Shannon Taylor Interview
words by Callie Saltzman
photo by Bailey Taylor
Did you always want to have a career in music?
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When I was a little girl, I was really academically inclined, and my dream was to be a paleontologist so I could travel and dig up dinosaur bones. That obviously did not pan out lol. I think it was in middle school when I started watching YouTube pretty religiously that the idea of being an entertainer caught on to me. It was really only after making videos for a little while that I realized my heart was truly with music. I had played violin for 8 years (I used to be really badass, but I haven't played since high school) guitar, ukulele, and really loved singing more than all else, so it seemed like a natural next step once my foot was in the door of the entertainment world!
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What was your favorite video you made for My Digital Escape?
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My fav MDE video I made of all time would definitely have to be the "My Emo Morning Routine" video. That's the video I really remember as defining my place on the channel as it really blew up and had an amazing reaction from the MDE fans. In terms of what we filmed together, I don't remember what it was called, but we did a dare video with all 7 of us that devolved into us forcing each other to eat really disgusting mixtures we could make from whatever was in Bryan Stars' kitchen haha.
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Are you planning on creating more music with Johnnie?
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He just released a new album, so we don't have plans at the moment, but I'd love to in the future!
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Who in music would you love to collaborate with?
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Ooh that's a tough question. Muse is my favorite band of all time so, while it'll never happen, that's definitely my #1 pick lol
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What is coming next for you, both music wise and life wise!
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I just took a relatively long mental health break from the internet and content creation- I wasn't totally gone but I've barely posted for almost an entire year now. It was much needed, but I'm moving to a much nicer apartment in about a week now, and the first thing I'm going to set up is an area for streaming and video editing. I'm really inspired and excited to dive back into everything. After I can get streams and videos going again, I'm going to work on laying out the next music project- hopefully a 2nd EP!
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What is your favorite song you’ve put out so far?
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It's a solid tie between the acoustic version of 'Be My Guide' and 'Two-Faced".
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Is there anything you miss about My Digital Escape and that era of YouTube?
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I totally miss the constant traveling, content creation, and getting to be with some of my best friends 24/7. I also really miss playing shows- which is hopefully something I can accomplish in the semi-short term if I stick to my comeback plan! Overall though, I am in a much better place in my life these days. I think of most of my MDE memories with the utmost fondness, but I wouldn't want to be back in the "situation" with Bryan's shady shit/bad management that we all now know about ever again.
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Who is your favorite celebrity you’ve met?
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I've never met any of my favorite celebrities and honestly, I kind of try not to! I feel like meeting your heroes can often be a let-down and I'm too soft to handle losing my comfort people haha.
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