Taylor Upsahl, styled as UPSAHL, is a certified emerging star on the electro-pop scene. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona and thanks to her punk-rocker dad, music has been a huge part of her life since she can remember. She learnt how to sing and play instruments from the age of 5 and went on to attend Arizona School for the Arts, a performing arts middle/high school where she would receive classical guitar and piano training. Her passion for performing meant she became well known throughout Phoenix’s music scene and at 19, after graduating high-school, she made the life-changing decision to head out West to LA, where she fully intended to make it big.

As we now know, it was a wise decision. After just two years living in the States’ creative capital, UPSAHL has already made a name for herself. She released her first EP, ‘Hindsight 20/20’, last year - a big, bold alt-pop bombshell that channelled the mischievous, confrontational energy of a precocious teen with a razor-sharp radar for phonies and fakes, and featured the TikTok favourite, ‘Drugs’, a sassy ode to the good-stuff. She’s continued to smash out her rock infused party pop and has received a lot of love for it, amassing millions of streams. The rebellious, independent spirit that drove her to California in her teens is palpable in her music which is packed full of grungy bass lines, mischievous goading melodies and gleefully delivered, wise-cracking lyrics. It helps too that her tracks are devilishly infectious; UPSAHL’s crisp, clear vocals are irresistible and there’s a hook at every turn within the colourful, rock-infused production that’s built into her songs.

Now, as you may have guessed, we’re very excited about UPSAHL. So, we decided to catch up with her to hear about, among other things, the inspiration behind her music, her experiences in LA and what the future holds… (Massive hint, there’s a project in the works!)

Who would you say are your musical influences?

I grew up listening to a lot of Gwen Stefani, Outkast and Weezer, and I feel like my music is a mixture of those three different worlds. I remember being like 7 years old and thinking I wanted to be a bad bitch like Gwen Stefani, so she definitely inspired the way I look at being a female musician.

What drew you to pursue a career as an artist?

My dad was in punk bands and had a band room in our house. There were always musicians coming and going, so I was surrounded by music since I was born. Growing up in that environment allowed me to make music at a young age and then it became the only thing that I was really good at.

Your songs are refreshingly, well, blunt! What drew you to your playfully sassy style of lyricism?

There's something so empowering about saying shit like it is, in real life and in music. As someone who loves listening to relatable songs, I try to bring that sassy conversationalism into my songwriting as well.

Some of your most popular songs are about fake friends, sex and drugs – Now would living and working in LA have anything to do with this?

Definitely. I'm a completely different person now than I was when I first moved to LA. I've learned so much about myself through the relationships and friendships that have come and gone since being here, and I've realized how fake things can get in a city like LA. Writing songs is definitely an outlet for me to vent about my everyday experiences there.

Have you ever felt pressured by the industry to behave or look a certain way?

Yes. Especially as a woman. For a while, it would get to me, but now I just say fuck it. I remember one time I was in a fitting and the stylist told me that I needed to lose 10 pounds and not eat until the video shoot that was 2 days later... So naturally, I went to Popeyes immediately after the fitting and slammed a spicy chicken sandwich :)

We’re navigating a fraught political landscape on both sides of the Atlantic at the moment, and of course the US election is coming up. Do you feel like your music channels a particular political worldview or message?

I feel like now more than ever, anyone with a platform, regardless of how big or small, needs to be using it to inspire people to do good. I try to keep my fans informed through social media regarding politics and current events because this election is life changing for the US. My music is about being unapologetically yourself, embracing your sexuality, making your own choices, and pissing off older generations who try to tell you what to do, so I would hope that it inspires my fans to vote that way.

How did you get involved with Dua Lipa’s song ‘Good in Bed?’

I started the idea for Good in Bed with my friends Melanie Fontana and Lindgren. Dua heard it, finished it up, and then next thing we knew, it was on her album. I still have to pinch myself that I got to write a song with Dua. She’s a badass.

Which artists would you like to work with the most?

Doja Cat. I'm fucking obsessed with her.

What music are you really loving at the moment?

I've been listening to a lot of Radiohead, the new Beyonce album, SZA, and The Shins.

Finally, is there anything new and exciting coming up for the future?

My EP will be dropping very soon! Most of it was made in quarantine, and it's all about my life in the past year, so I can't wait for everyone to hear it. I'll definitely be doing more livestream shows while we wait for touring to start back up safely again.

UPSAHL’s latest single ‘People I Don’t Like,’ is out now and available to stream on Spotify.

Telling it like it is! An introduction to UPSAHL, the up-and-coming alt-pop starlet with punk rock spirit