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Tyler Hilton talks new tunes

Meagan Clements | Guest Writer

Get ready to sink your ears in some solid new songs! With an EP out April 20, an LP to follow and a sweltering tour with Spill Canvas, charismatic recording artist Tyler Hilton of Warner Brothers Records brings a tasty blend of tunes ranging from country/folk to Americana pop.

“[For the EP], I picked songs that were a little more love-story driven—that’s why I named it ‘Ladies and Gentlemen,’” Hilton said. “They were also the first songs that I wanted people to hear off the LP.”

For Hilton, “The Storms We Share” (follow-up LP to 2004’s “The Track of”) was about finding the right balance—satisfying himself, the fans and the major label.

“I was tying to find that balance between writing pop/rock tunes, singer/songwriter folky tunes and country tunes and also make the record exciting and not some kind of sleepy record,” Hilton said. “It was definitely by far one of the hardest things I’ve had to put together.”

If left up to Hilton, he'd release a record with as many as 25 tracks on it.

"I kept thinking that my own personal feelings about the songs were sometimes getting in the way of what would be the best for the record," Hilton said.

Customary of most major labels, the bar was set high for Hilton.

“Sometimes you can overpressure somebody and squeezing something out of them ends up sounding not genuine," Hilton said. "On the flipside of that, you can end up pushing someone past where they want to be pushed and end up coming up with some of the best music you’ve ever made, which is what in a lot of cases, happened with me.”

From up-tempo yet intimate scores to radio-friendly riffs, Hilton's passion for playing exceeds just another "hit song." Sketching the “sunset desert haze” with his signature throaty rasp, Hilton leaves listeners but one option—crank up that stereo and sing along.

“Tyler's voice sells any song he sings on, and his voice is the thread that ties the album together,” indie artist Curtis Peoples said. “Whether it's the more acoustic songs like ‘Say It Like A Lie,’ or more pop/rock songs like the song we wrote ‘So Young,’ you believe Tyler when he's singing.”

While writing for the record, Hilton moved to Nashville, setting clubs alight with his novel compositions and immersing himself in songwriting sessions with Grammy-award-winning country trio Lady Antebellum.  Rachel Yamagata, Colbie Caillat and Taylor swift were among other artists Hilton befriended.

Hilton, who grew up performing country, folk and blues music, agreed that living in Nashville accentuated the “country” in a few of his scores. Still, he was apprehensive to let genre define his new record.

“I just wanted to write songs that I dug and produce them in the best way I could,” Hilton said.

However, writing for the record proved tougher than Hilton could ever have imagined.

“I started realizing that putting together a group of songs for a record was different than putting together a group of songs for a setlist,” Hilton said.

It wasn't long before frustration set in.

“I’d put together a favorite group of my songs and they wouldn’t sound good together—they would sound disjointed," Hilton said. "I couldn’t figure it out—I didn’t know if it was the production that wasn’t working so I kept having to change producers, change studios and change cities.”

While Hilton may have endured hardships in writing and recording for "The Storms We Share," the album (as its title alludes) spotlights several tracks of encouragement, among them "Keep On" and "This World Will Turn" (both which appear on Hilton's EP).

"Hilton's lyrical depth seems to reflect his personal struggle, growth and subsequent maturity over the past few years," longtime listener Pat Wehner said. His musical intensity has a bite which pulls you in...you feel as though you're traveling that road with him."

A vulnerable yet honest performer, Hilton molds thought-provoking lyrics ("the beauty in the window/the princess of the shadows"), picturesque imagery ("I've never seen the sky as vanilla as tonight") and edgy yet endearing moments sure to tickle your emotions whether cruising in the car or listening live.

Hilton’s laid-back looks and witty sense of humor aren’t all adorning teens and twenty-somethings are attracted to.

Spinning his scores since 2002, Katie Williamson was moved by themes of love and encouragement dominating Hilton’s latest releases.

“I think any songwriter is affected by what’s going on around them and Tyler’s records all show influences from his life’s story,” Williamson said. “I think it’s inspiring and it’s cool—from where I’m sitting anyway, being a fan for all these years, to see that gradual change and to see everything fall into place for him.”

Stephanie Stephens, another longtime listener, agreed.

“Overall I enjoy Tyler's music because you can hear and feel the passion he pours into every song,” Stephens said. “Musicians share their emotions through song and Tyler does so flawlessly.”

Hilton agrees it's best not to look at the past or to the future, but rather live in the present.

"It’s humbling to think that this business can change in a dime," Hilton said. "You can try to guess where it’s going but you can’t and so you’re safest bet is just to make something that’s good and that you dig."

From an ounce of vocal grit enough to sustain energy throughout tracks like "Sixteenth Summer" and “Sunset Blvd” to the sound of his contagious laughter sweeping across center stage, Hilton is one artist worth the investment.

“Tyler's new songs have more of a depth and a richness in the production,” Peoples said. “The highs are higher and the lows are lower. Songs like ‘I Believe In You’ and ‘This World Will Turn’ are big emotions, but they're still really catchy tunes.”

Whether redefining simple elegance or raising the bar with undeniably catchy hooks sure to garner accolades from an all-ages audience, Hilton puts "memorable" back in music, leaving listeners a reason to lend an ear.

Music theory professor Joel Clifft caught sight of a YouTube video entitled “Girl Who Got Away,” premiering one of Hilton’s unreleased tracks.

“The simplicity of the chords and melody are an effective vehicle to deliver some beautiful poetry,” Clifft said.

Whether you enjoy soaking up the sun or meditating with the music, Hilton’s upcoming releases will tug at your heart and gnaw at your soul. A bountiful brew of fearless folk/rock, jubilant soul-pop and galvanizing musical licks, Hilton’s releases emote more than just colorful textures and canny flavors.

From swank rhythms to the daring fusion of energy and intimacy all in one line, Hilton ventures into musical territory, few singer-songwriters have gone before. Braving the adversities often faced by industry artists, Hilton has “survived the storms” and has the songs to show for it.

“I think in the time it’s taken to make this record (you know a lot of people would have made several records), I feel the growth,” Hilton said. “I think I have become more susceptible to other people’s ideas in a good way and become more secure in who I am as an artist.”

For tour dates or information on purchasing Hilton’s music, visit: http://www.tylerhilton.com or check out his MySpace music page. Registered users of Hilton’s website receive a free download of “Keep On,” hailing from his April EP, “Ladies and Gentlemen” and summer LP “The Storms We Share.”