Artist Profile

Scott Goldbaum View profile

Follow Scott Goldbaum

First of all, let’s be honest. We haven’t heard many guitar intros like this one. The fingerpicking is absolutely stunning. The rhythm is steady but still brings a kind of softness and lightness. It creates a beautiful cradle for the lyrics to land on.

And that’s the second reason why this song completely won us over. The vocals. That high note at 1:23 seals the deal. It’s one of those moments that tells you not to skip this track. Not now. Not ever.

We really can call it a masterpiece, because as the artist explained, this song was born from a very personal confrontation with mortality. “Disguised as a love song”, he said. At just 35, Scott faced serious heart issues, and which forced him to rethink a lot of things.

So, who’s behind this beautiful piece of music? Scott Goldbaum is a multi-instrumentalist from L.A. who often works behind the scenes for big names like Sting, LAUV, David Kushner, Keith Urban, and Skylar Grey. No wonder the vocals are so sharp, the instrumentation so precise, and the production so clean. Artists who’ve spent years in the background know how much the smallest details matter.

For us, this song came at a time when health has been a little uncertain, and it felt very relatable. But more than that, it touched something deep. It gave us exactly what we came to IMC for. That shiver.

Scott Goldbaum’s take on “Taste and Tame”

Disguised as a love song, “Taste and Tame” reflects on my relationship to mortality after a severe heart arrhythmia diagnosis. “Taste and tame my heart so torn, it’s been beaten but it’s still beating for more” is a mantra that begets forward motion instead of leaving life behind.

IMC Listening Guide

Quick insights to help you connect with the song on your terms.

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Midday energy boost

Best place to listen

On the road, At home

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps