Taft Buckley is a singer-songwriter from Redondo Beach, California. His work centers on strong melodies, thoughtful songwriting, and performances built around feel. Buckley works between Nashville and Southern California, recording primarily to analog tape with longtime friends and collaborators and often capturing performances live in the room. His music reflects a deep respect for the traditions of American songwriting, keeping his process centered on feel, chemistry, and live performance.

​       Music runs deep in Buckley’s family. His great-grandfather, Matty Malneck, was a jazz violinist, composer, and arranger who played an important role in American popular music during the early years of the recording industry. As a songwriter, Malneck co-wrote enduring standards such as “Goody Goody” and “I’ll Never Be the Same,” songs that were widely recorded and became part of the American songbook.

      As an arranger and musical director, he worked closely with artists including Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, helping shape the sound of early popular vocal recordings. The emphasis on strong melody and timeless songcraft from that era continues to influence Buckley’s approach to writing and recording today.