Taylor Shae to perform at fundraiser for local musicians

The past 12 months have been especially challenging for independent musicians, and many are still struggling to make ends meet as pandemic restrictions on large gatherings linger. To help those in need, local singer/songwriter Taylor Shae and aid organization Rocky Mountain Music Relief are partnering for a benefit concert at The Wheel House (101 2nd Avenue in Niwot) on Saturday, April 10.

"It has been a really tough time," Shae, a 2018 graduate of Silver Creek High School, said. "But when I started out playing music in Colorado, I had so much support from the Colorado music scene, and everyone was so welcoming and encouraging. And we just really support each other so much. So I just wanted to be able to give back."

Tickets are $15 at the door, and 100% of the proceeds will go to RMMR, a group that provides "financial and in-kind support to those individuals, groups and organizations within the music industry that have been impacted" by events or unforeseen tragedies. Due to social distancing requirements, reservations are required for seating.

Wheel House owner Eric Bergeson is excited about Shae's return to its stage, as well as the opportunity to help out the local music industry. He is also anticipating a robust turnout for the fundraiser, aided by agreeable spring weather in the forecast, and a pent-up demand for in-person interaction.

"It was very charming, and she really impressed us when she was here a few months ago," Bergeson said. "She's young, but she's done all this work. It's really incredible. And when she proposed this, and that she was planning to have all the proceeds go to the nonprofit, we were excited about that."

The concert will mark Shae's first in-person appearance of 2021, and she's "super excited" to be getting back to the "connectedness" of live performances, something she's missed during the shut down. It will also mark the live debut of her latest single "Holding On," which was inspired by personal experience but is also "connected to the shutdown of the live music industry."

"If you really love something, do anything you can to keep it a part of your life no matter what happens," she said of writing the song in December of 2020. "Even though things are challenging, you can still still hold on to what's to come, and be excited about the future, and have hope for 2021, whether it's the revival of the live music or not giving up on your own passions in life."

Shae described both the song and her musical style as Americana, a genre that "encompasses a lot of different genres, from county, folk, blues, and root." She is especially drawn to the storytelling aspects of the style, and counts "powerful front women" like Grace Potter and Jade Bird among her influences.

"The new single is energetic, and I'm excited about the three-part harmonies that I'm incorporating in this song," Shae said. "It all has positive messaging behind it that hopefully comes through to the listeners."

Shae can't remember a time when she wasn't passionate about music, and fondly recalls growing up in a "very musical family." She started performing live at age 13, and it wasn't long before she was ready to take the next steps.

"I was 16 when I picked up the guitar and started songwriting when I got really serious about recording and performing around town. Music is definitely something I love doing."

So far, that passion has led to four critically-acclaimed albums, and a vigorous performance schedule at venues and festivals up and down the front range, all before turning 21. In 2017, she won a singer-songwriter competition as a part of the Teen Creek Festival in Boulder, and in 2019, she was selected to participate in the Boulder County Artist In Residence Program at Nederland's Caribou Ranch Open Space.

Though 2020 took some of the momentum out of her sails, Shae is anticipating a busy 2021, with festivals and other events back on the calendar. She also has new singles set to be released that could wind up as a longer length project later in the year. Before that, however, she has another important milestone: graduating from CSU with a degree in media communication.

Learn more about Taylor Shae by visiting taylorshaemusic.com or on social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about The Wheelhouse at niwotwheelworks.com/the-wheel-house.

"Holding On" will also be available for $1 or more through Bandcamp, where 100% from purchases made through May 9 will be donated directly to the fund.