Chances are, most of the songs featured on your Spotify 2020 Wrapped playlist are the result of singer-songwriter Tayla Parx’s avant-garde artistry. Having penned chart-topping tracks like Arianda Grande’s “Thank You, Next” and Panic! At the Disco’s “High Hopes” and worked on iconic albums like Janelle Monae’s Grammy-nominated “Dirty Computer,” Parx is the wizard behind the curtain.
Every bop, jam, and banger you can think of that’s been recorded in the last few years was made possible by Parx who is always looking to shake up the way things have been done. And with her latest record “Coping Mechanisms,” which has been met with widespread critical acclaim, she continues to knock down barriers by defying genre, gender, and every status-quo you can think of.
You’re a Grammy-nominated songwriter (and best known for your work with Ariana Grande), but you’re poised to ascend as a solo artist in your own right thanks to your recently released solo album, Coping Mechanisms (congratulations!). Take us back to the beginning—what was the lightbulb moment for your career in music and what inspired you to pursue this path?
It’s something that came very naturally, and music has been my first love! My role in music has transformed over time as I’ve learned more about the industry.
How did you learn how to write songs? What does your writing process look like now that you're writing for yourself instead of other singers? Where do you source your inspiration and how has your music evolved?
Songwriting, along with most of my other interests, starts with being a fan. I’m lucky that I have parents who have great taste in music, so growing up, I was introduced to a lot of different genres of music over the years and tried to write songs I felt could play back to back to the songs I loved. The process for writing songs for myself versus others differs in the approach. My own music comes directly from my own life experiences. It’s more based on the ideas that I listen to from my heart instead of pinpointing a specific emotion of the day like I do with other artists. I’m a firm believer that inspiration starts before the studio. Within every conversation there is a song, even in the words you don’t say.
You're not afraid to share vulnerability through your lyrics and bare your soul with your voice. Does confidence come naturally to you or did you have to learn it? What advice can you share on cultivating confidence and going after your dreams?
I was always someone who shared my thoughts, even as a kid! Sometimes a bit too much I’ll admit, but I think real confidence comes with the fearlessness to continue to voice those opinions even as an adult I am settling into today. The biggest advice I have is to continue to have the curiosity to learn. The more you learn, the more confidently you can stand behind your ideas because you’ve done your research.
How are you making a difference and pushing your industry forward?
I’m pushing my industry forward by breaking boundaries previously placed before me as well as being daring enough to try new ways of doing business within the music industry. From artistry to management, to publishing and recording studios themselves, this is the time to shake things up, and along with my peers, I am a part of this necessary change.
2020 presented everybody around the globe with new, unprecedented challenges. How did you #FindNewRoads + switch gears towards your new version of success?
I found new roads while being able to spend some much needed time with myself. I had been on tour for the past two years and always traveling somewhere, but you learn the most when you’re able to sit still. Approaching life in a new way has allowed me to make that progress towards my next personal and professional goals.
How have you remained true and authentic to who you are and what advice can you share for women who are struggling with that?
Remaining true to yourself starts with the conscious decision to do so. It’s one of the biggest things I ask myself when doing partnerships, making business deals, and determining everyday decisions because that’s a huge part of my idea of freedom. The biggest advice I can give to anyone struggling with remaining true is simple: it takes much more work to try and pretend to be someone you’re not. For one, you’ll never be them, not as good as they are at being them. And you, you’re doing a disservice to the world because there’s only one of you—and, who could be better at being you than you?
It’s easy to celebrate the wins, but how do you handle failure or when something hasn’t worked out for you?
I’ve always used failures as a catapult. I thrive off of being told I can’t do something just to double down my own expectations.
What career mistake has given you the biggest lesson?
One of my biggest career mistakes was attempting to listen when told “this is just the way it is”. There are a lot of things throughout my career that aren’t necessarily typical nor the so-called way things usually happen. So, the times that I’ve tried to approach it in a typical way—in an attempt to get less fight back—I’ve regretted it. So, I turned it into a lesson and learned to move forward in the best way possible.
With success comes opportunity, but that also means you have your hands full. What keeps you inspired and motivated to keep going even on your most challenging days?
Stick with the things that inspire you. You’ll never not be motivated if you’re always collaborating with people who are inspiring to you, and you’ll never be bored.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career journey—with the knowledge you have now— what advice would you give yourself?
I’d say: They’re right. Songwriters and artists typically don’t manage themselves, but you can. They’re right. There typically isn’t African American queer females writing across all genres, but you will. Just because something hasn’t been done, it doesn’t mean that you can’t be the one to do it and, beyond that, to make it the new normal. Knowing that would’ve saved me a lot of self-doubt because I was able to do all those things as well inspire a few peers and strangers. That’s the bigger picture for me.
Fill in the blanks:
When I feel fear, I…
Breathe.
If there were more hours in the day, I would…
Garden more.
Three qualities that got me to where I am today are…
Curiosity, the ability to listen, and the ability to be empathetic.
The change I’d like to see in my industry is…
Creatives’ hard work being reflected in their contracts.
My perfect day begins with…
My garden.
