"That is why I am at the level I am now, it is because of Santana, KISS, Rob Thomas, Orianthi, Eric Gales and Kingfish".

Photos provided by Taj Farrant

Contributing Editor | Guitar Thrills Magazine

Sally Jane

Sally Jane is well and truly on her way to music success. With release of her debut EP resulting in three of the four tracks in the top 10 AMRAP Regional Charts including the number one spot with “Kiss You When the Rain Comes “and Sally Jane’s fourth track “Too Young” a finalist in the West Australian Music Song of the Year Awards. From small town Serpentine WA, Sally’s music takes her on the road as a regular touring artist in all WA regions and regularly across Australia to Tamworth NSW and all Australian states.

Taj Farrant may only be 14 years old, but he is well on his way to having his name next to some of the greatest guitarists in the world. Australian born, Taj found his love of music and guitars at age 9 when he attends an AC/DC concert. Seeing Angus Young do his thing was enough to convince Taj to say, “I want to do that forever”. Since that moment Taj has had many incredible opportunities like performing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2019 at only 9 years old. Taj has also been blessed to share the stage with some world class artists. “I have been so fortunate to be able to share the stage with so many great players. That is why I am at the level I am now because of Santana, KISS, Rob Thomas, Orianthi, Eric Gales and Kingfish. I have taken a little from each of those experiences and things I like about their style or playing, and you end up with ‘Taj’. So, I owe them all a lot but if I could share the stage with anyone it would have to be Angus Young. He is the reason I play guitar. And if I had a choice to play with someone not alive, 100% would be Gary Moore and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Taj has had many memorable experiences in his music career so far. “There have been so many moments people only dream of so I would say Santana was an amazing experience. Playing with someone of that caliber and he told me the most important lesson I have learned so far in this industry ‘Bring your gratitude. Be grateful Taj and love what you do’.” And that is a great lesson indeed.

At 14 years old Taj is living every musician’s dream, touring and playing sold out shows. Currently on the road touring across America with his family, Taj is enjoying every minute of it. “This tour has been crazy! I don’t even know sometimes what to expect. A couple of broken strings for sure! I am still able to play a lot of the stuff that helped get me to where I am today like Purple Rain, anything Gary Moore and SRV so I’m really letting it eat and adding in my originals as they roll out into the show until it becomes all me, that’s why I’m writing so much. I just want the world to hear Taj [Farrant].”

Due to the rapidly growing fan base here in the States, Taj and his family made the decision to move and are now living in the America full time. “We were flying back and forth so many times a year it just made sense to live here. Plus, I love it in the USA! I have been here more than half my life off and on so it’s my home away from home.” Balancing a professional career and a teenage life can be tough but off the stage Taj and his family live a very normal life. “My parents have made it normal for myself and my sister Jazel. They have everything in place for the both of us to have normal kid things like Xbox in all our tour bus bunks, stopping at cool places like Niagara Falls stuff like that. But I struggle with questions like this sometimes because it’s subjective, most kids like all that stuff like Xbox, I play a little, but guitar is like...it is my Xbox, it’s what makes me happy”

Touring on the road can mean long hours of boredom but Taj has made the most of this opportunity focusing on his album. “To be honest my album has taken up so much of that time on this tour, so while we’ve been on the road in between shows I’ve been working on it. Dad and I will bounce ideas off each other and then we’d have video calls with Ken my producer and bounce more ideas. It is now finished so now I’ve got to find something else to keep me entertained on the road! Maybe I’ll start writing another album, no but seriously, on previous tours we try to stop in at cool places like Norman’s Rare Guitar & Austin Vintage and just “geeking” out on gear with Dad. Zel and I also play card games like Uno. A favorite car game of ours is a game called “Spotto” or we make up random songs that make no sense!”.

When comparing touring in America vs Australia, Taj states that Australia is home but right now touring America is full of excitement. “[In America] The fans really turn up and man they make ALOT of noise! It’s always a fun time and my tour bus in the USA is great. In Australia I must use a caravan and truck so travelling is a lot harder, but Australia is home, and it always feels great to be back and show what I have become and play for my home culture and loved ones.” Farrant’s latest single 2x2 is Taj tipping his hat to Lenny Kravitz. “The song is about the struggle us guitar players have not being able to choose what guitars to use. So, I take both my favorites, my Strat and my Kiesel Gold Top.” With a new song coming out June 24 you can now pre save ‘I Give Up’ across streaming services today. Like any music career it can be full of ups and downs, but Taj has shown that he is well beyond his years when it comes to dealing with the downs. “Being so young has its good and bad about it.

On one hand people are amazed at what I can do for my age, but I want to be recognized for just being a good artist. That takes time and you must be ok to be playing to 50 people or 25K like I did at this year’s Byron Bay Blues Festival. Play because you love it.” Taj Farrant is a name not to be forgotten. He is an inspiration to young emerging artists and has recently been helping a lot go young artists have a crack on stage. “I have been letting lots of other young players get a chance to get up and play with myself and my band to inspire them like Santana did for me and like Orianthi did, so I love helping other young kids get up and build their confidence.

Music is not a competition it’s all love.” To anyone just starting out in the music industry here is Taj’s advice. “If you're just starting [guitar], I would have to say having time sitting down and watching people like Marty's Music on YouTube. Getting lesson breakdowns and playing things that stimulate you. Like I wanted to play "For the Love of God" by Steve Vai, it’s all there and just taken your time. It’s not a race. Try find the most comfortable guitar too. If it feels right, you won’t feel like you're fighting it.”

Don’t miss out on seeing Taj Farrant perform live as he is coming to a city near you. Head to www.tajfarrant.com/shows to see a list of upcoming shows and new blue rock music full of soul to be released soon.

B&G Guitars

A RECAP OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: "That is why I am at the level I am now, it is because of Santana, KISS, Rob Thomas, Orianthi, Eric Gales and Kingfish".

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