Rebecca Lucy Taylor, widely recognized as Self Esteem, is a burgeoning talent who has been actively engaged in various endeavors lately.
She recently showcased her versatility by portraying Sally Bowles in the enduring production of Cabaret in London’s West End. Under the direction of Rebecca Frecknall, Taylor graced the stage at the Kit Kat Club, earning acclaim from critics and audiences alike.
The production commenced in September 2023 with an initial end date of January 20, 2024. However, owing to overwhelming demand, its run was extended until March 9, 2024.
Adding to her already packed schedule, Taylor is slated to make an appearance tonight (March 25) on the renowned BBC quiz show, Richard Osman’s House of Games. Clearly, she is not one to slow down. But what more can we discern about Taylor? Let’s delve into her journey thus far.
What Band Was Rebecca Lucy Taylor In?
At 35 years old, the singer started her solo journey under the moniker Self Esteem in 2017, debuting with the single “Your Wife.” Prior to this, she gained initial recognition as one half of the duo Slow Club.
Slow Club originated in Sheffield in 2006, featuring Taylor and Charles Watson, who shared responsibilities for guitars and vocals, with Watson also on piano and Taylor on drums.
The indie-folk duo collaborated on five albums and even produced a documentary chronicling their final tour in 2016. Reflecting on their journey in the film, Taylor candidly expressed,
“Nothing terrible has happened. But for me anyway… it just doesn’t feel right and happy anymore.”
In an interview, Taylor disclosed that being a part of Slow Club felt more like assuming a “role,” restricting her ability to fully express her musical tastes.
This limitation prompted her transition to Self Esteem, where she could authentically infuse her artistic vision into her work.
“Self Esteem sounds more like what I love, which in turn makes it really fun to play live. I love every bit of it,” she said.
Under the guise of Self Esteem, Taylor clinched the esteemed 2021 BBC Music Introducing Award. Also, her sophomore solo album, “Prioritise Pleasure,” garnered significant acclaim, earning a nomination for the prestigious 2022 Mercury Prize.
How Does Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s Sexuality Relate To The Music She Puts Out As Self Esteem?
Taylor proudly identifies as bisexual, infusing her personal experiences into her music, notably in the song “Girl Crush,” which she affectionately describes as a “bi-bop.”
Her songs often delve into themes of love, relationships, and intimate connections, with “Girl Crush” serving as no exception, further showcasing Taylor’s candid and authentic expression through her music.
Taylor explained that the song is linked to personal experience:
“I’m bisexual and I’m quite feminine but I’m also quite tall, so I’ve always found that drunk straight girls gravitate towards me in a club or a party or whatever.
For years, because I was attracted to them, I’d go along with it. But then I’d be like, ‘There’s nothing in this for me.’ I’m just a good story for people.”
Indeed, “Girl Crush” stands in stark contrast to other popular tracks like Rita Ora’s “Girls” or Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.”
“I mean, I love Katy Perry, but ‘I Kissed A Girl’ is everything that’s wrong with everything, and it set people like me back a lot. So I just wanted to do an anti-‘I Kissed A Girl’ song. Just so people know it’s not very fun for the queer girl in this situation. It’s a bi-bop, we call it. There’s not enough of them,” Taylor expressed.
