But looking back, I can see how it was definitely a way for me to process what was going on in my life and in my head. I think most of the time, I was just trying to get away from everything that was going on around me. But in the process, I was also inadvertently working through a lot of those issues and emotions. It wasn’t until later that I realized how much those experiences had shaped me and my music.
It’s interesting how those early experiences can still have such a profound impact on us, even years later. Do you feel like those experiences have influenced the way you approach your music now?
Definitely. I think those early experiences have definitely shaped the way I write and the themes that I explore in my music. I’ve always been drawn to songs that are honest and vulnerable, that aren’t afraid to confront difficult emotions or experiences. I think that comes from growing up in an environment where emotions were often suppressed or ignored. Music became a way for me to express those emotions and experiences in a way that felt safe and authentic. So even now, when I’m writing songs, I’m always trying to tap into that same sense of honesty and vulnerability that I found so powerful in music when I was younger.
That’s really powerful. It’s amazing how music can be such a powerful tool for healing and self-expression. Speaking of which, your latest album, Lived Here for a While, deals with themes of healing and resilience. Can you talk a bit about how those themes came to be central to the album?
Yeah, definitely. The title of the album, Lived Here for a While, really speaks to the idea of resilience and perseverance. The songs on the album are all about overcoming obstacles and finding strength in the face of adversity. We’ve been through a lot as a band – from Jake’s accident to the van fire – and those experiences have definitely shaped the way we approach our music. But at the same time, those experiences have also shown us how resilient we can be, and how music can be a powerful tool for healing and growth. So in a way, the album is a reflection of that journey and a celebration of our ability to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.
That’s really beautiful. It’s amazing to see how music can help us navigate through the tough times and come out stronger on the other side. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us, Tyler. Is there anything else you’d like to add before we wrap up?
Just thank you for taking the time to talk with me and for listening to our music. It means a lot to us. And to anyone out there who’s going through a tough time, just know that you’re not alone. Music has a way of bringing us together and helping us find strength in each other. So keep listening, keep creating, and keep pushing through. We’re all in this together.
It was this really intense, emotional time. So, a lot of these songs were written in that headspace, in that time frame. And then, like I said, we had to wait a long time for the first record to come out, and then Jake’s accident happened, and then we’re in this weird space of, “Do we keep going? Do we not?” I think we all just felt really torn up about it. But I think, ultimately, we all landed on the side of, “Let’s keep going, let’s keep making music.”
So, I think the trajectory of the songs is interesting because they were written pre-accident, but then they’ve been lived with and changed through that experience. I think it just adds an extra layer of weight and meaning to them. It’s almost like they were written in a different world, and now they’re being lived in this world where we’ve all gone through this really intense experience together. I don’t know if that makes sense, but that’s how I see it.
It sounds like a really powerful and emotional journey, both personally and musically. How do you think that journey is reflected in the album as a whole?
I think the album is a lot about grief and loss, but also about resilience and moving forward. There’s a lot of darkness in the songs, but I think ultimately there’s a sense of hope too. I hope that people can listen to it and feel like they’re not alone in their struggles, that they can find some comfort in the music. That’s always been my goal with songwriting, to connect with people on a deeper level and let them know that they’re not alone. I think that’s what this album is all about – it’s about sharing our pain and our struggles, but also finding strength and light in the darkness.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and insights with us. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you for having me. I just want to say that I’m really grateful for the opportunity to make music and to connect with people through it. It’s been a challenging journey, but also a really rewarding one. I hope that people can listen to the album and find something in it that resonates with them. And I hope that we can all come together and support each other through our shared experiences. Thank you.
It was a really scary time for all of us, and I think we were all processing things in our own ways. For me, being on stage alone was a very vulnerable experience, but it also gave me a chance to connect with the audience in a different way. It made me realize how much I love performing and sharing my music with people, and how important it is to me to keep doing that, whether it’s with the band or on my own.
Driving to those solo shows, I had a lot of time to think about the band and what it means to me. I realized how much I rely on my bandmates for support and creative energy, and how much I value the relationships we’ve built over the years. It made me appreciate them even more, and made me realize that I really do want to keep making music with them.
Overall, those solo shows solidified for me how important music is in my life, and how much I want to keep pursuing it, both with the band and on my own. It was a challenging time, but it also gave me a lot of clarity and determination to keep moving forward. The idea of home for me is more about the connections I have with people, rather than a physical place. I feel most at home when I’m with my partner or with my friends, rather than in a specific location. Home is where I feel loved and supported, where I can truly be myself. And even though I may not have a traditional idea of home, I find comfort and stability in those relationships. Home is where the heart is, and my heart is with the people who truly care for me.
Mucho de ello es la respiración, y la práctica que sigo está conectada a Thich Nhat Hanh y la idea es que el hogar es la respiración. Muchos de los mantras, cuando estás haciendo una meditación caminando, una de las cosas que dicen es: “He llegado. Estoy en casa, aquí, ahora”. Regresar a la respiración – de alguna manera, eso se siente más como estar en casa que cualquier otra cosa, porque te ancla en lo que siempre tienes, que es el momento presente.
Esta entrevista ha sido editada y condensada para mayor claridad y brevedad.
Good Looks’ Lived Here for a While ya está disponible a través de Keeled Scales.