Julian Taylor is a Canadian singer-songwriter,[1] radio host, and music entrepreneur. He is known for his work in a variety of genres including rock, folk, soul, and Americana. Taylor began his music career as a founding member of the alt-rock band Staggered Crossing,[2] in the late 1990s before launching the Julian Taylor Band and eventually establishing himself as a solo artist. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, Taylor has earned critical acclaim, industry awards, and a reputation as a fiercely independent artist and advocate for musicians’ rights.
Taylor grew up in Toronto, Ontario, where he was influenced by a diverse range of musical genres including soul, hip-hop, blues, Americana, and 1990s alternative rock. In 1996, as a teenager, he co-founded Staggered Crossing, which signed with Warner Music Canada and released its debut album in 2001. The album included the hit single “Further Again,” one of the most-played Canadian rock songs of the early 2000s.
Following their departure from Warner, Taylor launched Bent Penny Records and independently released the band's next two albums, Last Summer When We Were Famous (2002) and Burgundy & Blue (2004). During this period, Taylor developed his skills in music production, business operations, and radio promotion. Notably, his work helped secure “Perfect Prize” as the highest-charting independent rock single in Canada in 2005.
Independent Work and Julian Taylor Band
After Staggered Crossing disbanded in 2007, Taylor stepped back from the mainstream industry and became a staple of Toronto’s local music scene, running an influential open stage at Dora Keogh pub. In 2014, he resurfaced with the Julian Taylor Band and the release of Tech Noir, followed by Desert Star (2015). These albums showcased his fusion of funk, rock, R&B, and pop, with Taylor noted for his strong hooks and genre-crossing style.
Solo career
Taylor’s solo breakout came with the 2020 release of The Ridge, a largely acoustic, roots-inspired album reflecting on personal experiences and family history. It earned him two Juno Award nominations (Contemporary Roots Album of the Year and Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year), a Canadian Folk Music Award for Solo Artist of the Year, and a Polaris Music Prize nomination.
His 2022 follow-up, Beyond the Reservoir, explored themes of resilience, grief, and coming of age, and was nominated for a Juno Award (Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year), a Country Music Association of Ontario Award (Roots Artist of the Year), and multiple Ontario Folk Music Awards. Both albums are regarded as deeply personal works that solidified Taylor’s voice in contemporary Canadian roots music.
Anthology and Current Projects
In October 2023, Taylor announced the release of Anthology Vol. 1, a retrospective collection spanning his work with Staggered Crossing, the Julian Taylor Band, and his solo material. The anthology also includes new tracks, symbolizing both a reflection on his career and a celebration of regaining ownership of his musical catalogue.
In September 2024, Julian Taylor released Pathways, his third solo album following the acclaimed The Ridge (2020) and Beyond the Reservoir (2022). Co-produced with Colin Linden, Pathways explores themes of identity, resilience, and self-reflection through stripped-back arrangements and introspective lyrics.[7] The title track, a duet with Allison Russell, and songs like “Weighing Down” highlight Taylor’s continued evolution as a songwriter.[8]
The album has received positive reviews from outlets including Americana UK,[9]No Depression,[10] and KLOF Magazine.[11] In addition to performing, he hosts the syndicated radio show Julian Taylor’s Jukebox, and remains active in educational and cultural outreach, particularly around Truth and Reconciliation Day in Canada.
Advocacy and Business
Taylor is also an entrepreneur and music industry advocate. Following the collapse of Song Corporation in 2001, Taylor and his Staggered Crossing bandmates played a key role in a landmark Canadian court case that led to changes in bankruptcy law, ensuring that ownership of unpublished compositions reverts to artists rather than being treated as corporate assets.
He later founded Howling Turtle Inc., which oversees his music catalogue and business affairs. Taylor also hosts the syndicated radio show Julian Taylor’s Jukebox, airing across Canada and the U.S.
↑ Christopher Waters, "Rock of ages: Members of Staggered Crossing have the experience of `road warriors,' says their lead singer of 7 years". St. Catharines Standard, 17 March 2001.
↑ "One night it's R&B, next it's folk music: Julian Taylor's versatility will be on full display this weekend". Toronto Star, 14 February 2015.
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