't be more grateful for their talented help.
What's your favorite lyric on "growing up sucks"?
“The tooth fairy don’t take my insurance”.
What did you feel when writing/recording this song?
I felt emotional, yet cathartic. The realization that I took the simplicities of being a kid for granted alongside the feeling of unknown at this time of my life made me realize that I was grieving being 'Little Taylor'. Grieving our childhood is something that we don't articulate or talk about enough.
What made you want to release "growing up sucks" as a single? When did you know it had to be a single?
I had been trying to express in words what I had been experiencing recently, and this song seemed to perfectly encapsulate those emotions. 'growing up sucks' represents the most vulnerability I've ever shown, and I hoped that my personal challenges with adulthood could help someone articulate and validate their own experience. Just like coming to terms with the fact that we are no longer kids, I wanted to give listeners the space to sit and process the song at their own pace.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
The artwork represents me and my younger self walking through life together, I always will have a piece of her inside me no matter how old I get.
What's the hardest part of growing up?
Learning to let go and move forward.
What can you tell us about your upcoming EP?
My EP, "Sidelines," is about coming of age and confronting the quarter-life crisis that young adults often go through. I'm watching my friends move on while I feel stuck in place. Growing up while holding on to my childhood. Falling in love, unsure if it's real love. Feeling like you're moving, but getting no where at all. All of these dual feelings make navigating the quarter-life crisis feel impossible, but deep down, I know it will challenge me to learn more about myself and take ownership of my own life.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
I think the hardest part is trying not to care about what people think. It is a constant learning process and battle to stay true to yourself as an artist. The best part is creating - music is my therapy, and it's something I will never stop creating.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I do wish the industry didn't place as much weight on the numbers on social platforms as they do today and balanced their perspective with the music itself.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Anything Taylor Swift! At the time that I was making this project, I was constantly listening to “folkore” and it definitely had a hand in inspiring me. Conan Gray’s album “Superache” and Lexi Jayde’s EP “Closer to Closure” were also big inspirations!
What do you want people to feel when listening to your music?
I want to validate people's emotions and show them that they are not alone in what they are going through. There’s something unexplainable about listening to the song for the first time and feeling validated, inspired, heard, and so many other feelings.
What makes you happy?
Music, my family, and connecting with people! I love my family more than words could ever say. I’m lucky to have two amazing parents and a brother who is my best friend.
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
My favorite quote is by Taylor Swift “If you never bleed, you’re never gonna grow.” You can’t get to the good stuff without going through the bad stuff. Regardless of what it is that we go through, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
More love!!
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