North-East punk-rock outfit Not Now Norman's latest single 'My Melody' is a collaboration with talented international producer Geo Moon. After spending a lifetime growing up with self-doubt, rejection and depression, singer Taylor-Grace, front person for Not Now Norman, finds purpose and happiness when she discovers music and new opportunities arise. Not only does she find purpose in music but she also discovers her voice and unlocks a confident side to her that she never thought she had. This track is about finding a new outlook on life and how the world seems brighter when a purpose is discovered and unlocking your true potential. Even in the darkest of moments, there will always be light at the end of the tunnel...

Join us as we talk to Taylor-Grace.

In your new track ‘My Melody’ with Geo Moon you speak of music as being a sort of remedy for you, is that right?

Yes. Most of my life, I’ve been full of self doubt and rejection for one reason or another be it rejection or just not fitting the bill. Even in college I felt very unsure about the direction I was heading in and there have been moments in my life where I just couldn’t see a purpose for myself. That seemed to change when I started getting involved in music. I felt I could express myself in ways I never thought possible. Because of autism I’ve often struggled with voicing my thoughts or emotions but when I started writing songs and singing, that all changed. Music has become my form of communication and as a result, I feel accepted. 

Tell us about this most recent project with Geo - how did you guys get in touch?

We added each other on Facebook months ago. Just two musicians looking to network with others in the industry. We started talking not long after we released Little Cheryl about the message behind it when he said ‘Hey, want to work on some music?’. Thats when we started working on Run Boy (No Longer). A couple months later he cooked up this melody that was strikingly different to Run Boy, and said ‘Fancy it?’. It sounded so atmospheric and I could feel where I wanted the direction to go so I immediately said yes. Our styles are very different from each other but I think that works great. What I like about working with Geo the most is that they take a different emotional direction than a typical Not Now Norman track.

What’s the music scene like where you’re based in North-East England?

I enjoy working with other bands here. I haven’t been in the circuit long but almost everyone I’ve met so far has been very supportive, especially when they’re in bands. We seem to have this supportive community going on that’s open and friendly. The scene is so rich with talent and I find it exciting to be a part of.

Talk us through your own songwriting process…

To be honest, I don’t really have a ‘set process’. Most of the time it’s taking inspiration where I can. Sometimes a guitar riff will be the starting point, like with End of the Day, Little Frankenstein started from a drum beat and the chorus, “I can be your Little Frankenstein, Come and join me in the pantomime’. Or sometimes it will be the lyrics that come first like with ‘Shut Your Mouth’. When I write lyrics I like to think of it as finishing a Jigsaw without doing the edges first. I think of a scene in my head and I’ll try to write down what I’m seeing, or what I would say in a situation and break it down. Sometimes it feels like a game of Tetris, but it works well.

What’s it like being in your band Not Now Norman - do you guys have a lot of fun together?

It’s like being in an extended second family, we have loads of ideas that we can bounce off each other and take our music to new levels. It’s exciting to be a part of, especially when you’re working with your Dad (Zander Brown, Guitarist). We’ve always been close and he’s been in bands since I can remember. I used to tag along with him to watch him perform, so its like performing with one of your music heroes.

What creative direction are you taking right now?

At the moment I’m focusing on music with a hard edge that tells a story that’s usually specific to me or that I’m passionate about. I find that I perform better when I’m singing about real life experiences because it comes from the heart. If I’ve had experience with what I’m singing about, the emotions and passion flows through me and into the ears of people who listen to our tracks.

What music do you listen to regularly? Is that the kind of music which inspires you to create music?

My Melody is the first track I’ve done so far that was inspired (vocally) from Pop music. Most of the time I prefer listen to rock music because that’s what I grew up with, but to be honest good music is good music no matter the genre. If music sets off an emotion I will love listening to it. Different music styles, when mixed with other genres have different music possibilities. Sounds meant to be experimented with, that’s the beauty of music. It’s a universal language in more ways than one.

Is there any advice you would like to give your younger self for coming into the music industry?

I think I would say to myself ‘Stop worrying about it and give it ago’. Thats my only regret with being in music is not trying it sooner. Thats why I wrote My Melody,  is a letter to my younger self. I think I would also tell myself to trust my own instincts more and not let the negative views of others bring me down.

For more info, head over to the artist’s websites;

Not Now Norman: www.notnownorman.com

Geo Moon: www.geomoon.co