I like Elephants by Scott Taylor

His parents noticed that when he was inconsolable they could very often pacify him with music. They gave him a

pair of clunky 70's radio headphones and he wore them constantly. One of his first memories is riding across the bridge to priest point park in a child seat on the back of his mother's bicycle listening to "Dust in the Wind".

Scott spent most of his waking hours consumed with music. At 9 years old he would try getting his siblings, and other neighborhood children to put on performances in the driveway, and would become frustrated when the other children couldn't sing all the different harmony parts the way he wanted. Scott drove his mother crazy listening to songs over, and over, and over again. She ended up moving the family stereo into his room, because most days she could not get him to stop listening to music to go to bed. He would usually pass out at some point during the night, and his mother would pick him up and put him into bed.

The Beatles

When Scott first discovered the Beatles he was immediately entranced. He loved the vocal harmonies, guitar, and sense of whimsy that most Beatles songs invoked. For years his father quenched his thirst for music by giving him new Beatles albums. Of course The Beatles had been broken up for years at this point, but all the music was new to him. Scott was terribly disappointed when he found out that the Beatles had broken up, and there were no more new albums for him to listen to.

Scott's interest in music continued when he started school. Scott was a very hyper child and would rarely sit down, even in class. Some teachers and adults thought that he was autistic, because he could seem very emotionally disconnected. But really it was more that he just didn't care that much about things that didn't concern music. One teacher observed his obsession and tried to use it to both their advantage. She rewarded him for completing assignments by letting him listen to albums on headphones at the listening station at the back of the room. He would quickly complete his assignment and go to the back of the room where there was a big claw foot bath tub full of pillows, sitting next to the phonograph. He would eagerly put on whatever record was interesting him at the time, most likely The Beatles, don the headphones and hop into the tub. This tactic may have worked too well, for Scott would refuse to go outside for recess opting instead to remain in the bathtub listening to Strawberry Fields.

Scott's strange behaviors made him a discipline problem from a very early age. Neither counseling nor the drugs he was being prescribed were able to make him act "normal". He remained attending public school, and though some of his teachers thought he belonged in a special class, he mother insisted that he remain in the regular class where he continued making good grades and driving the adults crazy.

The Olympia Contingent

As Scott grew up he continued discovering music that moved him and starting writing music of his own. Growing up in Olympia in the 90's there were plenty bands around town that he could look too for inspiration. Scott was too young to get into night clubs, but would sneak in when he could. He would tag along with the older kids who were in bands, helping them carry gear, and drinking their beer if he had the chance.

Teenage years are rarely easy for anyone, but Scott had a tougher time than most. Though he had plenty of promising avenues for the future he seemed to withdraw into himself more and more. Finally, at 17 he had a nervous breakdown, and was admitted to the hospital for a brief period. He only stayed a few weeks there but he spent most of his time in front of the piano, entertaining the staff and other patients.

On the Corner of Sawyer and Olympia

After Scott graduated from High School he continued pursuing his passion for music. If you’re in the Northwest you can catch him playing somewhere almost every weekend. He’s managed to keep himself out of the hospital, though he still professes to be mad as a hatter. Scott once had an idea for what he called the bipolar t-shirt that says it all.

Fuck YOU!

… I’m Sorry

Scott is a unique individual and musical genius trapped in his own psychological quagmire. He always had the notion that he would never live to see thirty. But he’s still here, and he’s still making music.

Scott's Influences:

The Beatles The Carpenters Carole King Led Zeppelin

The Rolling Stones The Beach Boys

Nirvana Fitz of Depression

Foo Fighters The Posies

Guided By Voices Brian Wilson

Elliot Smith Paul McCartney

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