The Emotional Story Behind Taylor Robert’s ‘Brighter Day’

April 11, 2025

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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Taylor Robert

Born Robert Taylor Baggott IV into a long line of preachers, it seemed Taylor Robert was destined for the pulpit—but music had other plans. His love for singing started early when he joined the Minnesota Boy Choir in sixth grade, sparking a lifelong passion for music. Growing up, weekends were spent leading worship in church choirs and playing in the church band. If there was a chance to sing or play, he was in—whether it was school musicals, orchestra, or the a cappella group he started in high school.

Everything changed when his mom took him to see Lonnie Knight and Big Shoes at a bar in St. Paul. It was his first real exposure to the blues. “Lonnie told me to get a B.B. King record,” he recalls. “So I did—and that was it.” From there, Taylor dove headfirst into blues, soul, and rock, with Elvis quickly rising to hero status.

While attending St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, he joined the renowned choir and toured with a professional a cappella group. But it was during that time he realized that strumming Jack Johnson and Dave Matthews tunes on guitar got more attention than singing Pavarotti. So, he leaned into songwriting, started playing shows in local bars, and laid the foundation for his original sound—one he would later call Roll N Soul.

Over the years, Taylor has toured the country as both a solo artist and with various bands, performing at notable venues across the Twin Cities and beyond. He’s released a string of albums and EPs, working alongside Minnesota legends like Michael Bland (Prince, Soul Asylum) and Ryan Liestman (Jonas Brothers) in both production and songwriting.

Later in his career, Taylor chose to take full creative control, writing and recording music on his own terms—often playing most of the instruments himself, with a few talented session musicians lending their magic along the way.

His latest release, Brighter Day, is his most personal work to date. Written after the end of a 13-year relationship and marriage, the album is a cathartic journey through heartbreak, healing, and hope. Across 10 deeply emotional tracks, Taylor channels those experiences into his signature Roll N Soul sound—a blend of rock, soul, and storytelling that speaks directly from the heart.

Recorded at his own Roll N Soul Studio in Maple Grove, MN, Brighter Day features contributions from some of Minneapolis’ finest, including Dario Perkins (vocals on “Long Time Comin’”), Dan Neale (guitar), Joe Savage (dobro, harmonica), Kevin Gastonguay and Brian Ziemniak (Hammond B3), and Jay Corkran (drums). Taylor handled lead vocals, background vocals, Wurlitzer, piano, acoustic and electric guitars, and bass. The album was mixed and mastered by Luke Harper.

Whether he’s singing about pain, love, or the journey in between, Taylor Robert brings it all with honesty, soul, and a sound that’s truly his own.

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