Taylor hosted an Icon Sessions retrospective at The Grammy Museum last night!
Taylor spoke at the retrospective, with attendee Larry Dvoskin sharing the following insights:
“MY NIGHT WITH TAYLOR SWIFT- The Grammy Academy hosted a Taylor Swift talk tonight. The invite just mentioned Academy President Harvey Mason Jr, but it was like a 'Wink IYKYK' thing.
Taylor came onstage and shared her beautiful stories of how she writes songs and where she gets her endless inspiration from. Then she played a few tunes for the 100 or so people there. It wasn't even sold out, there were empty seats.
I honestly am not a 'Swiftie,' though her success is as big as it gets. The biggest Grammy winning female in history. Afterward there was a reception and I had a sweet, and kinda nerdy songwriter chat with her for quite a long time. Alot of people were trying to get in and talk with her, but she has a laser attention and when it was on me, the world was shut off around us.
Here's some songwriting nuggets I wrote down.
- She told the audience "Enthusiasm can protect you from anything." At the reception I shared her the word "Enthusiasm" actually comes from ancient Greece, meaning 'the divine within,' or 'possessed by divine inspiration.'
- She plays a spinet piano on tour. I mentioned to her that Paul McCartney also plays a spinet. She told me she likes a smaller piano so she can see over it and look around at everyone onstage and in the crowd.
- ‘YES AND'- Is a big thing for her when songwriting and recording. Trying an idea, but being open to exploring music with another point of view.
- Show up to work even then the 'Idea Fairy' as she calls her muse of inspiration isn't around. It sometimes shows up when you do.
I was impressed she stayed to talk to everyone who attended. As I report this, she is likely still speaking to the people at the Grammy Museum giving every person very present, quality time.”