Taylor Barton Releases a New EP and a New Novel

Singer-songwriter Taylor Barton has released a new EP titled “Get Off My Ship,” and on Friday, May 31, she performs at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett in a show headlined by her husband, legendary guitarist G.E. Smith, and his band. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Produced by acclaimed singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Joseph Arthur, the five-track EP wraps weighty lyrical messages in timeless melodies, cultured arrangements and layered textures woven around plaintive acoustic guitar. Featuring G.E. Smith on guitar and drummer Josh Dion, Barton describes “Get Off My Ship” as an atmospheric meditation on challenging subjects, channeling sensations of sorrow, outrage and isolation stirred by political and societal events.

Influenced by the quiet strength of Tracy Chapman, Joan Armatrading and Joni Mitchell, as well as contemporary songsmiths like Chris Stapleton, St. Vincent and Sarah Jarosz, in her songs, Barton displays a gift for making serious topics listenable and shaping political comment into deeply emotive art.

But Barton, who has released 11 full-length albums, is not only a musician — she is also a writer. Released in tandem with the new EP is Barton’s new novel, “Condom Eddie,” which came out May 24. The book is a psychological thriller told from the standpoint of a woman who discovers that she has a biological twin brother who is a convicted sex offender. Started by Taylor in 2006, she rediscovered the unfinished manuscript during the pandemic and resumed writing and research.

“It’s fiction, but a composite of many stories, so very close to me, some very far,” said Barton.

The novel ties in with the EP’s opening song and second single, “Sleep in My Bed,” which is a ballad about a toxic relationship told from the perspective of the victim of a sexual predator.

“It’s got a huge message about the #MeToo revolution, and my new novel also takes that on,” Barton explained. “I wrote it as a theme song for the book, because it felt like the book could be a movie and it needed an anthem.”

Both “Get Off My Ship” and “Condom Eddie” will be available on Spotify, Apple, Kindle, Amazon and all other digital retail outlets beginning May 31.

Tickets to the Stephen Talkhouse show are $60 to $80 at stephentalkhouse.com or call 631-267-3117 to purchase.