Meet Taydem Shoesmith

Taydem Shoesmith started writing music during her sophomore year of highschool as an outlet, a journal. Time passed and her love for music grew, so in 2022, on New Years Eve, she released her first professional studio-made song “Are You Clapping?” We meet her after her latest release, a new jazz single called “This, That.” Taydem Shoesmith currently lives in Iowa.

The music of Taydem Shoesmith

you don’t have to have everything figured out to start.
Just start and you’ll figure it out as you go.

1 In Music: What is unique about you and your music?

Taydem Shoesmith [TS]: I’m not sure if I’ve really figured out what is unique about me and my music. I’m really just starting out, and I don’t know if I have a clear direction with my music. Right now, I just want to make music that I like, and that conveys a message I care about. And I hope others enjoy listening to my music and find a way to relate to it as well.

1 In Music: What or who shaped your music and who supports you?

TS: Music isn’t something I ever thought I’d actually make if I’m being honest, so it’s kind of hard to pinpoint what shaped my music. I started singing because of my dad singing us kids to bed every night, so you can say it started there. I grew up listening to rock and country, and now I listen to more pop and dance music. An artist that’s really made an impact on me though was Michael Jackson. He was an all rounder, with the vocals, the lyrics, the dancing, and the stage presence. Artists like that make me want to work harder and learn more. As for who supports me, I got really lucky and blessed in that sense. My family really supports me, my parents especially, more than I deserve. My mom has constantly pushed me to do the things that scare me, and if it wasn’t for her, I never would’ve made any music.

1 In Music: When did you realize you were going to make music professionally?

TS: Making music professionally still sounds so funny to me! I’d never thought I’d have the courage to step out of my box and go after something so not secure, but I’m glad I’m trying now. When I wrote and created my first single “Are You Clapping?” I really just made it thinking my parents and I were going to be the only ones who listened to it. Never did I expect it to be received so well by other people, so I’m really thankful to those who liked that song because it made me want to create more.

The sounds that inspire Taydem Shoesmith

1 In Music: What type of music do you listen to?

Taydem Shoesmith [TS]: I listen to mostly pop, but I enjoy a lot of different genres as well. I like dance, electronic, reggae, RnB, jazz, and alternative. I don’t really listen to country as much any more, but I enjoy the occasional country song too. Some of my favorite artists/ groups are Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, and BTS. I generally like songs with a good message, or clever lyrics. I love the title tracks of albums, but I feel like the real gems of an album are usually found in the B-side tracks!

1 In Music: Who, to you, is the most undervalued music artist?

TS: Undervalued music artist? That is a good question! Tate McRae who recently just blew up the charts with her new song “Greedy,” is probably who I would say. She’s finally getting some big recognition which is so great! I’ve been a fan of hers since her YouTube channel, so it’s been so amazing how she’s gradually made a name for herself in music. I think her voice has a unique charm to it, and I think her lyric writing is so good. She knows how to be clever and yet relatable with her songs, and it’s something I really admire and aspire to do with my music!

1 In music: How do you prepare for your performances?

TS: I haven’t actually performed yet, so I don’t really have an answer for this. Maybe further down the road, when I have more songs out and a bit more experience, I’ll be able to better answer this question. I’m excited to see where this road takes me, and excited to see how I would go about getting ready for performances. I’m sure I’d be a nervous wreck for my first performances, so if you have any advice on how to overcome that, that would be great haha!

Getting inspiration from Taydem Shoesmith

1 In Music: What passions do you have beside music (creative or otherwise)?

Taydem Shoesmith [TS]: Before I got into making music, I was actually out there trying to get into the acting world (see Taydem Shoesmith, actress). I started acting in middle school because an acting school opened up in my town. And then after I graduated, I received my first role in 2020 in a horror short film. Acting has always been so intriguing to me because of how I get to see the world through others’ eyes, and plus all the fun outfits for each character! I also enjoy learning different languages. I’ve been learning Korean with my cousin for almost 4 years now. For how long it’s been my Korean should be better, but I’m trying haha! I think it’s so cool how when you learn a language you get to learn a different culture. The different customs, holidays, mannerisms, food, ect, are so interesting, and it keeps me open minded to try new things.

1 In music: Success to you is…?

Taydem Shoesmith [TS]:

[Success to me is] Making enough money, from doing the things I love, to support myself and family.

I kind of want to say, making a name for myself, but at the end of the day I just want to create music or films that bring joy to people. I don’t have a doctor’s brain or the fight of a lawyer, but I think music and films impact people’s lives quite a bit too. I know they impact me, so I hope to do the same too with what I create. That would be success for me.

1 In Music: What do you wish you were told when you started out and that you think would help anyone who starts out?

TS: I kind of wish someone would’ve told me that you don’t have to have everything figured out to start. Just start and you’ll figure it out as you go. I think I held back for so long because I was afraid of not knowing everything. But obviously you can’t know if you don’t try.

What is next for Taydem Shoesmith?

1 In Music: Any upcoming projects?

Taydem Shoesmith [TS]: As of right now I don’t have any big projects coming up. We finished filming for the short silent film “La Fée Verte,” that my new single will be premiering in, a couple weeks ago. That was so fun with the 1920’s costumes and decorations. There was even an antique car that was brought for filming which was so cool! I’m looking forward to seeing how the film comes out!

1 In Music: Where do we find your music?

TS: You can find my music on all streaming platforms! My YouTube, Spotify, and iTunes are just my name “Taydem Shoesmith.” If you want to know a little more about me and my personality, my shared YouTube account “Shoeschoose” is a good place for that!

find out more on Taydem Shoesmith official website