Tyler Morris Interview. Tyler Drew Morris is a 16 year old teenage guitar prodigy from the suburbs of Boston Massachusetts. Interview April 6, 2016.
Tyler Morris Interview
– What’s new in the world of Tyler Morris? Tyler Morris – I am getting ready to release my second album, “The Chaos Continues” in Early-Mid June. I have been working on this album for over a year and am really excited about it! “The Chaos Continues” features some of my best melodic writing to date. Also, this album features a guest solo by the legendary Joe Stump on a song called “The Hunt”, the last song on the album. Additionally, I recently got back from performing at the Guitar Gods Festival alongside Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Rudy Sarzo, Nicko McBrain, Gus G. and others at The Miami Beach Bandshell. I also performed on The Axes and Anchors Cruise as well.
Lately, I have also been performing regularly with The James Montgomery Band around Boston. In January, I demonstrated for Fishman Electronics and Dean Guitars at my 6th NAMM show and I will also be demonstrating in the upcoming Summer NAMM show in Nashville in Mid June.
– Where did the concepts come from for the And So It Begins… Album? Also the artwork? Since it was my first album, I chose to name it “And So It Begins”, which is also a double entendre, eluding to an alien battle (as pictured in the artwork). I wrote the majority of the music for “And So It Begins” when I was 14 years old and I recorded the album when I was 15. I composed all of the parts on the album including the vocal melodies and the lyrics. Since “And So It Begins” has sold very well, “The Chaos Continues” will be a sequel to “And So It Begins”, continuing on the invasion theme, however, this time with zombies.
The artwork was designed by an artist named Brian Allen of Flyland Designs. He also did some work for a couple of Meatloaf’s records. I had the idea of the pose that I wanted and an alien spacecraft attacking Earth. People always ask me if Yngwie’s 1986 “Trilogy” album influenced the artwork at all. The answer is yes! “Trilogy” is one of my favorite albums and the artwork on “And So It Begins” pays homage to this album, however, my style of original music is very different from strictly Yngwie and Uli Jon Roth inspired Neo Classical Music. I love that genre, however, I am also largely influenced by Jazz, Classic Rock, Blues and Hard Rock.
– How did you create your guitar tone? I use a custom version of the REVV Generator 120 and the REVV generator 7-40. These amps were used throughout the album. I love how everything from the clean tone, the classic rock tone and the modern tone is the best that I have heard on an amp. The clean sound alone is better than any clean amp vintage or new that I have ever tried before.
For cables, I use Asterope by Fishman, which are 1 directional cable that strengthen the tone of the guitar in the amp and allow the natural resonance to shine through better. These cables pair great with my favorite pickups, the Fishman Fluence line of hum buckers and single coils. I have personally A/B’d the Fluence humbuckers with a mint 1959 Gibson Les Paul model at the NAMM show that was valued in the 6 figure range and there is no comparison, Fluence humbuckers are simply the BEST on the market. I have been using them for nearly 2 years now and I have yet to find another pickup that is as clean, crisp and as quiet as the Fluence pickups.
I use Dean guitars exclusively. More specifically, I use the Jacky Vincent, Thoroughbred and NashVegas models. Dean simply produces the most incredible products on the market today. It is no wonder that so many legendary players have gravitated toward their instruments over the years. In my opinion, the quality on these instruments off the shelf are incredible. I use guitars that do not differ from the ones sold in stores.
I use a Floyd Rose tremolo system with a Stone Tone Rock Block in my Jacky Vincent model. The Stone Tone improves the overall sustain and clarity of the instrument. For guitar picks, I use custom Dunlop Tortex 1.5mm gauge picks that Dunlop makes for me with my album artwork imprinted on them. I use a Fender YJM Overdrive, a Boss NS-2 Noise Gate, a TC Electronic Polytune, a Dunlop Mini Cry Baby, an MXR Carbon Copy Delay and a Morley Alligator Volume Pedal. I am really fascinated with a new product lately called The Neck Illusion. The company Neck Illusions will make any design imaginable for you to go on your fretboard! They produce incredible products!! I also exclusively use Ernesto Hernandez at Nesto Guitars for all of my luthier service. He is the best tech in my opinion! He is local in Boston, MA.
– How many shows do you play per year on average, and how crazy does the schedule get? I would estimate that I play about 100-200 shows a year. I perform regularly in local venues around Boston 3-5 times a week. I also fly out to California, Florida, Nashville and other places across the United States regularly to perform. Additionally, I perform at annual trade shows. I generally average about 15-20 shows a month.
– How important is it for a musician in this generation to spend time on social media? I believe that Social Media is the most important outlet for modern musicians. Since record companies are not necessary any more, Social Media is the primary means of promotion. The most important thing to do on Social Media is to connect with your fan base. People do not want to be spammed.
Sharing your favorite influences, excitement about upcoming projects and shows and other true aspects are the most effective ways to get through to people on Social Media. Additionally, many of my friends who are legendary musicians help promote my projects and get my Social Media page out there. Companies who I endorse also share me on their Social Media pages. Ultimately, Social Media is the MOST VITAL form of marketing in the music industry today. Please check out my Social Media Links: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Tyler-Morris-1475019532726639/ INSTAGRAM: @tylermorrisofficial WEBSITE: www.tylerdmorris.com YOUTUBE: https://m.youtube.com/user/Tyler5150ful? ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/and-so-it-begins/id956408243 AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RZVQFO2/182-4703649-1088003?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
– In your opinion, which album would be essential to have if someone were stranded on a deserted island? That is a tough question because I am into so many different styles of music. I would have to say that Van Halen I is my desert island album. You can never stop learning from Van Halen. There is always more incredible phrasing to learn from. Additionally, I like to listen to lyrics and Van Halen definitely has its share of memorable songs.
– In your career you have met with great musicians. What would be your greatest memories and achievements until now? I would say that one of my fondest achievements has been all of my meetings and performances with Yngwie Malmsteen. Every time I see Malmsteen, he is incredibly nice to me and always compliments my playing. It is incredible as he is one of my all-time favorite players. Another one of my biggest heroes is Uli Jon Roth, who I have been fortunate enough to converse with on many equations. He always has some sort of insightful wisdom to tell me.
I have performed with Sammy Hagar, Vince Neil, and Kip Winger as well. These guys are some of my all time favorite vocalists so it is an incredible achievement for me. I also really enjoy spending time and performing with Gary Hoey, Rudy Sarzo and Joe Stump, some of the nicest and most incredible musicians on the planet!! Overall, I am proud to call some of my biggest heroes friends.
– Do you practice your instrument every day to keep up with current styles and genres?
I practice about 4 hours a day on the week days (because of school) and about 8 hours a day on weekends. I find that there are so many songs to learn and so little time. While there are thousands of songs that I wish I had the time to learn perfectly, recently, I have been structuring a lot of my time around song writing and composing because, between learning, practicing and schoolwork, I wasn’t finding enough time to develop any of my thousands of ideas that I have on tape.
Even if someone feels that their abilities are all they need to achieve what they want, if you don’t practice beyond your limits, then you won’t maintain your skill level. For example, I do not necessarily need or desire to play faster than I currently do, however, if I do not practice pieces of music that are beyond my technical and phrasing limits, then the knowledge and technique that I have now will not be maintained. It is important to set aside some time for practice. At the very minimal, 15 minutes a day of new and intimidating material.
– What would be some of your main musical influences today? Tyler Morris – I have a broad and diverse range of influences. George Benson, Ritchie Blackmore, Eric Clapton, Joe Stump, Eddie Van Halen, Gary Hoey, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Andy Timmons, Uli Jon Roth, Freddie King, Albert King, T-Bone Walker, Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, Angus Young, Brad Whitford and others are players who I am drawn to and inspire me. Lately I have been listening to a lot of singers and Steven Tyler and Steve Perry are my absolute favorites. Overall, it is important to be melodic. Hope you enjoyed the interview with Tyler Morris