Since the early 2000’s, the lovely and talented Maria Taylor has graced my listening pleasure with her lush melodic crooning from the days of Azure Ray to her more recent solo efforts. Her delectable folkish lullabies have nursed my need for female singer songwriters on a many occasion. Her debut solo record, 11:11 was a regular rotation back in my days at WRST FM and my recent discovery of last year’s Lynn Teeter Flower has been on repeat to get me through the drones of cubicle life.

Savannah Drive is Taylor’s latest release, a digital collection of acoustic favorites from both 11:11 and Lynn Teeter Flower, recorded with the help of her partner in crime, Andy LeMaster. You can catch Taylor live here in Chicago both this Saturday night at Beat Kitchen, co-headlining with Jonathan Rice as well as Sunday afternoon at Belmont’s Art & Music Street Fest. After many spins of Savannah Drive, I must say I’m pretty excited to check Miss Taylor up close and personal this weekend. I was lucky to catch up with Taylor and continue MoB’s continuing feature, 5 Questions with Muzzle of Bees.

Could you lend some information on the recording process of Savannah Drive? Where and how was it recorded, and were there any lessons learned towards future recording sessions?

My friend Andy Lemaster and I recorded this EP at his house in Athens, Ga. We recorded lots of it live and added minimal overdubs. We had all the windows open . . . could hear the birds and the trains in the distance. It was a beautiful atmosphere and we wanted to try to capture it in the recordings . . .

With your upcoming tour are there any particular cities or venues that you’re particularly looking forward to playing? Are there any past tour dates that have been especially enjoyable or memorable?

I always look forward to going back south. I’m from Alabama and lived in Athens for years so it’s wonderful to get to visit family and friends so often. I also recently moved from Omaha, and so I’m looking forward to seeing all of my peeps there too!!!

What was the last show you’ve gone to as a fan?

Hmmm . . . it was a secret Elvis Costello show at the El Ray in Los Angeles.

What was your first album you ever owned? Is it one that you would still go back and listen to today?

Well, my first CD was Carole King “Tapestry” my first record was probably Michael Jackson or maybe the soundtrack to that TV show Sha Na Na . . . SP??

The internet has dramatically altered the way artists can reach an audience. With things like blogs/MySpace/etc, what are your thoughts on the power of the internet in terms of helping (or hurting) your music?

I think it is an amazing way to reach people you would never ever have been able to reach pre-internet. I also worry that all of the free downloading is going to make it difficult for artists to make a living.

Myspace: Maria Taylor