In 1996, Paula Taylor launched her own line of clothing, Ultra
Vivid, and opened a boutique with the same name. She is the founder of
Pour Moi boutique, which she sold in 2008. In the late ’90s, Taylor
played bass and sang for the garage/laundry-room rock band The BLT and
was half of the rap sensation The 520. Presently, she is styling,
producing fashion shows, teaching at the Art Institute and writing. She
lives with her husband, Clif Taylor.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
My very early years were spent in Michigan, and my neighbor’s big
brother Jimmy (whom I worshipped because he played guitar in the
neighborhood garage band) took me to see Ted Nugent! I was 9, and he
was 14 and super-cool.
What CDs are in your changer right now?
Bob Dylan, The Bootleg Series; the Exploding Hearts,
Shattered; Faces, Five Guys Walk Into a Bar …; Ian
Svenonius’ latest band: Chain and the Gang, Down With Liberty … Up
With Chains!; and a Big Star compilation.
How many total albums do you own (CDs, vinyl, cassettes,
8-tracks)?
More than 250 LPs; the same for CDs.
Do you download music, and if so, legally or illegally?
I’m not so much a downloading kind of gal, but I have some great
friends who send me what I need.
What was the first album you owned?
Some Shaun Cassidy album which I would kiss daily.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
I hope there would be lots of music, but I guess if I had to pick
one, it would be “If I’m on the Late Side” by Faces.
Musically speaking, what do you love that your friends don’t know
about? What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
David Allan Coe and Willie Nelson.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
My two Pauls: Westerberg and Weller. The Replacements and the Jam
made me feel alive and want to run around and scream.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all
time?
David Bowie, Hunky Dory.
This article appears in Dec 10-16, 2009.