Saturday, 22 November 2008

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Welcome
I'm so grateful to be writing these words in a world where I know that compromise is the unfortunate reality that puts food on the table. I grew up on the smallest street in one of the smallest suburbs in Jo'burg South Africa. I asked my mother if she remembered … she said she'd never forget. It was sometime in my final year of school, she was following me to my car trying to find out what was wrong with me. When she caught up to me, I broke down like I never had before and never have since. I said to her, "I'm probably gonna be some dumb stupid pastor who wished he'd made it in music." [NOT THAT I HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST PASTORS!!] "How can Justin Taylor from Tienie Street ever dream to do anything meaningful for music in this world?"…

I don't quite remember what she said, but I remember thinking that my own dream was too much for me. So I gave up on it… I travelled & studied & became exactly what I hoped I'd never become. Everyday I was becoming better & better at becoming something I never wanted to be. Eventually after about 5 years, choked by the reality of my circumstances which I, by my doubt and unbelief had created, I hit the bottom. With no more love left for life & urged by the voices of many friends , who made me believe I actually stood a chance of achieving my dream, I started to believe myself & IN myself.

I started playing for other artists professionally for 2 years and even they spurred me on further to consider that I needn't ride in the wake of others' success, but that I could stand on my own. In believing I finally came alive. In the face of what used to be the very substance of my doubt, I have called this album. "From Tienie Street" I owe this album to everyone who made me believe 'I can'. You have taken me from nothing to something & now to everything. So now I stand on my own. Unassisted by production or a band. Just me, my songs, my guitar & my voice. This is for you thank you all!