Taylor Czerwinski
Always at the forefront of Charleston's art industry, Taylor Czerwinski has made full use of her Arts Management degree. Her watercolors have graced local art galleries, and her photographs have documented souls, communities, and current events. Moreover, she's the founder of the photojournalistic music publication, 9 to 5 magazine, but she's far from done. Armed with her trusty ukulele, she's ready to explore the other side of the industry.
Working “with 9 to 5 and witnessing how artists evolve and grow through their fears is inspiring. I realized that it's okay to be nervous; to be vulnerable. I feel more at peace being able to release my emotions through songwriting and excited to collaborate with artists I've admired over the years.”
Listeners can expect her album to uniformly focus on raw and real metaphors as the photos she showcases. Her self-reflection themes and the “freedom of releasing old trauma” is a ground-level everyone can recount.
“Pocket Change is about a relationship going well, but the subtle red flags were being suppressed, causing me to become quickly lost in a surface relationship.” Furthermore, the songs serve as a reminder that “even the little things you do add up” and that “honoring myself” is essential.
The bridge in her self-titled track is an all-embracing summary:
“I don’t carry pocket change light/
Cause even all the nickels and the dimes/
add up to something
And oh, isn’t it funny/
How little value can feel so heavy?
And oh, isn’t it funny/
How little value can feel so heavy?”
“This song was written on my bedroom floor from feeling confused about a love I thought would be forever. I realized that the subtle feelings I was having were genuine and how angry I became for ignoring my inner guide. I hated how I quickly defied myself for love.”
“Pocket Change” is set to be released between the end of the year to early 2021. In the meantime, demos are available on SoundCloud. Czerwinski is also an avid Instagram story poster of her haunting vocal cords and ukulele sidekick.
January of 2021 will be 9 to 5 Magazine's fourth year running. For Czerwinski, she had no aspiration to operate a printing after college. Her specialty lies in painting, but her family roots stem from music.
“Growing up with a family of musicians, I was curious. When you're in school, your focus is getting to the next phase of your responsibilities. Once you're on your own, the world suddenly opens up. I felt letting go of what I thought I knew allowed me to discover a more deep-rooted passion I didn't know. Deciding to do something you have no idea how to do is equally the hardest and most rewarding thing. You learn so much quicker and find passion in doing what you love.”
Considering that most magazines fail within their first year, she gives credit to the community, and herself, for adaptability. The act of evolving is part of the success and secret to “subconsciously nurturing each other.” In co-ordinance with adaptation, Czerwinski and her team aim to provide an array of services to artists and start-up businesses soon.
The amount of support does not go unnoticed. Musicians and producers are encouraged to apply for an article with a photo session opportunity. The invitation also extends to photographers to submit their view of the world, and business owners can create their piece transparent with the publication.
Photography has always been a frequent artistic platform for Czerwinski to explore the environment surrounding her. However, her view behind the lens has drastically expanded since her journalistic journey.
“9 to 5 has inspired me to be creative in ways beyond what I thought was possible. When I listen to the artist's music, I create visuals from their auditory experiences and work through concepts as a team. It's more a collaborative effort that I have found myself enjoying more and more as time progresses. I'm only as strong as the team I am on. I'm continually learning, and I love that.”
Czerwinski turns to several creative outlets to balance managing a magazine, scheduling studio time, and photo sessions. In addition to monetary saving, she's found inspiration in cooking as a stress reliever, expressing her palate. Moreover, she still finds time to pick up a paintbrush:
“Through frequently traveling to Arizona, I'm enamored by the expansive landscape, which makes me want to paint the colorful desert and be present in its open air. “
2020 has slowed Czerwinski down from expressing her palates. It's fuel to be the best version of herself. She values the paths crossed with so many others helping her “be accountable to show up and learn through the struggle.”
“I find it vital to accept that as humans, we don't know everything. Enjoy yourself as you figure it out. Your gut is your guide. Be grateful where you are on that path, and if you get lost, asking for help doesn't make you weak: It makes your braver for trying.”
