The band’s self-titled sophomore album, Royal Tailor, out October 22 on Essential Records, is an electrifying step forward on every front: funkier, more danceable grooves; bigger sing-alongs; broader stylistic leaps; and deeper, more intimate conversations about God and faith. Royal Tailor shows the eclectic, pop-infused rock band fully growing into that potential.
"I think the first album was based off of our instincts, because we were so new to everything," singer Tauren Wells says. "In the last two years of touring, we've all grown. This time, we knew what we wanted to do, knew what we wanted to write about. Being out there on the road, seeing the things that kids are dealing with, what we’re dealing with ourselves too -- there's just so much learning that has taken place that we were ready to pour it all into these songs."
Royal Tailor’s songs expand on Black & White’s soul- and funk-angled pop sensibilities, stylistically spanning as broadly as the four bandmates’ influences, from hip-hop to pop, R&B, EDM, rock and gospel, with Wells' powerful, acrobatic vocal leading the way. Hats are tipped from Michael Jackson to Coldplay, though the LP remains centered, lyrically, on inspiration for anyone to know they can change no matter where they are, and in turn, can make a difference in the world and positively impact culture.
The hope is that the songs on Royal Tailor will move feet, hearts and minds, encouraging listeners to get closer to both God and their community -- to focus on coming together when too many people are pulling apart.
"We want to connect people, because there's strength in unity,” Wells says. "We believe that we're called to build bridges, not walls."
Royal Tailor feels called to use its music and campaigns to help tear down the walls that already exist, too -- the ones we put up between each other, because of differences in politics, religion, race or preference; or self-imposed walls, allowing circumstances or guilt to make us feel separated from God and happiness.
“Nothing can completely knock you down unless you let it,” Wells says. “So this album is get-back-up music. This is don't-let-'em-hold-you-down music."
Royal Tailor’s get-back-up music is fittingly celebratory, from the dance floor energy and spiritual enthusiasm of "Ready Set Go" and "Got That Fire” to the encouraging, '80s-throwback pop of "Jesus Love." But the album has tender moments, too, including thanks-bearing ballad "You Are My Rescue" and “Remain,” an uplifting anthem of steadfast faithfulness.
The breadth is intentional, meant to reflect the well-rounded, well-honed musicianship that defines Royal Tailor as a unit.
"There's rap, there's more guitar solos, bigger drum tones, funkier basslines,” Wells says. “I think if people give Royal Tailor a chance, they'll find that there's something for everyone."
Produced by Chris Stevens (Mandisa, Colton Dixon), Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp) and Chuck Butler (worked with Britt Nicole, Brandon Heath), Royal Tailor boasts additional collaborators tobyMac on 80’s pop throwback, “Jesus Love,” and other co-producer, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings, who co-wrote and teamed up on the song “Ready Set Go.”
To craft and capture the songs on Royal Tailor, the band connected with a mix of talented collaborators including producers Chris Stevens (Mandisa, Colton Dixon), Aaron Lindsey (Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp) and Chuck Butler (worked with Britt Nicole, Brandon Heath), hit songwriter Jason Ingram and co-writer, producer and friend, Cole Walowac of Capital Kings on the song “Ready Set Go.” To ramp up its already explosive live show, Royal Tailor also teamed with musical director Adam Blackstone, known for guiding Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Rihanna and countless other mega-talents.
"The musicianship and the level that he brought it to was just crazy," Wells says of Blackstone. "I learned a lot about the energy that it takes to really move people emotionally -- he was completely tapped into all of that, and shared it with us."
The act of sharing one's gifts fittingly forms "an integral part of who we are" as a band, Wells says. Prior to signing with Essential, Royal Tailor spent a year working at a Granite City, Ill., church, mentoring and teaching kids to form their own worship bands, an experience that Ingram says instilled a valuable sense of patience and purpose. The band’s continued to follow that passion, helping students across the U.S. at colleges, camps, master classes and shows aimed at underlining the importance of music and teaching the fundamental truths of how impactful the arts, mixed with positive messaging, can truly be. Wells also recently developed Prisma Worship Arts School in his home of Houston, Tex., aimed at inspiring and teaching a new generation of faith-based artists.
"We're constantly trying to think of ways to be involved with the next generation," Wells says, "We want to invest in people, and (teaching) showed us that it could be done, that balancing both worlds is possible -- going out and being on the road and having a meaningful, personal impact."
Whether it’s through writing, recording, performing or talking about God and faith with fans and friends, that push toward a meaningful, personal impact stays front and center for the members of Royal Tailor. They’ve had far and wide opportunities to share that intent since Black & White’s 2011 release, from its Best Contemporary Christian Music Album GRAMMY nomination, to being honored as Google’s “50 bands under 30,” to a stocked international touring schedule, including Casting Crowns’ 43-city “Come To The Well” tour, Britt Nicole’s “You’re Worth More Than Gold” tour alongside Group 1 Crew, the Pollstar-topping, 44-city Winter Jam arena tour (seeing more than 550,000 in attendance) and Newsong’s “Swallow The Ocean” Tour.
With Royal Tailor, the band aims to take the conversation further, to start deeper discussions of faith and community, to encourage more focused action – to help keep knocking down walls.
“We want people to come and enjoy the music, have fun and enjoy the presence of God,” Wells says. “But we also want to inspire them to go out and do something with that, like it has inspired us. We want to encourage them to get ready and go get plugged into their community, in their schools, in their churches and make a difference. We want people to know you can be who you want to be, you can achieve what you want to achieve and realize we’ve all been created for something greater than ourselves”
“So, let’s all be that hope, be the light, be the love right now! Ready, Set, Go!”
Members:
Tauren Wells
Blake Hubbard
DJ Cox
Jarrod Ingram
Website: http://www.royaltailoronline.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/royaltailor
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/royaltailor
Run To Love
Royal Tailor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You hope that no one else will ever see
The truth is everyone has scars
It doesn't matter who you are
Heartbreak's got you on the move
Tell me, where's it taking you
Run, run, run to love
'Cause love, love waits for us
Waits for us with open arms
Run to love
Always trying to impress your friends
Intoxicated by adrenaline
You're racing down a dead end road
We all know how that story goes
You live like there's nothing left to lose
What if that isn't true
Come closer now
And hear the sound
Love's calling out
The song "Run To Love" by Royal Tailor is about the struggles that people face internally and externally, and their search for love to overcome those struggles. The lyrics showcase how everyone struggles in some way or another, but instead of hiding it, we should embrace it and seek love as the solution. The chorus urges the listener to run towards love, as it waits for us with open arms.
The first verse of the song talks about the secrets people hide and the scars that everyone carries, but instead of keeping them to ourselves, we should let love help us heal. The second verse highlights how we often get caught up in trying to impress others, which can lead us down a dangerous path, but we should remember that love is always there for us, waiting with open arms. The bridge of the song encourages us to come closer and listen to the sound of love calling out to us.
"Run To Love" has a powerful message about the importance of seeking love to overcome our struggles, and not allowing our past to define us. The song is a reminder that love can heal and help us move forward, and it encourages us to embrace our vulnerabilities rather than hide them.
Line by Line Meaning
You hide secrets in your sleeves
You keep things hidden from others and act as if everything is alright.
You hope that no one else will ever see
You don't want anyone else to know about your problems or struggles.
The truth is everyone has scars
Despite trying to keep it hidden, everyone has been hurt or gone through tough times.
It doesn't matter who you are
No one is immune to heartbreak or pain.
Heartbreak's got you on the move
You're trying to escape your pain and heartbreak by running away.
Tell me, where's it taking you
But running away doesn't solve anything, so where are you going with all this running?
Run, run, run to love
Instead of running away from your problems, you should run towards love.
Run to love
Find love and let it heal your wounds.
'Cause love, love waits for us
Love is patient and is always waiting for us, we just have to accept it.
Waits for us with open arms
Love is always ready to welcome and embrace us, no matter our past.
Always trying to impress your friends
You put a lot of pressure on yourself to impress others and fit in with your friend group.
Intoxicated by adrenaline
You're addicted to the rush and excitement of always pushing yourself to impress others.
You're racing down a dead end road
But this path isn't leading anywhere, it's a dead end.
We all know how that story goes
This isn't a new or unique experience, many people have been down this same path.
You live like there's nothing left to lose
You're reckless and live as if you have nothing to lose, but that's not necessarily true.
What if that isn't true
What if there is something to lose? Maybe you should slow down and re-evaluate.
Come closer now
Take a step closer to love.
And hear the sound
Listen to the call of love.
Love's calling out
Love is reaching out to you, all you have to do is accept it and let it in.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BLAKE HUBBARD, CHUCK BUTLER, TAUREN WELLS, TONY WOOD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind