UPSAHL is a 20 year-old Indie-Pop artist who’s momentum increases with every release she drops - from singles to EPs:
In 2018, she graduated from high school, moved to L.A., released a slew of slamming singles and signed with Arista Records.
In 2019, so far, she’s released her irresistibly catchy debut EP, “Hindsight 20/20,” and performed at one of the largest music festivals in the United States, Lollapalooza. This past July, UPSAHL released another single that fuels the urge to dance, “Wish You’d Make Me Cry.” While her music is great for dancing, the lyrics are witty and speak down-to-earth truths that are brought to life with a vocal style that’s completely her own.
While DCMR was not able to catch her this March at DC9, we will be covering UPSAHL's show this Wednesday, August 28th in Austin, TX at Stubb’s BBQ with Tessa Violet. We're excited to have caught up with her before the show.
Getting Started
Upsahl (Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez)
How did you come up with/decide on your name?
UPSAHL is my last name. I definitely knew I wanted to go by a different artist name than just “Taylor Upsahl,” but it was really weird trying to relate to a random name, but one day, the UPSAHL thing just kind of clicked. It feels like it’s still authentic to me, but it’s also an ode to my family, because I credit my love for music to the musical childhood I had.
When did your relationship with music first start?
I’ve never not been obsessed with music. Honestly, since I was, like, five years old, I knew it was the only thing I wanted to do with my life.
Who have been your main musical influences?
Growing up, I listened to a lot of Weezer and Spoon and the Shins, so I loved alternative music. Then I started getting really into Outkast and Gwen Stefani, so I feel like the music I make now is a mixture of all those different worlds.
L.A. to Lollapalooza
While your friends were heading to college, you moved to L.A. to write music, and to live alone for the first time. That’s very impressive. How long had you been planning this move? Did your creative approach change at all as a result?
I always knew I wanted to do music full time and there’s no better place to be doing that then in LA. Once I got my publishing deal with UMPG, I had the funds to make the move. It just so happened that it coincided with graduating from high school. I moved to LA right away and starting doing session every day. I think because of the emotional rollercoaster I was on when I moved out here, my writing definitely evolved along with that.
Upsahl (Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez)
How did you come up with Hindsight 20/20 for the album name?
Because I wrote the album within my first year of moving to LA, the songs were very representative of that year in my life. So when I was piecing the album together, it felt like I was just looking back and reflecting on that year. “Hindsight is 20/20,” is a lyric in SMARTY, which has always stood out to me, and I feel like it represents that reflective part of the EP as a whole.
Last year you signed with Arista Records, how has it been being a signed artist vs being independent?
Amazing. I feel so lucky to be signed to such a rad label and to have such a cool team. Because Arista reopened when I signed, we all kind of have gotten to grow together, so everyone at Arista has been really supportive of just letting me evolve how I want to as an artist.
New Fame and The Future
What’s been your biggest challenge as an artist rapidly rising to fame?
Upsahl (Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez)
I think for anyone pursuing music, the biggest challenge can sometimes be to make sure your music is as authentic to you as possible. It’s very easy to get caught up in a world of a million different opinions, so trusting your gut and believing in your art is definitely the most important thing to hang on to.
Upsahl (Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez)
If you could collaborate with any musician/ band, who would it be?
Anderson .Paak would be a dream collaboration for me.
What’s your favorite song to perform? Why?
I love performing “Drugs” at all of my shows. I feel like I always have the most fun with the crowd during that one.
Listen
Listen
Listen
Performance Details
Performance Details
Performance
Details
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Doors: 8:00 PM
IMPORTANT NOTE:
UPSAHL is opening for Tessa Violet. Please arrive on the early side.
Stubb's BBQ (Stubb's Indoors)
801 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-8341
$15 (+ $3.75 Fee) - General Admission
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