Tar & Flowers, the brainchild and moniker of California-native Taylor Hungerford, has been recording music under the name for almost a decade.
Its origin – an allusion to a line in one of Hungerford’s songs about a drifter, contrasting beauty and lifespan – speaks to the soulful contemplation integral to his sound.
With the influence of his hometown’s rich cowboy culture, exposure to honky-tonk country and rock guitar techniques alike, and a vast appreciation for the sprawling west, Hungerford creates a unique blend of folk-rock Americana that emphasizes lyricism as paramount over melody and production.
Accompanying instrumentalists include Max Bauhof, Jordan Bush, Jonathan Sheldon, Brandon Loulias and more. Together, the group endeavors to tell stories that will impact people, no matter their genre preference.
Their latest release, a May single called “Nobody Loves You Like I Do,” examines identity and indecision when loving a person at war with themselves.
It opens with prominent fiddle work by Sheldon that is succinctly supported by guitar and percussion. Hungerford’s smooth and soft spoken voice adds a gentle intimacy to the narrative that particularly shines in the bridge, when a change in chord progression pushes him into his clear upper register. “I know someone is looking for me / That can see deep inside / And know they were born free,” he sings, imagining himself free from his lover’s chains as the slide guitar echoes his melody.
A previous inclusion on this single release package is their 2025 song, “Shine,” which braids together a folksy feel featuring fingerstyle acoustic guitar and fiddle. It speaks to the discovery of the light that lives within all of us, and that we have the choice to embrace or hide from it. This fast-tempo jig constructs a powerful atmosphere of wonder with layered backing vocals and reverberating drums that feels grounded, but worth dancing to.
The band will be releasing a new single at the end of November called “The Reason.” “It’ll be much darker and moodier than ‘Nobody Loves You Like I Do,’ says Hungerford. They’ll also be releasing an album midway through next year, as well as playing the Santa Clarita Cowboy festival.
Tar & Flowers’ poetic stories and engaging musical compositions grow more refined with each release, and showcase a genuine desire to connect with listeners. The group is currently based in the San Fernando Valley and plays shows around the LA area.
