Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins

Tomorrow, April 12, Taylor Alexander will release his Nashville-recorded debut LP, “Good Old Fashioned Pain.” If you can’t wait until then, there’s a few tasty tracks, including the title cut, available for streaming at the usual places. “Good Old Fashioned Pain” is a 10-song album about “the pain that makes us who we are, learning not to sweat the things you can’t control, and ultimately—growing up,” says Alexander.

 Roots Radio WMOT has been playing the title track, and if you ask me, country radio will soon be savoring Taylor’s traditional country sound—the one that Nashville used to be proudly noted for. There’s smooth vocals and twangy guitar but no songs about trucks or drinking beer—just smart well-written original tunes. It’s music that I like to call “Country-Friendly and Americana-Approved.”

After releasing an Americana-embraced EP in 2016, Taylor took a break from touring to appear on Season 12 of “The Voice,” an experience that the punk music fan fondly remembers.

We appreciate Taylor giving these 11 Questions a go and look forward to his local record release show this coming Monday, April 15. The 5pm gig will be at one of East Nashville’s coolest new rooms, The Bowery Vault and also features Tim Carroll.

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

I was born in Atlanta, GA, and lived in the area before moving to Ormond Beach, FL when I was seven. We moved back to GA when I was 12, and I lived there until I moved to Nashville when I was 22. People told me for years that if you wanted to give music a real shot you had to go to Nashville, so I decided one day to pack up and go for it.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

The last record I remember buying was the self-titled Guy Clark album on vinyl from Finds in the Fork or maybe Jawbreaker’s 24 Hour Revenge Therapy on vinyl from Grimey’s.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

I’m not sure exactly what my first concert was, but most of the early shows I remember going to were local punk shows in basements or church youth rooms. The last show I saw was Steve Earle at the City Winery which was incredible. Just him and a guitar, and all of his great songs.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Guy Clark. To me, he embodied everything that makes this town great and is responsible for multiple standards of the genre.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

My usual coffee spots are Red Bicycle Coffee & Crepes in Germantown and Nyumbarista in my neighborhood, Old Hickory. As for pizza, Five Points is probably my favorite.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

This is a tough one. There are too many classic albums that were made here, and I don’t think I could choose just one. So instead I’ll tell you that hearing Travis Meadows’ album Killin’ Uncle Buzzy convinced me to move to Nashville. I saw him play a show with Levi Lowrey in GA and thought to myself that if this is what some people are doing in Nashville, then I’m going.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Waffle House. Hardly anything in Nashville is open past 10pm.

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

I’m friends with so many incredible songwriters in this town so it’s really hard to pick just three. But, I’ll go with Lindsay Ellyn, Drew Kohl, and Kiely Connell. They all played and sang on my new album and they’re all amazing artists.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

The Bowery Vault in East Nashville is my favorite right now. It’s a great listening room and the owners, Vero and Emily, are the coolest.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

I want Bob Dylan to move here so I can increase my chances of running into him at the grocery store or something.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

I just want to make albums and play shows, so hopefully more of both!