Interview with Amber Taylor

Amber Taylor is not just a musician, she is a force of nature. With a guitar in hand and poetry in her heart, she has carved out a space for herself in the world of alternative rock as the lead singer, guitarist, and creative engine behind The Sexual Side Effects, an Atlanta-based band known for its haunting psychedelia and bold, emotionally charged performances. A gifted songwriter, Amber’s music carries listeners through the lush terrain of heartbreak, yearning, and self-discovery, often layered with her signature blend of melancholy and majesty. Amber is also a proud transgender woman whose journey of authenticity has deeply influenced her art and presence on stage. Her transition didn’t just change her life, it redefined her music. She once quipped that she is the sexual side effect in her band’s name, a witty nod to her gender identity and a testament to her fierce ownership of self.

 

Underneath the bravado and post-punk edge lies a romantic soul, an “erotographomaniac” obsessed with love letters and lyrical beauty, whose songs dive into the darker, more complex waters of love’s many shades. From her deeply introspective writing sessions in Atlanta to the electric energy of her live shows, Amber creates art that resonates with honesty, vulnerability, and power. She dreams of touring Europe and continuing to touch hearts with her music, a mission she sees not just as artistic, but transformative. Through her visibility and voice, Amber also advocates for transgender understanding, not with slogans, but with sincerity, storytelling, and the timeless language of song. As you read this interview, prepare to meet a woman who is equal parts rebel and romantic, a warrior of words and sound, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes the truest revolution is simply to be yourself, loudly, lovingly, and without apology.

 

Monika: Today, it’s my pleasure, and genuine honor, to sit down with Amber Taylor, the magnetic frontwoman and business manager of the Atlanta-based band The Sexual Side Effects. Amber is not only a powerhouse on stage but also a trailblazer in our community. Amber, welcome!

Amber: Howdy! And let me just say, what a thrill it is to be here with you. I’m absolutely delighted to meet a trans activist like you, someone who’s not only making waves but doing it with so much grace and power.

 

It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll.

 

Monika: Your band’s name, The Sexual Side Effects, really stands out, and it carries a sense of defiance and intrigue. I once read that when asked about the name, you replied, “I am the sexual side effect.” That’s a powerful statement. Can you tell me more about what you meant by that, and how the name came to represent both you and your music?

Amber: Sex, in the context of gender, is what I meant. I put a twist in the gender department. The band, which I’ve been the primary writer for and the sole consistent member over the years, has gone through many players and different names as time has gone by.

It started as The Amber Taylor Band, then became Amber Taylor and the Trashy Trio, and eventually evolved into Amber Taylor and the Sexual Side Effects. Over the last couple of years, it became simply The Sexual Side Effects. The name reflects both my personal journey and the bold, unapologetic energy we bring to our music. It’s provocative, sure, but it also invites people to question the boxes we’re put in, and that’s exactly what I want.

Monika: Your 2012 debut EP High Maintenance introduced audiences to a rich and atmospheric sound, and I came across this vivid description of your music on Wikipedia: “SSE has a very solid, psychedelic sound – the kind you might hear when falling down a rabbit hole.” That image stuck with me. But how do you define the sound and spirit behind your music and lyrics?

Amber: I’ve recently been writing a lot of new songs, working on bettering my craft and growing as a lyricist. I’ve always found lyrics to be the hardest part of my creative process, and it's the one area where I’ve had to focus a lot of energy to improve. 

Lately, I’ve been trying to move away from the standard, feel-good love song and dive deeper into the full emotional spectrum, despair, resentment, heartbreak, jealousy, even a touch of evil. My personal life has seen its share of romantic turmoil in the past few years, and that’s definitely shaped the themes I’ve been exploring. Writing became a way to process that pain and turn it into something raw and beautiful.

Monika: That’s a great shift, from romantic highs to love’s darker shadows. Was there a particular moment or influence that sparked this deeper lyrical transformation?

Amber: Yes! During this emotional period, I discovered Nick Cave’s lecture called The Secret Life of the Love Song, and it completely changed the way I look at songwriting. It opened up new doors in both my writing and my overall perspective on what a love song can be.

I also stumbled upon this great term: “Erotographomaniac”, someone obsessed with writing love letters and love poetry. That’s so me. Thanks to Nick, I realized I’ve probably been one all along. His words gave me permission to lean into the haunting, messy, and obsessive elements of love that we usually try to hide.

 

Amber Taylor: A Sexual Side Effect (Vimeo)

 

Monika: And when it comes to the music itself, your arrangements, your sound palette, how do you translate all that emotion and complexity into your compositions?

Amber: Musically, I’m drawn to haunting and majestic textures. If something sounds too basic or predictable, I like to tweak it, add a twist, layer in unexpected notes, and make it more expressive. As a guitarist, I use a lot of jazz-influenced chords, Major 7s, Minor 9s, and open string ringing to bring out more color and nuance.

I also enjoy playing with modes and weaving Eastern scales, like the Harmonic Minor or Phrygian dominant, into more familiar pop structures. That blend gives the music an edge that feels mysterious but still accessible. My influences span a wide spectrum, Post-Punk, Goth, Shoegaze, Psychedelia, Folk, Ambient, Brit Pop, and even Balkan and Turkish tones. It all kind of collides in what I do. Live shows especially let that space rock, psychedelic energy come alive in full force.
Monika: You’ve toured across the eastern and southwestern United States, bringing your unique sound to a range of audiences. Given the international appeal of your music, have you considered taking The Sexual Side Effects on tour across Europe?

Amber: At some point, yes. Right now, I’m an independent artist with my own label and very limited resources. We’ve done some marketing in the UK, which seems to have spread into the rest of Europe a bit. One of my dreams is to tour Europe, so it’s very high on our list of priorities! There’s something incredibly exciting about connecting with international fans in person, hearing how they interpret the music in their own cultural context. I think Europe, with its rich musical heritage and love of alternative sounds, would be an amazing fit for us.

Monika: What’s been keeping you creatively busy lately? Has The Sexual Side Effects been diving into any fresh sounds, studio sessions, or upcoming projects?

Amber: I’m the songwriter of the band, and in fact, it’s really my solo project parading under the guise of a silly band name. I’ve been hiding out in my hometown, Atlanta, writing new material for another record over the last couple of months. I’ve been experimenting with new lyrical themes and refining the overall sonic atmosphere I want to capture. It’s a period of exploration, and I’m excited about how the next chapter of my music is starting to take shape.

Monika: Back in 2011, you joined forces with fellow transgender artists like Mina Caputo, Angelica Ross, Our Lady J, Shawna Virago, and Sissy Debut to record a powerful cover of David Bowie’s Changes. The track was part of Transbeats, a documentary pilot by Michael A. Simon that followed six transgender musicians chasing their dreams in Los Angeles. What was it like to be part of that unique and empowering project?

Amber: It was totally out of the blue. One day I received an email from the director, Michael Simon, telling me he really liked my music and had discovered me through my website while researching for the pilot. I have since become friends with him and keep in touch from time to time. It was truly an honor to be part of something that highlighted trans talent in such a positive and creative light. That experience reminded me how visibility through music can foster connection and empowerment in ways I never imagined.

I am an “Erotographomaniac”, that is one who
has an obsession with writing love letters and love poetry.

Monika: How do you feel about the way transgender stories and characters have been portrayed in films, newspapers, and books so far? Do you think these representations are helping society understand trans experiences better?

Amber: It seems like things are becoming increasingly positive. More and more trans people are revealing their backgrounds in the public eye, which is great for helping people accept us. But it’s also a little strange, because one of the goals for many trans people is simply to fit into society in our new gender role. If you do fit in, then choosing to openly share that you’re different becomes all the more compelling. There’s a huge struggle in all of our lives just to be accepted as who we truly are. I believe this ongoing visibility is a crucial step toward normalizing trans experiences, even if it can feel vulnerable at times.

Monika: What do you think is still missing in mainstream understanding when it comes to transgender people and their stories?

Amber: Political correctness around trans issues is still very much needed, not just in choosing the right pronouns, but in truly understanding who we are. Our sexual preference does not define us as transgender people, yet many stereotypes still persist in the mainstream psyche. It’s not enough to use the right words; people need to grasp the real differences and complexities of our identities. The best way to achieve this is by continuing to win hearts and minds, when someone has a trans friend and sees an inaccurate portrayal somewhere, they’ll know the truth. That personal connection is a powerful step toward deeper understanding and acceptance. Every honest conversation helps chip away at ignorance and build empathy.

Monika: During the early stages of your transition, was there anyone, whether public figures or people in your personal life, who inspired or guided you on your journey? Did you have any role models who helped shape your perspective or gave you strength?

Amber: Wow. I’m not sure that I did. Perhaps the people who guided me through my transition played the supportive roles I needed most. My doctor, Dr. Richard Hudson, who wasn’t trans himself, played a big part for obvious reasons. 

One notable trans person who has always meant a lot to me is Jayne County, who is also a personal friend. Jayne is a punk musician hailing from the mid-70s NYC glam and punk scene (Max’s Kansas City, CBGB’s). She started as Wayne and became Jayne during her career, and publicly transitioned in the 1970s! By a weird twist of fate, she’s from my home state of Georgia, where I met her, and where she still lives. It’s truly a small world. Jayne’s boldness and authenticity helped me see how powerful living openly could be. Her story gave me confidence at a time when I really needed it.

It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll.

Monika: Looking back on your journey, what would you say was the most difficult part of coming out and embracing your true self? Was there a specific internal or external challenge that stood out during that time?

Amber: Accepting it within myself. After a lifetime of being conditioned to be male and do “male” things, or face terrible consequences, the first and last enemy was myself. Even outside of our community’s “gender condition,” all humans face that inner voice telling them, “You can’t do it,” along with all sorts of negative self-talk. It’s just part of being human.

I remember having nightmares years after my transition about being caught in drag in public, kind of like being caught naked in the school cafeteria in front of all the students. It took years for me to find peace with my new self and to break down the gender conditioning that society had imposed on me. There’s a deep unlearning process that has to take place, and it doesn't happen overnight. But each step toward self-acceptance felt like a small act of rebellion, and ultimately, of freedom.

Monika: How do you view the current social and political climate for transgender women in the United States? Do you think meaningful progress is being made, or are we still facing the same old barriers in new forms?

Amber: Our society is not perfect, but it seems to me there is some progress. Being transgender is somewhat of an interesting phenomenon when it comes to adapting to our new gender role and how the outside world perceives us. There are many of us who, most of the time, have no issues because we fit right into our new gender role in the eyes of the outside world, or “pass,” for lack of a better word. 

But of course, there are many people who are still in the transition period, and that presents big challenges. Our society can be unforgiving. There are also those who hold posts in all layers of our government who let their decisions be clouded by personal beliefs instead of scientifically proven facts, which poses a huge risk to our fair treatment. Visibility can be empowering, but it also makes us more vulnerable to scrutiny and political backlash. That’s why community support and allyship are more important than ever, no one should have to face this alone.

END OF PART 1

PART 2

 

All photos: courtesy of Amber Taylor.

© 2014 - Monika Kowalska

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