Adam Taylor, a singer-songwriter who has played to crowds young and old, said he's anxious to bring his folk-pop sound to an audience his own age.
As part of the Student Programming Association's (SPA) weekly Noontime Concert Series, singer-songwriter Taylor -- along with vocalist Kate Young -- will perform Friday in the HUB-Robeson Center's first floor lounge.
Taylor said his musical beginnings were not as graceful as his current success.
"Basically, I was in fourth grade and I was fat and bad at sports and my parents told me that I need a hobby," Taylor said. "I picked up the drums and I fell in love with it -- my parents didn't have to make me practice."
Now 19, Taylor just released his debut EP "Play the Piano Drunk," which was produced by his brother Chad Taylor.
Zachary Krieger, chairman of the Noontime Concert Series, said Taylor -- who has performed for various music festivals and has opened for artists such as Dispatch and T-Pain -- is an impressive performer to bring to Penn State.
Taylor said his self-described "folk-pop" sound is newer to the music scene and stems from of a wide variety of influences, including bluegrass and rock music.
"It's catchy. It's really melodic," Taylor said. "It's like Bob Dylan with musical hooks -- poppy, catchy hooks."
Taylor said Young's soulful, sultry voice adds a lot to the performance. The two began playing together when Taylor developed a little bit of a crush on his partner.
"I kind of just asked her to come play with me. I was too scared to ask her out," Taylor said. "But we're so much better just singing. She's been singing with me strictly platonically for five years."
Taylor said he enjoys playing so close to his hometown -- Lancaster, Pa., -- because the lack of travel time gives him more lounge time at home. While playing for audiences his age makes him a bit nervous, performing at college-aged venues is something he enjoys.
Taylor last played Penn State in April 2009. For those students whose early classes may require a mid-day nap in the HUB, Taylor apologizes.
"Hi, my name is Adam Taylor and I'm sorry to wake you up," he joked.
Krieger said last year's crowd was small due to the pressures of upcoming finals and the realities of a Wednesday show. He said he expects today's show to compare to recent performances by band Erickson and singer-songwriter Joanna Burns, which each drew about 175 people.
