Honesty is the best policy for Taylor Acorn.

Whether she’s sharing her mental health struggles, revisiting past heartbreaks, or navigating the uncertainty that comes with getting older, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter has built a devoted following by sharing the parts of life many people would rather hide. 

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That openness has helped transform Acorn from an independent artist with a growing online audience into one of pop-rock’s rising voices.

Phoenix fans can experience that connection when she performs at The Van Buren as part of State Champs’ tour at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.

“I’m just like anybody else,” Acorn said. “I have my own demons that I struggle with, and sometimes writing them down and sharing them with people can reopen wounds.”

Acorn’s tour complements the momentum of “Poster Child: Deluxe,” an expanded version of her 2025 album that adds songs that she wasn’t ready to leave in the proverbial vault. 

Among them are “Growing Pains,” “Isn’t It Strange” featuring Knox, and “Batteries,” an acoustic track about the overwhelming nature of everyday life. 

“We had kind of already chosen which songs were going to be on the album,” she explained. “Those songs were kind of on the tail end, and I was really bummed because I was hoping that they would make the cut. I’m really excited that I can bring those songs back to kind of round off this album cycle.”

Emotional transparency has become a hallmark of Acorn’s songwriting, reflecting her desire to help listeners feel less alone.

“If I can share what I’m going through with someone else who may feel alone in their feelings, that’s all that matters to me,” he said. “As hurtful as it can be for me to keep reopening old wounds or diving back into past situations, I’m happy to help whoever finds the songs.”

At her Van Buren show, fans can also expect to hear new songs. Acorn said she’s writing another record and experimenting with sounds and influences beyond her successful pop-rock lane. After beginning her musical journey in country, she’s since embraced pop-punk and alternative rock and is exploring where her songwriting might lead next.

“I feel like I’m in the space right now where I’m being more experimental with sounds and genres,” she said. “I’m inspired by so many different styles of music.”

Those influences stretch from ’90s music and early-2000s pop-punk to country storytelling. One of the acts—Lonestar—was especially meaningful. She saw the band at the Washington State Fair as a child, years after the band’s song “I’m Already There” was played during her father’s memorial service. The moment reinforced the emotional power music can have in people’s lives, something she still strives to create for her own audience.

While the songs may be deeply personal, Acorn’s concerts are anything but introspective. 

“Lots of energy,” she said. “We always have so much fun onstage. It’s been a minute since we’ve played, and I think my band and I are just itching to get back out there.”

For Acorn, however, she looks forward to connecting with fans who see their stories in her. As her audience continues to grow, she said that bond remains the reason she keeps writing.

“Even if I wasn’t an artist and I wasn’t touring or anything like that, I would still do it every day because it just makes me happy,” Acorn said. “Music has always been that one sacred place that felt like mine.”