A study in contrasts, smooth, organic vocals with a pop sensibility, offset by instrumentation and arrangement harkening a bygone era, the music of Tyler Burkum speaks to both new and old in one fresh breath. A native of Minneapolis, MN, Tyler's music speaks truthfully and without frills of his life, love, family and home. Matt Kearny says "Tyler's the most talented friend I have. He has the ability to sing a simple song full of complex longing. Many nights on the road he would start to strum his guitar and bring to life a song that was bouncing around all our heads. He knows the pain of long distance love, and the joy found in a young man following his dreams." The songwriting and composition Burkum displays are reminiscent of when folk, blues, rock n' roll, and soul were one.
Recently touring as lead guitarist and backing vocals for Columbia recording artist Matt Kearney, Tyler continued to mold songs of his own during free time. The product of these private sessions is Burkum's first full-length studio recording, Darling Maybe Someday, released in June of 2008. Tracked in Nashville, TN with a talented band of friends and past collaborators, the album plays more as a heartfelt story than collection of singles. Each track is unique and personal to Tyler, while imploring listeners to adopt as their own.
Growing up in a musical family, lakeside in Minnesota, Tyler's education in the art began at a very young age. Influenced by songs from church, piano lessons, his father's guitar and record collection, Tyler's longing to write and play were evident. Receiving his first guitar at age eleven, it wasn't long before Tyler was playing along with all his favorite records and beginning to write some of his own. The music he enjoyed playing, and quotes as his most prominent influences, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Paul Simon and Jayhawks, were honest, raw, and transcended mere words and melodies.
At the age of 17, Tyler moved to Nashville, TN to play guitar for the band Audio Adrenaline. Spanning a period of ten years, Tyler toured the world, garnering two GRAMMY Awards, three Dove Awards, and two ASCAP awards. He also penned several No. 1 singles for the group over the span of seven studio recordings. Tyler's solo style is miles away from that of Audio Adrenaline, but the experiences and friendships created only furthered his drive for projects of his own.
Since leaving Audio Adrenaline, Tyler has made several national appearances, including; Late Night, The Tonight's Show, The Late Late Show, Ellen, and AOL Sessions with Aware/Columbia artist Mat Kearney. Studio sessions with various artists and some brief touring work with the band Wild Sweet Orange (Canvasback), including their SXSW debut, have also filled the time between recording Burkum's own work.
The past twelve years of Tyler Burkum's journey have taught, molded and finally brought him back where he always wanted to be - home. A raw, earnest collection of one man's story set to an intricate yet surprisingly accessible musical backdrop; Darling Maybe Someday is now.
