Chris Taylor, also known as the Cavalier King, is an earnest troubadour wandering a sci-folk landscape. Through his dreams, his art, and his song writing, Taylor has fashioned an alter ego, painted a world for him to inhabit, and led his hero to a pretty respectable underground following.

Can you please give our readers a brief description of the Cavalier King?

The Cavalier King is just sort of a quixotic superhero I conjured in the middle of one particular song about having delusions of grandeur. The song depicts a broken school boy, paranoid and despondent, who finds solace in a Ritalin induced fantasy where he is a mighty king capable of carrying out heroic feats like protecting his warrior goddess and laying to ruin every foe in his path. I know it sounds a little D & D (though I never played), but the point is that he is every boy’s dream. In reality, the Cavalier King is really just an earnest dreamer, quite incapable of inflicting said destruction.

How did the idea of the Cavalier King turn into this concept album?

Well it just seemed natural since I had written the bulk of the songs from that sci-fi romance, albeit delusional point of view. It began with the song "Cavalier King" and then elaborated into a much larger story/mythology. Not all my songs need to be considered from that vantage, however.

I know you’re something of a literary fellow. "The Unprotected" recalls for me Thoreau’s belief that "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." Would you say that the Cavalier King agrees, or is his whole purpose on this earth to jolt people out of their slumber?

"The Unprotected" aims to simultaneously break through my own inhibitions and commiserate with those who feel inhibited. I don’t think the Cavalier King presumes to have the wisdom or psychological dexterity to "jolt people out of their slumber" or compel them to face the futility of their delusions. I’m just expressing my desire to take a risk and relinquish my emotional defenses. Maybe I’m requesting it just to combat the loneliness, you know?

Do you think "The War Is On" or any of your other tracks reflect some of our country’s current turmoil? How do you feel about mixing your politics and your art?

I would be pleased if my fantastical universe succeeded at reflecting aspects of the numerous obstacles facing our country’s evolution. "The War Is On" is really my response to feeling disconnected from a seemingly distant war.

Were you employing the creative assistance of champagne and/or cocaine when you wrote "Champagne and Cocaine"? The song does seem to take off like a rocket at the half way point, so . . .

Your question seems to come from experience…

In your opinion, what are the best records of the past 12 months?

I’m actually a bit out of touch with recent releases, but I occasionally hear good songs from bands online, MySpace, Haystack, etc…. Let me just say that great songs are few and far between…as always.

You rely on a rotating group of friends as a backup band for your live shows. Do you think a full time band might compromise your vision as a solo artist? Would you consider a collaborative project with other musicians?

I love to collaborate with other artists. I’ve tried it out with several friends whom I really revere but the timing has always been wrong. We all have too many projects.

The Cavalier King is represented in both your visual art and through music. Have you considered writing the concept for live action performance, in film or as a play?

Yes…I’m developing the story for a comic book and/or film. Stay tuned, it’s going to be very cool. (Check out www.cavalierkingrules.com for more info.)

What words would the Cavalier King have for his faithful followers?

Revolution is messy.