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HEARTS AND MINDS
Susan Jarvis
CAROLINE TAYLOR-KNIGHT describes herself as a “heart on my sleeve” kind of songwriter.
“I have always admired writers who lay their souls bare. That’s the kind of person I am, and somehow it’s the way I always write,” she said.
Which is why Caroline’s new album - her second - is such a personal journey into the heart and mind of this talented newcomer to country music.
Even the album’s title, Me Again, reveals a lot about its creator.
“It is a very personal album. I’ve reached a place in my music and my life where I feel very comfortable about who I am and where I belong, and in many ways this album is a reflection of that, and also a celebration of reaching that point,” Caroline said.
Over the last few years, Caroline has notched up several successes on the Brisbane country music scene, including being a finalist for Best New Talent in the QRA Awards, performing as support act for DARYL BRAITHWAITE and being the voice of Australia Post’s Rock Australia stamps launch.
Produced by husband DUNCAN WOOD, Me Again is a journey through some of the moments and experiences that make up a life.
The title track, Me Again, holds the various strands of album together, and provides a powerful insight into this talented songwriter.
“This is a very emotional track for me. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin after a lifetime of being otherwise, and finally being able to feel good about it,” Caroline said.
Two of the album’s other standout tracks come from a very different place, however. Enough, the first radio single, is a scream of frustration, written by the side of the road with a broken-down car after a few rough weeks.
“It seemed so bad it was actually comical. I think the emotions of the moment are captured in it very well,” Caroline said.
But there’s a follow-up to Enough in the form of Bring It On – when things just get so bad that it becomes a challenge.
“The human spirit comes through at the strangest moments, when things get really tough. And in this song, there’s a glimmer of hope that something good has to happen,” Caroline said.
As well as reflecting on the tough patches, Caroline delves into the past for inspiration on Country Girl.
“I grew up on farms and had to go to boarding school, then lived in the city before moving back to acreage. This is a song about having a foot in both worlds. I’ll always be a country girl, though,” Caroline said.
There are several exquisite love songs on this album, as well as songs that explore aspects of love.
Thanks To You is a heartfelt thank you song for Caroline’s husband and producer Duncan, and she’s gone a step further with the seductive Dance For You.
“I still can’t stop myself blushing terribly when I sing that one live. But it’s also a lot of fun,” Caroline said.
But it is her insightful songs into the nature of love that really stand out on this album. They include the new single Are You There? which looks at the way people can sometimes lose sight of each other in a relationship, and the impressive Love Is An Action - one of Me Again’s best songs.
“Sometimes the people we love are the ones who hurt us the most by taking us for granted. You have to show people you love them, not just tell them,” Caroline said.
Under Duncan’s guiding hand, Caroline has found a distinctive and very personal musical style with Me Again, and she says it has transformed her life and her music.
“Finding your sound is really important for a songwriter, otherwise you’re constantly floundering, trying to discover who you are musically. It has been a very positive experience,” she said.
The crowds at the Tamworth Festival were treated to a sneak preview of Me Again, and responded enthusiastically. The album’s will be launched officially in Brisbane this month, and is set to make the country music industry sit up and take notice of this very talented singer/songwriter.
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