Q&A With Rising Underground Artist Evan Tyler
What’s up EVAN TYLER! We enjoyed your new album MUSEUMARANG! Tell me, how did you interest in becoming a rap artist come about?
When I was in grade one in 1991, I became a Michael Jackson impersonator in elementary school. There were two of us actually… what are the chances? Two kids committed to late 80’s/early 90’s MJ in Regina, Saskatchewan. Dancing and singing to Michael was my introduction to keeping a beat, moving my body, experiencing breath control and public performance. I did a little show for my elementary school assembly one Friday, totally official with the clearance from Madame Saunders, the principal. She gifted me my first gig.
“The Jump Off” by Wu-Tang was the first track that made me want to write rap. I used to write on those super long scholastic elementary school lined sheets. I would dip into the teacher’s supply cabinets and go shopping.
I learned how to make rap in my basement with friends. That’s the best way I think.
What are you PROS and CONS when it comes to being a hard-working indie Hip Hop artist?
Pros: All the good hipster brunch that comes with the rap life.
Cons: No matter how much or how great you rap, it’s not going to bring back Zellers.
Feel free to breakdown the creative process of your new album MUSEUMARANG.
I usually write albums while on the road. I wrote this whole record while sliding through BC, Saskatchewan, Toronto and NYC. I often used long walks and deep breathing techniques to achieve much success with my rap questing. When I finish we sleep for a thousand years in a grapefruit sunset. There were gilded octopus tentacles and many pleasures of both void and volume.
Who are you Hip Hop influences?
Sade, The colour sky blue and most of its derividevs and gradations, basic chill-hop mixes on YouTube, ham and swizz sandwiches, Ghostface Killah, Q-Tip, Zack De La Rocha, Ira lee and mid-90’s jazzy ninja tune trip-hop culture.
How many music videos do you have under your belt?
I have a brand new video coming out this month from MUSEUMARNAG titled “Wherever you are (in this real world)” which was shot in Regina, SK, Brooklyn, NYC and Toronto, Ontario.
At the moment you can view these two joints:
“Best Friends with Sade”
https://vimeo.com/164667587
“You’re Hysterical”
https://vimeo.com/123471591
Almost never. I did a show with Ira Lee in 2012 and other than that I rap sporadically in the streets and in public. I do little concerts for my cats, mostly. I used to perform live when I lived in Saskatchewan; I’m actually into it. I’ll pick it up again one day — I’m pretty occupied being a skeleton wizard with passable powers in the studio on the daily grizzly.
What is your opinion on collaborating with other MCs, is it a good thing or bad thing for you as an indie artist?
Collaborations are like Forest Gump. They run fast and win the football game with humble fortitude.
Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
That’s easy! It’s a special dumpling with a meat treat hidden in sticky rice – the heart’s desire.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
Instead of giving you all my social media links just check this out:
Lastly, and shout out?
I’d like to thank my forever-amazing wife, Alice. I’d like to praise my beautiful cats PieWackett and Miss Priss. I’d like to throw my dunkie love to Chris, Dana, Dave Brass, Draper, topless literati, Erin Gee, Emily and Cooper, RSTY, 73stan, Ira Lee, Vanessa John, Awaking Dreamer, Indie Band Guru, Matthew Dog and of course, Underground Hip-Hop Blog. Thanks for the questions! Time to listen to my music and eat that face.
