Tyler Ramsey Set For North East Date

Words by Adam Kennedy

Photo: Parker J Pfister

Adam Kennedy speaks with US-based singer/songwriter and guitarist Tyler Ramsey ahead of his upcoming show on Tyneside.

Tyler Ramsey is a singer-songwriter and unique fingerstyle guitarist who has built a rich catalogue rooted in modern folk and indie rock. He refined his sound while living in the western mountainous region of North Carolina, where he studied local styles of folk and drew inspiration from country blues musicians who travelled through the area. He gained recognition as the lead guitarist and songwriter of Band of Horses for 10 years.

Most recently, Tyler has partnered with Carl Broemel (guitarist with My Morning Jacket) to release their full-length debut Celestun, out now. Having been friends and occasional touring partners for well over a decade, the album is a marvel of interwoven musicianship and a testament to their camaraderie.

With the release of Celestun, there has been lots on the agenda for the artist. “Well, last year I stayed pretty busy,” said Tyler. “I think it's a challenging time right now to be touring around, and it doesn't seem to be getting easier, but I feel like leading into this year, things are feeling a little bit better.”

Working with Carl Broemel on the Celestun project has been a long time in the making. “So, he and I had met when my former band was opening for My Morning Jacket for a run of shows. And we kind of got to know each other a little bit, but not too much on that run,” reflects Tyler. “He came through town with his band touring one of his solo records, and I went and saw him and hung out. And, I felt like we were kind of both in a similar place in our careers, and we're kind of, I guess, kindred spirits. We're definitely different kinds of people, but I think there are a lot of similarities in our personalities and everything. And so, we got along. I talked to him after his show, and I was like, we should try and do something together sometime. And we ended up booking a tour, just kind of without even knowing what we were going to do.”

Tyler continues: “We had shows lined up, and I drove over to Nashville and went to his house, and we rehearsed for a few days for that tour. And it immediately clicked. Our guitar styles are pretty different, but they just work really well together, and our voices work well, harmony-wise. So that whole tour, basically, we each chose 15 songs from each of our catalogues, and then I would learn his songs, but I would learn them in a way that I would have played them. I wouldn't learn the parts from the records. I was just kind of filling in the space in the way I thought it needed to be filled in. And he did the same on my songs, and it was just magical.”

Tyler adds: “It was really, really fun. I think we did another run and then, kind of during the pandemic, I started sending him just some instrumental pieces that I'd been working on, just for the fun of it, not with the intention of even starting a record, but that was what led to this record, and we continued to work on it.”

The artist’s writing style comes from a personal place. “I always ended up writing from a personal place,” he confirms. “I've tried to branch out. I don't know, maybe someday I will. But it usually ends up being something that needs to be said from my own perspective or someone close to me, and that I am a part of the story or whatever. It's usually that.”

Tyler Ramsey will shortly return to the UK for a run of dates, which includes a pit stop in the North East. “I had a great time the last time,” he explains. “I flew up there and did those shows with Lissie, and I loved it.” One of the artist’s most memorable UK dates was at Union Chapel in London. “That might be one of my favourite shows. I've done some great shows over there, but that was such a fun, incredible space to be in. And the crowd was incredible. The crowd was fantastic and very receptive to me as an opener. I'm really excited to come back, and this is on a solo venture as well. So, I'm excited to get over there and do a little travelling. It's not going to be a vacation because I'll be busy, but I'm hoping to do a little exploring as well and get to travel around and just see more,” said Tyler.

Outside of the UK tour, Tyler Ramsey has lots of irons in the fire. “I've got shows lining up and a couple more runs with Carl for Celestun, and I've got some band shows coming up around in the States. But mostly what I want to do, Carl and I are already talking about getting started on another record together, and I really want to. I've been writing for my own next album too, so I'm going to continue to write and try to get another album together by the end of the year, which is my hope. We'll see how it goes. It doesn't always come when I want it to, but that's the dream.”

Tyler Ramsey will perform at Gosforth Civic Theatre on Thursday, 2nd April. For ticket information and further details, please visit: https://www.gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk/.