Go With Elmo Episode 69 Recap: The Pocket Queen — Drumming, Branding, and Building an Authentic Career

Everything You Need to Know

This week on Go With Elmo, host Elmo Lovano takes us backstage at the Montreux Jazz Fest Miami for an inspiring, candid, and deeply human conversation with one of the most exciting drummers of our time: Taylor Gordon, better known by her formidable moniker, The Pocket Queen. Together, they riff on everything from viral moments and mental health to brand-building, vulnerability, and what it really means to “go with the flow” as a modern musician.

Subscribe On:

Who Is The Pocket Queen?

Taylor Gordon, aka The Pocket Queen, is a drummer, producer, and artist whose groove, musicality, and unapologetic personality have landed her on world stages—including currently drumming with Willow Smith and supporting Coldplay. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Taylor’s journey is as notable for her authenticity and innovative career moves as for her chops and musical accomplishments. What sets Taylor apart is her ability to blend high-level musicianship with a relatable online presence, earning her hundreds of thousands of followers while paving a new path as a creative entrepreneur.

From Berklee Beginnings to The Pocket Queen

Taylor traces the genesis of her brand to her college days at Berklee, where, surrounded by prodigiously talented “drum choppers,” she began advocating for the virtue of “the pocket”—that irresistible, locked-in groove at the heart of so much great music. “The Pocket Queen” was a nickname given to her by her engineer best friend, Jacqueline Sanchez, based on her endless rants about keeping it in the pocket—before it was ever about her playing, it was about her philosophy.

Taylor’s approach to the drums has always prioritized feel over flash, a perspective that would eventually define her artistic brand and set her apart in the competitive scene of modern drummers.

The Power (and Pitfalls) of Social Media

What makes Taylor’s story especially compelling is her relationship with social media. Early on, she noticed the benefits of building her presence online: “I just started making videos and it got popular at that point around campus,” she recalls. An introvert by nature, Taylor appreciated that “I can get my name out here and I don’t have to go to parties and be very nervous.” Her earliest videos—low-fi, iPhone-recorded drum covers in a tiny lockout studio—showed not just her precision and pocket, but an infectious joy and willingness to stare right into the camera, breaking the fourth wall and starting a conversation with the audience.

Her breakthrough came with a drum cover of The Time’s “777-9311.” Taylor posted it, “and overnight it went viral,” igniting a surge in followers and recognition from major names in the industry. The journey from 3,000 to over 100,000 followers was swift and organic—powered by regular weekly posts and authentic engagement with her community. Taylor let her fans vote on what song to cover next, making them partners in her creative process.

But she also discusses the shadow side of this rise. Her social media accounts were eventually hacked, throwing her into a crisis of identity and self-worth. “How did I get so lost in this that I forgot I am something without it?” Taylor asks. This experience became a major turning point, teaching her to detach her self-value from numbers and to intentionally step back to protect her mental health.

Balancing Virality, Authenticity, and the Changing Game

Taylor is frank about the ever-evolving nature of the online landscape. The era of easy reposts and viral drum covers has shifted, with new copyright policies and algorithms demanding constant innovation. She pivoted by launching her own “loop of the week” challenges, leveraging her skills as a producer and songwriter to keep her content fresh, musical, and engaging.

Yet she’s keenly aware of the limitations and illusions of the numbers game: “The people who are doing what I want to do, they have 10,000 followers. They have money—they have a million dollars, not a million followers,” she notes, highlighting the distinction between public clout and real-world sustainability. The lesson? Value your superfans and focus on meaningful engagement.

Mental Health, Boundaries, and Trusting the Process

A central throughline of the conversation is Taylor’s commitment to mental and physical well-being: therapy, exercise, solitude, and genuine connection are all part of her regime. She talks openly about needing time with family and moments away from the spotlight, and how her faith grounds her sense of identity and purpose.

This philosophy also extends into her approach to career and creativity. Having been burned by a difficult publishing deal and the pressure of orchestrating the “perfect” release strategy, Taylor now prioritizes surrendering control, trusting in timing, and allowing her art to evolve organically.

Touring With Willow, Artistic Growth, and What’s Next

As of this episode, Taylor is playing for Willow Smith on a clickless, deeply connected live show that allows for total musical freedom: “We’re just locked in and depending on one another.” She describes the experience as both solidifying and freeing, citing mutual trust as the magic ingredient in the band’s chemistry. Her passion for learning new genres, experimenting with odd meters, and always seeking her own voice keeps her continually inspired to play and grow.

Looking ahead, Taylor is preparing to launch her own live show, performing her artist project with a band called The Royal Flush. In true Pocket Queen fashion, she wants to “gamify” the process—seeking the perfect lineup, keeping an open mind, and blending drumming and singing in her own unique way.

Vulnerability and the Artist’s Leap

One of the most poignant sections of the episode is Taylor’s reflection on taking creative risks—especially stepping out as a frontwoman. “No one asked for this. Like, what am I doing?” she confesses about releasing her own music as a singer and producer. But she recognizes that artists often give the world something it didn’t know it needed, drawing inspiration from other multi-talented musicians like Anderson .Paak.

Key Takeaways

Authenticity Wins: Taylor’s low-fi, honest content propelled her forward more than perfection or production value.
Vulnerability is Strength: From posting her first video to launching her solo music, Taylor proves the artist’s journey is about courage and risk.
Mental Health Matters: Success is unsustainable without boundaries, breaks, and support—whether that’s therapy, faith, or family.
Social Media is a Tool, Not the Goal: Numbers are fleeting; true value lies in engagement, community, and sustainable artistry.
Trust the Timing: Letting go of rigid timelines and trusting the process leads to outcomes that often surpass meticulous planning.

Final Thoughts

In this refreshingly open episode, Go With Elmo dives deep into what it takes to build a lasting, meaningful career as a modern musician. The Pocket Queen is much more than a viral phenomenon—she’s a testament to the power of groove, grit, vulnerability, and always keeping it in the pocket, in music and in life.

Follow Taylor Gordon on her journey (@thepocketqueen), and remember: sometimes the best things happen when you stop forcing, and just go with Elmo.

For more episodes and updates, subscribe to Go With Elmo wherever you get your podcasts!

Email Newsletter

Music Industry Newsletter

Get access to the Go With Elmo Lovano newsletter to get updates on the latest episodes,
and insights from music industry experts, pros, and legends on their journeys to making it in music.