At just 22 years old, Brandon Niederauer — better known as TAZ — has already lived the kind of musical journey most artists dream about. From starring in School of Rock the Musical on Broadway to sharing the stage with The Rolling Stones, Stevie Nicks, and more, the New York native has been hailed a guitar phenom for over a decade. Now, with the release of his debut single “Say Something,” he’s stepping fully into the spotlight — and he’s doing it his way.
“‘Say Something’ is a true representation of the soundscape which represents me as an artist,” TAZ tells Celeb Secrets. “It’s certainly modern, but calls back to rock and roll, hip hop, and R&B. These styles were ingrained in me as a child who experienced a limitless amount of cultural diffusion, which can mostly be attributed to growing up in New York. Additionally, the guitar is presented as a main element of the record and has been a main element of my life for as long as I can remember.”
The track — produced by GRAMMY winner Theron “Neff-U” Feemster — blends pop, R&B, and rock into something polished, unpredictable, and fresh. “I wasn’t necessarily channeling an artist while making the record,” he admits. “Instead, my producer and I were chasing a sound we heard in our heads… a polished sound which not only represented all of the styles I love, but also could inspire a random listener to think, ‘what the hell is that.’”
Lyrically, “Say Something” digs into the tense, anxious moments before and after a fight with a loved one — something TAZ says came from a very real place. “It was certainly inspired by several real experiences I’ve had as a young adult, dealing with the conversational social norms we experience every day,” he shares. But that honesty didn’t come easily. “Being vulnerable was a huge problem for me when I started writing in studios back in 2019. Growing up, I was taught to be rough on the exterior and shield any emotional turmoil from outsiders… that is the opposite thing one should do when writing a song. It took years of unlearning that habit until I could write with this level of vulnerability and be comfortable knowing these lyrics could reach an unlimited amount of ears.”
That openness developed over time in Neff-U’s studio. “Working consistently out of his studio with the same group of people allowed me to build trust with both his team and the space. In turn, little by little, I broke out of my shell. Simultaneously, we worked tirelessly experimenting with different vibes, genre fusions, etc. until we created this song and many others alongside it, which fit into what I now call my sound.”
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And now, he’s ready to bring it home — literally. On August 14, TAZ celebrated “Say Something” with a special headlining show at New York City’s Mercury Lounge. “It means everything. We specifically created this music with live performance in mind. I’ve been looking forward to releasing music for so long, so I can’t wait to show all of it to those in attendance,” he said ahead of the show. Fans can expect “plenty of unreleased originals, and many surprises.”
Hometown shows come with their own energy, too. “Usually, my family members and rowdy friends are in attendance, supplying a different but amazing vibe. It always feels like a reunion. However, I do not approach them differently. My goal is still the same: spread love and make them feel something.”
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From his days as a Broadway kid to jamming with rock legends, TAZ’s path has been anything but ordinary. “I knew it was time [to go solo] when the music was finished,” he explains. “Now, I have an incredible musical representation of me, which I’m extremely proud to promote. I love playing for other artists and projects as well, but I’m equally as excited to start this new era.”
Along the way, he’s collected wisdom from some of the industry’s best — including John Mayer, who once called him “the first young guitar player that is not a gimmick.” “Be myself, and play with intention,” TAZ says of Mayer’s advice. “I try to live by those words each day, as they apply to all things in life.”
His time in School of Rock the Musical also left a permanent mark. “Building something great takes work. We rehearsed for 12 hours per day in order to build that musical. I try to bring the same work ethic into my artistry as well.”
That discipline came in handy during his years at Yale University, where he somehow managed to balance academics with a touring and performance career. “Being in school helped me build a bank of experiences to utilize not only in the pursuit of personal growth, but also in songwriting. I balanced my career with academics by making sure I didn’t procrastinate (most of the time) and studying with friends.”
He credits his experience on screen and stage — from NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live to Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It — with helping shape his artistry now. “The most captivating projects I’ve been a part of relied on fantastic storytelling along with performance. At the end of the day, my only goal is to make people feel something. Therefore, I’ve modulated my songwriting and live performance strategies to build more than just songs and live shows, but stories as well.”
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Next up: a tour with Jon Batiste that includes his first-ever show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre. “I’ve never played at Red Rocks! It’s such a historic venue and I can’t wait to play there. Also, I’ve never slept in a tour bus… so wish me luck,” he says with a laugh. And yes — more music is on the horizon. “More genre bending songs are coming very, very soon.”
And for a guy who’s played Coachella, the Met Gala, and jammed with some of the greatest musicians alive, the thrill of creation is still his driving force. His Celeb Secret? “I frequently use my notes app to jot down random bars I think of… I also use the voice memos app everywhere as soon as I get an idea… on planes, in the bathroom, doesn’t matter. Anything to get the idea down.”
With “Say Something,” TAZ isn’t just introducing himself — he’s showing the world exactly who he is: fearless, authentic, and impossible to ignore.
Listen to “Say Something” below and 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 sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
You can connect with TAZ by giving him a follow on Instagram at @brandonniederauer.
