The Many Sounds of Tyler Grant: Coming Back Home to Bluegrass [INTERVIEW]

Colorado flatpicker Tyler Grant has a brand new solo album, appropriately titled Flatpicker, available now, and an album release show on Friday, April 18 at Boulder’s eTown Hall.

By Colleen Murphy (of Denver band Bottlerocket Hurricane)

I was lucky enough to catch the very busy Tyler Grant between his many projects and glimpse what he’s been up to. I have had the good fortune of knowing Tyler through many incarnations, and ever since I first heard him pick a tune like “Forked Deer,” I have kept him on my radar.

From his weekly play-along jams and country rock vibes to his river stories and current return to his bluegrass roots, Tyler continues to reinvent his music while staying true to his original style, which is uniquely his own.

Colleen Murphy:

First off, tell us what’s new and exciting for you this year.

Tyler Grant:

Same old road with new twists & turns! I’ve been in a big rebranding phase & really trying to show up in the Bluegrass community.

C:

We heard you have a new album?

TG:

Indeed. Pretty psyched about Flatpicker. 

C:

How is this record different to other albums or recordings you’ve made?

TG:

This is the first Bluegrass-oriented release since Earth & Wood in 2016 and Kanawha County Flatpicking in 2018. I’ve matured as a songwriter & singer (I’ve really matured in every possible grown-up way too) and wanted to show the world how that progress has been going.

C: 

Tell us about your river experiences and how they have shaped your music.

TG:

The Pandemic took away Grant Farm, the Cosmic Americana band that I had put ten years of my best effort into, but it presented me with a whole new opportunity to live out my dreams of being involved in Outdoor Leadership.

Scotty Stoughton, founder of WinterWonderGrass Festival, invited me on the Inaugural launch of what would become known as RiverWonderGrass back in June 2020, with Adrift Dinosaur, a rafting company of which he is a partner. I loved the experience so much that I became a guide, so in the past five years & have been out there quite a bit in the majestic River Canyons of Dinosaur National Monument, running rapids, educating guests on the Geology & Natural History of the area, and playing music for them.

It’s been a life-changing experience that has permeated my musical being. I feel free & unencumbered out there. Performing in the Wilderness is wonderful, and the spectacular scenery has worked its way into many of my compositions, such as Canyon Flatpicking. My next recording project will be a suite of pieces that I’ve composed with direct inspiration from the Canyon of Lodore on the Green River, which we run on our RiverWonderGrass Expeditions.

C:

Who is on the album with you and or supporting your album release shows?

TG:

For the show at eTown this Friday, we have Andy Reiner on fiddle, Dylan McCarthy on mandolin & Ace Engfer on bass, all of whom played on the album. Elijah Donovan is a fully capable replacement for Andy Thorn, who is home with his wife eagerly awaiting the arrival of their second child. On the album I had special guest harmony vocals added by Michael Daves & Erin Youngberg.

C:

What other projects/performances are you excited about?

TG:

Pickin’ On The Dead is a side project that pops up here & there. We have a big show at the Fox Theatre in Boulder on May 30, with Riverspell opening. https://www.axs.com/events/820984/pickin-on-the-dead-ft-tyler-grant-michael-kirkpatrick-ace-engfer-sean–tickets

I have my own RiverWonderGrass bluegrass trio launch July 4-7 with Adrift Dinosaur.

I’m producing an album for a hot CO group called Tonewood String Band, which should be available in the Fall.

My Flatpicking Academy on ArtistWorks is growing & I really enjoy interacting with students on the Video Exchange platform there. I recently returned to the ArtistWorks studio to add a bunch of songs & tunes to the curriculum. https://artistworks.com/guitar-lessons-tyler-grant

I have also been playing some shows with Billy Failing which have been musically fun and fulfilling.

C:

How do you feel about music in the climate of todays society?  (without getting political unless you want to) Do you feel that music can make an impact on social change?

TG:

I try to speak out for causes that I believe in through my music & my social media, mainly human rights & Public Lands/Wildlife Advocacy. I am not afraid to discuss issues, and I like to keep it inclusive & respectful for all perspectives. I believe that we can achieve unity on our core values while still maintaining our personal belief systems.

C:

Tell me more about your new album,  Flatpicker.  I enjoyed the familiar feel of many of the tracks. This seems like a return to your roots, perhaps?

TG:

The title Flatpicker is a reference to my flatpicking guitar practice being the common thread through a lifestyle of adventure & inspiration. No matter where I am or what I am experiencing, that guitar is in my hand every day.

It was time to re-introduce myself to the Bluegrass community. And I had the songs.

C: Well, welcome back to bluegrass. Where can we find out more about your music ?

TG:

I keep things up-to-date at https://tylergrant.com

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You can catch Tyler Grant (along with Reiner, McCarthy, Donovan & Engfer) this Friday at kGNU’s Etown 7pm Boulder CO for the FLATPICKER album release.  TICKETS/INFO

Colleen Murphy is a multi media artist from Denver CO. She fronts a 6 piece band called Bottlerocket Hurricane as well as creating sculptural found art, murals and writing. Her arts can be found at:

 https://bottlerockethurricane.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thinning_veil_artworks

https://thinningveilartworks.com/