Many musicians draw their inspiration from their birthplace and this couldn’t be truer than in the case of Kentucky bred singer-songwriter Tyler Childers. His 2017 debut album Purgatory, co-produced by Grammy Award winner Sturgill Simpson, draws heavily on the dramatic setting of the famous Appalachian Mountains where he was raised.
Mixing classic folk and bluegrass style music with gritty lyrics, all sung with a voice part gravel, part honey, it’s little wonder Tyler’s album found it’s way onto a number of album of the year lists. Currently on tour and about to play his only UK date this Tuesday we caught up with Tyler Childers for a quick chat.
Tell us about the road you took into music?
I started playing at parties when I was a teenager. After that I played some open mics and started picking up random gigs for extra cash. I was lucky enough to get to the point where I could quit my day job after a few years.
What are your prime musical ambitions?
To be remembered as an iconic Appalachian writer!
What would you be doing right now if you hadn’t gotten a career in music?
I’d try to get my old job back laying floors, or try to get a job at Toyota in Georgetown.
Ok, you’re hosting a dinner party for five esteemed guests – who are they?
Laid Back Country Picker
Henry Clay
Daniel Boone
Simon Kenton
Wendell Berry
What’s your favourite place for a meal?
Dee’s Diner- Louisa, Kentucky.
What’s your least favourite instrument?
A Guitjo.
Your stuck on a desert island, you only have one album. Which is it?
Laid Back Country Picker, his self-titled album.
Who’s the one person you call in a crisis?
Ian Thornton, my manager.
You’re going on a first date – tell us the plans?
I’m a married man, no first dates for me anymore!
What’s your musical ‘guilty pleasure’?
My wife loves Beyoncé and through association sometimes I do too. Don’t tell her that.
If you could collaborate with any musician alive or dead who would it be?
Laid Back Country Picker.
What fruit or vegetable do you associate with most?
The Potato.
What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Opening for Town Mountain at the Isis theater in North Carolina.
What was the last book you read?
Mahabharata volume 4.
Who’d play you in a film?
Opie Taylor.
Tell us about your new music…
More sludge river stomp than before.
Catch Tyler’s only UK show this Tuesday at London’s Dingwalls.
Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tyler-childers-tickets-44629976461
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