Taylor, a folk-pop-rock artist who began singing for bands before launching a solo career will perform with Andy Lemaster, a producer who will play bass and sing backup, and Michael Shackelford, a drummer and backup singer.,”Saturday night on East Wells Street will be one of firsts. Turner Hall Ballroom, a recently restored event hall, will host Josh Rouse, its first show since renovation. Opening act Maria Taylor will be touring for the first time with a bare bones ensemble.

Taylor, a folk-pop-rock artist who began singing for bands before launching a solo career, will perform with Andy Lemaster, a producer who will play bass and sing backup, and Michael Shackelford, a drummer and backup singer.

"I've never toured with just bass-drums-guitar," Taylor said. "It's my first time with a three piece band."

This tour assembly is indicative of Taylor's new attitude of simplification. When comparing recent album Lynn Teeter Flower (released March 2007) to 11.11, her first solo album (released May 2005), listeners may notice a break down in production.

"Lynn Teeter Flower is a little more stripped down, production-wise," Taylor said. "There are not as many strings, or backing tracks, or vocal overdubs. The sound is minimalistic."

Taylor said this simplification is due to fan demand.

"Before 11.11 I never toured as a solo act," she said. "I realized how we did songs differently live. We'd get responses like 'Wow I like the live version as much as recorded.' So we tried to make Lynn Teeter Flower sound live."

Regardless of production size, Taylor said she uses music as a spiritual outlet. This is evident on some tracks on Lynn Teeter Flower, such as "A Good Start," which has a meditative quality to it.

"('A Good Start') is a mantra type song, about how we're all one with everything, for better or worse," Taylor said.

The song is an outgrowth of Taylor's music philosophy.

"I find spirituality through my music," Taylor said. "I try not to make it an outlet for me to be negative. I deal with things through music, find the positive side of what I go through and watch other people go through."

Taylor is certainly a product of her surroundings. When she moved to Omaha, Neb. the Birmingham, Ala. native found the Saddle Creek record label, which deals with other Omaha locals like Bright Eyes and The Faint. Other acts like 311 also hail from the area. So what is it about Omaha?

"People have really good work ethics," said Taylor. "People support each other. They understand how much work it takes, and work their a&*%$ off. It's inspiring."

Taylor said a snowball effect takes place in a community after one act achieves success.

"When one band starts to do well in a city, other bands feed off of it," Taylor said. "It's encouraging to see that other people can do it; it builds your confidence."

Taylor has opened for Jimmy Eat World at the Pabst Theater and is happy to return to Milwaukee.

"There was lots of positive energy everywhere in Milwaukee," Taylor said. "The people were sweet. Everyone was so quiet and respectful, but they would laugh if we attempted to be funny. I had a great time."

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