Four Inane Questions with singer Talya Groves

Photo by Justin Mortelliti

Songstress Talya Groves is oh-so dedicated to her craft. In fact, she missed a couple of deadlines on this article because several last-minute singing gigs suddenly popped up.

We don’t fault her though, as she’s clearly become the metro’s go-to chanteuse for nearly any occasion. If you don’t recognize her, that’s on you—although it’s understandable since she’s usually luxuriously draped near a piano.

Photo by The Pitch KC

Over the years, the groovy Groves has hit the stage in the Broadway casts in Mean Girls, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Motown: The Musical. These days she’s back in the city to dazzle audiences far and wide. “You can catch me at venues like Gael’s Public House, Stock Hill, The Hey Hey Club, Nighthawk, and The Phoenix—to name a few,” she says.

We caught up with the singer—who incidentally was voted The Pitch’s Best Vocalist in 2022 and 2023—between gigs to inundate her with our wonky questions. As expected, she added subtle jazz hands/spirit fingers after each answer. Bless. 

The Pitch: What was the first CD you ever bought? Does it still hold up?

Tayla Groves: The Spice Girls, and, yes, it absolutely still holds up. Those girls could sing and had such a great pop sound. Their style—musically and in fashion—definitely still has influence on me. 

What’s a pedestrian dish you want to be taken off every menu worldwide? 

I’m typically not in the game of wanting to yuck anyone else’s yum, so I wouldn’t relish the power of taking away a menu item that someone else might love. That said, anything with red onions would be the first to go. 

I can’t stand the smell of red onion on people’s breath, and then us both acting like we don’t smell it is a crazy thing to me. 

What’s the highest note you can hit comfortably? And what’s the highest note you can hit uncomfortably and/or tipsy?

Depends on which voice I’m in. If I’m full voice or a belt, the highest note I can hit comfortably is somewhere around the big note at the end of Mariah’s “Vision of Love.” If I’m in a lighter, fluttery head voice, then I can have a little more range and freedom up there. 

When I’m tipsy I think I can do anything, vocally or otherwise. But, the playground that’s most fun for me is my mid-to-lower register. So, I’m actually more likely to stick to that area of my voice after too much tequila.

Photo by Kenny Daniels

What position would you be most likely to play in soccer? 

I think I’d play goalie because I’m a very physical person and I don’t like to be limited in my options—so I’d want to play a position that is allowed to use more of their whole body. Plus, I feel like the goalie has main character energy. 

Bonus 5th Question: What bird has your favorite chirp/song/melody?

I love the sound of birds chirping, period. That’s because I associate the sound with beautiful weather and sunshine. I love nature and all the music that can be found in it. I’m definitely not a winter girlie.