Conversations with Tyler Edwards

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Edwards.

Hi Tyler, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I got started playing music in high school after quitting baseball. I started wanting to play guitar, but I had to learn bass to play in the church band. Eventually, I got promoted to playing some guitar but I really cut my teeth playing for the church’s youth group and local gatherings. I built a band that would travel and that is where I got the bug for touring and playing shows. Eventually, I started writing songs, but they didn’t really fit the church.

So, I made another band and that’s when things really started to click for what I wanted to do. I booked us on a bunch of tours up and down the East Coast through college and a few years after. We made a few recordings and I really learned a lot from playing with those guys. It really becomes your family in many ways. I have very fond memories of those years and friends. Eventually, the band started to fizzle but I wanted to keep writing and playing music, so I started focusing on writing songs I could easily perform on my acoustic guitar.

After I got a few songs together, I recorded them and moved to Seattle, WA where I lived for the past 7 years. Seattle was really instrumental in helping me find and preserve my voice as a performer and songwriter. I learned what worked and felt genuine for me and what connected with the people listening and following me. I made some records with friends while I was out there. I started working on my sophomore full-length right before Covid-19, which changed everything and challenged most things and people.

But I ended up having to learn to record and produce myself because of lock-down, which ended up opening a new depth in my relationship to my writing, recording and performing. I’m happy to say we finished that record, and I learned so much through that process.

Recently, I got married and we moved to TN. My wife is studying to become a nurse, and she was kind enough to pick a school where I can still play music and meet other people in the music industry. And I have a new record coming out in September that I’m really excited to share.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all, being broke and having to practically beg people to donate money to help you record… shoutout to all the Kickstarter projects and pledgers of the world. Bands break up, members change, and feelings get hurt. Critics make you second guess yourself and your work… moving across the country…playing to empty rooms, packed rooms, empty rooms… I have played a whole show to just my mom!

I’m sorry that these aren’t necessarily complete sentences, but each one could read like a headline for a different chapter. The truth is that this “road” is a roller coaster of emotions and connections. I’m in my thirties, and some elements of society and expectations would suggest that I missed my shot, my prime. But I love what I do. I’m thankful for the struggles and letdowns.

They gave and continue to give me a new level of love and appreciation for songs, people, and other artists.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
You can reach out to me via email at tyleredwardsmusic@gmail.com. You can support me by coming to shows, listening to my records, and following my social media pages. You can find most links at tyleredwardsmusic.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tyleredwardsmusic@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyleredwardsmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyleredwardsmusicpage
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/mister_mont
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/tyleredwardsmusic

Image Credits
Julia Joy Beck and Brandon Feely