An Interview With YouTube Sensation, TYLER WARD On His Debut EP, “Yellow Boxes” And Much More!

Check out Tyler Ward! He is a Billboard charting artist that essentially started the YouTube artist movement- with his creative and catchy vocals/arrangements and collaborations (Alyson Stoner, Lindsey Stirling, Cody Simpson just to name a few) and is one of the pioneers of selling and streaming cover songs, legally, on iTunes and Spotify, helping to establish the ability for other artists to collect advertising revenue through streaming monetization.

Tyler has worked with some of the TOP artists in music: Jason Derulo, Jason Mraz, Cody Simpson, Hunter Hayes and more. With over 2 million subscribers on YouTube, he has garnered national attention for his renditions of today’s pop hits. With over 51 MILLION spins on Pandora alone, his music being featured on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Suits, he is one you don’t want to miss!

His debut EP, “Yellow Boxes” was released on October 1st.  The intimate album reflects his personal/emotional journey over the past year. In conjunction with the release, he will embark on his 5th headlining WORLDWIDE tour!!

Learn more about Tyler in the following All Access interview:

Thank you for your time! How’s your summer going?

Summer? Every day feels like the summer in LA. Goodness. It’s been amazing! Lots and lots of personal growth!

You are credited as starting the YouTube artist movement. Can you explain how you got started doing that?

I was hanging out in my dad’s basement and put up some cover songs. People found them and seemed to take a liking.

Can you remember the very first video you posted? 

Oh gosh. I’m super embarrassed by it, but here it is…

With all the Youtube stars out today, how do you set yourself apart from the rest?

I’ve tried everything to stay relevant. It’s stressful and nothing works. It has to be genuine for it to work.  As long as I’m rooted in faith and around good people, the music career seems to follow. The minute I make music my life is the minute I squeeze too hard and things become chaotic and seem to fall apart.

On October 1st, you released your EP, “Yellow Boxes”. Can you explain how it reflects your personal and emotional journey over the past year?

I’m amped just to be finished with the project and have it out for folks to hear. Yellow Boxes is about my struggles and success. My heartbreaks and recoveries. My addictions and freedoms. It’s the first project that’s really honest, from top to bottom. I didn’t write this with “HITS” on the mind. I wrote this as a diary.

Where do you continue to get the inspiration for your music?

Life. 

How have your shows been going? Any stand out venues or crowds so far?

The shows take on a life of their own. Each one is different and unique. It’s the best tour I’ve been a part of since I’ve started playing music. I get to share my story and let people know that there’s freedom from vices and addiction. It’s been a life changing tour, for me, thus far.

Who are some of your all-time favorite musicians? Who would you love to work with in the future?

I love The Doobie Brothers. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE to write and record a song with Taylor Swift. ONE DAY…one day.

You have worked with some incredible artists like Jason DeRulo, Jason Mraz and others. What collaboration has really stood out to you?

Lindsey Stirling collabs were always my favorite, it’s been a minute or so since we’ve collabed on something but you might recognize a song about that pretty little lady on this new EP.

What do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs? 

I hope this gets the listener to ask the question of “Why do I do what I do?” and for them to not feel like they are alone.

What advice would you give to someone that is just starting to post videos to YouTube? Is there anything that you wish you had done differently? 

Practical advice: Let go of the results. Stay consistent. Be Genuine. HOLY COW be genuine. And if I could have done it again, I would have asked for more help on projects!  People matter. The team you surround yourself with will make or break you.