After finding major success in Titanium — a pop group that was the first New Zealand act to have a debut single hit number one on the official New Zealand Singles Chart — singer/songwriter Zac Taylor officially steps back into the spotlight for his debut solo single “Stay In The Night.”
The smooth love song blends Zac’s signature soul, pop and R&B sound that, according to the artist, “lays down all of the emotions we all feel, no matter what surrounds us in the time.” And after just seconds of listening, you’ll want to “stay in the night” with that special someone all night long.
“I was inspired by an old relationship of mine to write this song, and it was a very natural writing process,” Taylor tells Celeb Secrets. “I worked on this record with two of my close friends who are both incredible musically which made the whole writing process so much better.”
Celeb Secrets sits down (virtually) with Zac to hear more about the creative process behind “Stay In The Night” and its music video, what he learned from being in Titanium, and what’s to come from him in 2021.
Make sure to listen to “Stay In The Night” and read our full Q&A below — don’t forget to let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets. You can also keep up with Zac by following him on Instagram at @itszactaylor.
Celeb Secrets: Congrats on the release of your new single “Stay in the Night” — can you tell us about the meaning behind it?
Zac Taylor: “It’s that all too familiar story of being with someone and wanting to remain in a time or a moment – not wanting it to end. A direct love song laying down the emotions we all feel, no matter what surrounds us in the time.
I was inspired by an old relationship of mine to write this song, it was a very natural writing process. I worked on this record with two of my close friends who are both incredible musically which made the whole writing process so much better.”
CS: What were some of your favorite memories from recording the song?
ZT: “Honestly I just enjoyed getting out of the city and going into the country where we worked on this record. Just a bunch of friends having fun making music.”
CS: You just dropped the music video for the track and we’re absolutely loving it! Talk to us about the concept behind the visual and how everything came into place.
ZT: “I wanted to create something simple but picturesque. Nothing to complicated or story based. I want people to watch it and get whatever they get form it, hoping that each person’s experience is different. Working alongside my director Taine Noble was effortless. He knows how to work alongside an artist and bring their vision to life.”
CS: Do you have any behind-the-scenes secrets from filming the music video that we wouldn’t know when watching it?
ZT: “The day we decided to film and leave the city to our first location we found out that Melbourne was about to enter stage 4 lockdown. We weren’t sure if we would be able to get back home or not but proceeded to continue filming. Lucky we did because Melbourne ended up being in lockdown for 4 months which meant the video wouldn’t have been filmed and I wouldn’t have a song out this year.”
CS: We know that you are no stranger to music, as you were previously in the pop group Titanium. Did you take anything from being in a group and apply it to your solo music?
ZT: “I think the whole experience has shaped me into the artist I am today. I got to tour countries and break records with the boys making unforgettable memories.”
CS: We also know it’s been four years since leaving Titanium. What made now the right time to release solo music, as we know that “Stay in the Night” is your solo debut?
ZT: “I started working on this debut project 2 years ago. I wasn’t in a good place mentally when I first left the band so I had to spend some time finding myself again and exploring new waters. I moved countries and started working on my craft until I felt I had a body of work i was ready to share with the world.”
CS: Do you still keep in contact with any of your former band members? If so, would you be open to collaborating with them on a song in the future?
ZT: “Of course! Me and the boys are like family. We talk from time to time and we’re all super supportive of each other’s music. We have talked about coming together for a song sometime but for now I’m focused on my project and seeing where this takes me.
CS: Is “Stay in the Night” similar to the other music you plan on releasing?
ZT: “Although all my songs are slightly different, they all link together telling a story taking the listeners on a journey.”
CS: What can we expect from you musically in 2021?
ZT: “More music, more visuals and of course live shows.”
