Black History Month Spotlight: London Taylor
Written by Clearcover’s Equity Inclusion and Diversity Council | February 25, 2022
February is Black History Month, and we’re celebrating all month long. This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Black Health and Wellness”, which encourages us all to focus on cultivating physical, mental, and spiritual health among the black community.
At Clearcover, we understand that wellness isn’t limited to just physical issues. Our mental health-friendly culture encourages our employees to focus on their interests outside of work.
To celebrate the end of Black History Month, we wanted to amplify passionate black voices within our own Clearcover community. We chose to spotlight London Taylor, our multi-talented Senior Customer Advocate. When they are not assisting Clearcover customers, London spends their free time focusing on their budding music career.
Read their interview to learn more about their experience and inspirations in the music business:
Name: London Taylor
Pronouns: They/Them
Position: Senior Customer Advocate
Singer, Songwriter, Producer/Composer, Engineer, Multi-Instrumentalist
Location: Bowling Green, OH
Spotify Link: London Beck
How long have you been in the music industry?
I have been in the music industry since I was 14 years old; I released my very first single via Soundcloud when it was all the rage. That was a very big moment for me because I was always the quirky kid that was a bit shy and still figuring out how to come out of my shell. Friends of mine had heard me sing and kept encouraging me to put my art into the universe, so I just went for it.
What is it like balancing work here at Clearcover, making music and managing your music presence?
The balance can be difficult at times. I think what really helps me is being able to have consistency in my schedule with Clearcover. It’s also important to me to respect the space of each aspect of my life, so staying true to that has made it rather easy for me to wake up and be in the queues all day and then quickly pivot to a recording session or a private lesson that I’m teaching.
Who are your musical influences?
I’m influenced by all music genres so my list is rather huge but to name a few: Eartha Kitt, Tina Turner, and Nina Simone. I’ll stop there before I get too carried away.
What are some of the biggest contributions you believe black people have given to music?
I think Black creatives have fought through generational adversity and injustice to set trends. Especially during the Civil Rights movement, we also showed the world how much music can be a zeitgeist, a reflection of how far we’ve come and how far we have yet to go. Songs that have been bellowed and weeped by artists like Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, and so many more still haunt us today and for good reason.
What does music mean to you?
Music is an opportunity to connect with other hearts and minds. It’s a chance to tell stories of our pains and triumphs, and let others know that they are not alone. It’s a safe space and it’s also a protest.
In November 2020, you were inducted into the Amplify Fellowship, whose mission is to provide resources and access to African-American musical artists to encourage free expression untethered by social inequity. What was this experience like for you?
That experience was monumental and came just at the right time. When the pandemic began, so many doors had opened for me. I was booking shows at larger venues, I was preparing to launch my own music festival and associated brand (I released a fashion lookbook the year before) - and then it all stopped. Being a part of the fellowship gave me renewed hope that creating music was exactly where I needed to be. It really showed me how far my art could really travel and how powerful it is.
What challenges have you faced and have had to overcome to pursue your passion?
One relatable challenge has been resources. Booking studio time, having a song written and then produced and THEN engineered also has costs that add up. At the age of 14 and even up until 19, I spent so much time with school and education that I didn’t have time to generate any pocket change to regularly request these services. Throughout the years, I’ve taught myself how to wear all of these different hats, and it has really helped to carve my spot in the Michigan music scene. Even today, there aren’t too many artists who are able to be as versatile even though it is a current trend.
What is your favorite song you’ve released so far?
My favorite track would have to be “Black Satin” from my 2021 album, The Black Satin Sessions. It was a song that a lot of people wouldn’t expect me to release in that a lot of my sound signature beforehand was more electronic and heavily influenced by R&B and pop. Black Satin is very much rock and roll. The track itself is about embracing all of the different sides of yourself including the darker bits and just being able to fully enjoy the ride of life without the worry of others’ opinions or thoughts.
If you could choose anyone in the world to do a collaboration with, who would you choose?
Hands down I would love to collaborate with FKA Twigs. I have been fascinated by her discography for years and would love a good dance lesson or two haha!
Do you have any new music coming that you’d like to share?
Not yet but it’s definitely on the way!
Do you have anything else you’d like to add?
My greatest joy as a creative is the ability to touch and inspire others to be the best version of ourselves that we can be.
We’re committed to furthering our equity and inclusion efforts, and we’re lucky to have a dedicated Equity Inclusion Diversity Council that helps us create a more inclusive culture every day. If you’re interested in working for a company that puts diversity first, apply for one of our open roles.
