24 years old • Fort Collins
Lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of Taylor Shae Band, communications coordinator at The Music District
What’s your occupation? Explain your career, accomplishments and professional highlights.
I do all things marketing at The Music District, including graphic design, social media management, photography and videography, newsletter creation and much more. The Music District is a campus for Northern Colorado musicians to level up their career through mentorship, rehearsal and recording spaces and programs that help them find their way in the industry. I’m also a musician and songwriter in the scene; I play Americana and dusty alt-country original music with my band, Taylor Shae Band, performing across the front range and beyond.
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
I grew up in Longmont and moved to Fort Collins in 2018 to study journalism at Colorado State University. When I took my first PR and music marketing courses, I fell in love with combining my passion for storytelling and music. In college, I landed a couple of incredible opportunities to work on the marketing team for Grammy-winning artist Billy Strings and run socials for Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest. Shortly after graduating, I got my dream job at The Music District and have been thriving here ever since.
Tell us something unique about you.
Outside of my career in marketing and music, I’m an avid sprint triathlete and can be found rock climbing, paddleboarding, hiking or golfing any weekend during the summer. I couldn’t imagine my life without being outside and active, which is one of the reasons I love Fort Collins and the vibes here.
What do you consider your biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
Looking back at how much I’ve grown as an artist and person. Last fall, I got to play at Washington’s (at the Badass Babe Fest) for the first time, whereas when I just started out, I played brewery shows at 16 years old for just two or three folks. I’m much more confident and true to myself now, which is incredibly freeing both on and off the stage.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
I see myself taking more time to go on adventures and see the world with my boyfriend, Grayson, as well as creating more memories with my amazing friends. I could see myself settling down in Fort Collins and getting a puppy, hopefully in five years or less. I want to continue to take my career, both in music and communications, to new heights and push my creativity a little more every day.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t care so much about what other people think, and don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. I’ve surprised myself time and time again with what I can be and accomplish just by having faith, a positive attitude and a drive to make it happen.
What are your hopes and dreams as an artist?
My big dream as a musician is to go on tour and sing and play my songs all over the country with a band. I want to write and record music that hits people and makes them feel something, and most importantly, stay true to myself as a songwriter. One dream I have is to open a sold-out show for Grace Potter, one of my first inspirations. It would be a true starstruck moment.
How does being a performing musician help you help other musicians at The Music District?
Being a musician myself is so valuable in helping other musicians because I have gone through similar struggles and successes they have and run into similar roadblocks and milestones. The advice that I not only share but also gain from the musicians I work with creates such a vibrant, tight-knit community at The Music District.
