Meet Morgan Taylor, the Creator of Gustafer Yellowgold. Family Fun Twin Cities was given the honor of previewing Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wisdom Tooth of Wisdom and letting you know what we thought. Let me first just say when he says that it’s a combination of Dr. Seuss and the Yellow Submarine, Morgan Taylor hits it right on the head. That’s exactly what it is.
Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wisdom Tooth of Wisdom
We received the full package, the DVD and the CD. Honestly, I put the DVD in for my children and walked away (I try to use TV as time for Mom to get stuff done). When it finished and my kids pounded their way up the stairs from the basement, I asked them what they thought. I got a mixed review.
- One loved it–the 4th grader–she loved the art and the story and the graphic novel feel it had.
- One was bored–my kindergartener. He couldn’t follow the story, and there wasn’t a lot of exciting action. It’s much more introspective.
However, the CD was a hit with everyone! We’ve been blasting it in the van and no one seems to be getting tired of it. We decided it was worth getting to know the heart behind Gustafer–Morgan Taylor.
Interview with Morgan Taylor
Tell us about Morgan. Where are you from? Where do you currently live? What do you like to do? Introduce your family (if you want to–no worries if you don’t). How do you spend your time?
I’m a cartoonist/musician from Dayton, OH. I moved to New York City and began my Gustafer Yellowgold project in late 2004. I now live in upstate NY in the Catskills with my wife and two young sons. I went full-time with Gustafer in 2008 and have enjoyed many years of creativity doing this combination of my two artistic passions: music and cartooning.
Tell us about Gustafer Yellowgold. Where is he from? Where does he currently life? What does he like to do? Introduce his family. How does he spend his time?
The character Gustafer came from the Sun and now resides in the woodlands of Minnesota. He’s living out the life of an explorer, making friends and creating his own rituals, like his new favorite form of relaxation: smashing desserts.
What wisdom will families come away with from Wisdom Tooth of Wisdom?
The funny thing is that the new DVD Gustafer Yellowgold’s Wisdom Tooth of Wisdom is NOT about teeth! It’s about thinking. Several “states of mind” are explored through Gustafer’s journey to return a magical molar to its rightful owner. Curiosity, imagination, secrecy, guilt, euphoria, narcissism and many others each have a place in the musical narrative. Heady stuff, but all wrapped in a fun and humorous musical adventure.
How do you develop Gustafer Yellowgold and how did the live shows come about?
It all was a big happy accident, really. Ten years ago, I was at a crossroads deciding whether or not to start another band, or take a turn into some more unexplored territory for myself. My wife encouraged me to bring my cartooning into the mix, and the original kernel of the Gustafer Yellowgold world was planted.
What do you love most about Gustafer Yellowgold?
That I have the freedom to express myself artistically in a way that is completely natural for me. I was always the class clown, getting in trouble for it. Now I get to bring it all onto the stage. It’s so much fun. I have way more ideas than time, so I Iove it when I can bring more of it out into the world.
What do you love most about your shows?
That there is an audience for the exact thing I can offer the world. I love seeing the music and characters enjoyed by the entire family, together. Sometimes folks say they think they enjoy it even more than their children do! The shows are a bunch of fun and crazy ideas brought together through fun, alternative pop music.
RT @FamilyFunTC: Meet Morgan Taylor–the Creator of Gustafer Yellowgold: @Gustafer http://t.co/S8hjBNSBVO