After taking a break from things for a few years, muti-platinum recording artist Taylor Dayne is marking her 20th year in the music industry in a big way. In early 2008 she released Satisfied, her first studio album in 10 years.

But don’t call Satisfied a comeback because Dayne has never really been away.

While, one of her chief roles the last five years has been as single mother to her twin boy and girl, Dayne refuses to settle in her career. She is currently working on new forms promotion in the television market and a greatest hits album.

She took time out of her busy schedule to talk to the Gay & Lesbian Times about life satisfactions and also why she truly never will be satisfied.

Dayne will be performing in San Diego at the Turnabout benefit for the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation at Bacchus House on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Gay & Lesbian Times: Tell readers what you’ve been doing since your fans last heard from you.

Taylor Dayne: I put out a record in February of this year called “Satisfied” and I’ve been working really hard to promote that. So it’s been a very busy year.

GLT: Why the name choice for the album title?

TD: Generally speaking whenever I put a record out it’s the title of some track on the record that culminates the direction and emotional state of the record. At this stage it’s been a long time since I’ve put out a record, or at least in the sense of a full studio release, so at this time it’s very satisfying to be putting a record out. So the name was very appropriate.

GLT: The album’s theme has a strong theme surrounding love, why is that?

TD: Exactly, don’t they all?

GLT: But are you truly satisfied at this point in your life?

TD: Never! (laughing) It’s my own personal plight to never settle. I don’t however mean that in a negative way. It’s the personality of me and I’m sure of many people, but there are no laurels to sit on. There are many things that have gone on in my lifetime and in my career and I’ve made some hard decisions, but in the end of the day you can’t go back as much you’d like to. So I think that moving forward and making new goals for yourself is important. I’m not always sure how satisfying that is, but it is ambitious. And I never quite want to go back. The older I get I realize the joy of having such opportunities. There’s a great joy of being still, obviously, if you can maintain it and understand it and embrace it. But working and generating interesting work and being inspired by what you do is what I have done.

GLT: What are some of the choices in life you’ve felt are difficult?

TD: Well ever since the beginning of my career nothing has ever fallen in my lap. I’ve had to create everything. It’s happened with the help of certain people obviously, but it’s never been, ‘Oh, she’s so beautiful, let her model,’ or ‘Oh, she’s the greatest singer so let’s put her record out.’ Nothing has ever come in gifted glove, although I will say my children are one of the easiest things I did once I put my head to it. But once you put your head to it I believe anyone could accomplish anything. It’s just a matter of how many hurdles you want to go through. In this industry, the music industry, it’s just one hurdle after the next. I mean these days it may seem a little easier because we see the kids going on “Idol” but still they have to put themselves on the chopping block. This is just the nature of the game. I’ve always had to work hard for it and it is just my destiny.

GLT: Have such struggles made you appreciate what you have more?

TD: There’s a catch to everything. Probably when you do work for something you do appreciate it more. But when you’re in the middle of it I don’t think a person can fully appreciate it until they can step back and be still with it all. That’s when one can fully appreciate it and be satisfied.

GLT: You mentioned your children, how has motherhood changed your life?

TD: Well it was a complete choice of mine. It wasn’t that motherhood came from some negative scenario in my life. Still it’s definitely out of my control and a miracle. I went for one and got two. Twins. Who would have thunk. It is the millennium way of having children.

GLT: What made you decide to have children when you did?

I didn’t want to miss the opportunity and I’m certainly not a spring chicken at this point. I’m at a place in my life where I thought what’s left to experience except being bigger than myself. They are just beautiful little souls a we have a wonderful time together. Sometimes its hard to take it all in because you’re living your day to day life. But then you have moments where you step back and realize, wow I’m doing a good job! And I’m not little miss sit at home homemaker and I’ve had to come to terms with all of that, but at the end of the day they are great kids. And they are changing so quickly.

GLT: So this year marks a special year you and your career?

TD: (laughing) Two decades in the business. Yep, 20 years ago I released my first record. It’s a milestone year!

GLT: What has changed from the Taylor Dayne that fans knew back in the 1980s and the Taylor Dayne you are today?

TD: Well then you’re talking about a 20-year-old girl who had that voice and the opportunities and the industry was far different. I mean I’m on my 17th Top 10 hit single, but then again to ask myself if it’s satisfying? Yes and no. I’ve made some good choices and some bad choices, but then again my career is my career. My voice is my voice and I look to different opportunities now and the industry is completely different.

GLT: How do you see the industry differently?

We never had the opportunities for marketing promotions and product placement that we have today. It just didn’t exist. Today a new artist will come out and be attached to many products, and a plethora of beauty supplies and what have you.

I think Cher said it best, because you know that Cher was one the first to get involved in hair and beauty and she got ostracized, if people remember that. Still people who did that back then got $5 million for doing it because they realized they weren’t going to make any money afterwards selling records. It just ain’t happening.

GLT: Is there any product you are looking at?

TD: Creatively, yes because now I have to represent a different type of woman, but you need launching pads because they’re looking to do it with people like Kim Kardashian. So you just have to be wise about it and keep your marketing eye out there. Hence the release of this new record and the fact that we are utilizing as many promotional marketing tools as we can.

GLT: What kind of marketing venues can your fans expect to you utilizing in the near future?

TD: To me the vehicle of television is the only format of promotion at this point. So I’m looking for television opportunities. I’m attaching myself to “Gone Country” and that will start up filming in November. And then of course there’s “Dancing With the Stars,” which I love and have thought about. But damn do they get a work out. Maybe a Taylor Dayne theme night where I do the singing would be good for that. There are of course many other opportunities, but for me it’s more about executive production for my own television series and my own competition show. Not based on me, but hosting it would be great. I’m looking in that realm. Also iTunes is a great way to get your music out there these days.

GLT: Aren’t you currently working on a greatest hits album?

You betcha! It’s going to be amazing. I’m in the studio working on that while I’m doing all these other things. There will be two new tracks on it which can be heard on iTunes.

GLT: Are you looking forward to your trip to San Diego?

TD: Yes. I love coming down there and playing. I know that it is going to be a small venue and that will really allow me to connect with the fans. Plus it is for a good cause. What more could I ask for.