nme with justin tyler

NME: Your latest single, 'Tonight We Are in Living Proof', has been getting attention while you're on the road. What's the story behind it?

Justin:

It's a song about survival, really. About looking at everything you've been through and realizing you're still here.

I wrote it during the Rushville period, and it was one of those songs that came together quite naturally.

I wasn't trying to write some enormous statement. I wanted something that felt honest.

There's a line of thinking throughout Rushville about finding light in difficult circumstances. That was partly influenced by the Green Lantern stories I was reading, but it was also just about life.

I think this song takes that idea and makes it a little more direct.

NME: It's become quite a moment during the solo performances, hasn't it?

Justin:

It has! It's actually one of my favourite parts of the show.

There's a section where I stop playing and let the audience take over for a moment. It's a lovely thing to experience.

I think the song lends itself to that kind of performance. It's not about having the biggest production or the loudest guitars.

Sometimes it's just about hearing a room full of people singing something back to you.

NME: Have you changed the arrangement for the tour?

Justin:

Quite a bit. It's much more acoustic now.

I play a Martin, and we keep the lighting fairly simple. There's a little bit of atmosphere, but nothing particularly elaborate.

I wanted the song to have room to breathe.

Album three: Finding a new direction

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NME: You've mentioned that you're already working on ideas for your third album. What's the progress?

Justin:

I've been writing quite a lot, actually.

I've got a collection of demos that I'm slowly putting together. Some are fairly complete, while others are just little ideas that I've recorded on my phone or on a guitar when I've had a spare hour.

I think I'm at the stage where I'm starting to understand what the next record might sound like, but I don't want to get too attached to anything yet.

NME: Will it be a continuation of Rushville?

Justin:

I don't think so. I mean, there'll probably be some similarities because it's still me writing the songs.

But I don't want to make Rushville 2.

Laughs.

I think the next record needs to have its own identity. Lonesome Wanderer was about discovery. Rushville was about reflection. I haven't quite figured out what the third album is about yet.

Maybe that's the interesting part.

NME: Musically, are you thinking about returning to a full-band sound?

Justin:

Absolutely. I love playing acoustic, and this tour has reminded me how important that foundation is.

But I've got some songs that are begging for electric guitars. There's some piano-based material, too, and a few ideas that are much more atmospheric.

I want to get back into a room with musicians and experiment.

I'm particularly interested in recording live performances rather than building everything up one instrument at a time.

NME: Have you started recording proper studio sessions?

Justin:

Not really. It's mostly been demos and arrangements.

The plan is to finish this tour, take a little bit of time to recharge, and then get properly stuck into the studio.

I've been making notes about equipment, sounds, and producers I'd like to work with. I'm probably more organized than I've ever been, which is slightly concerning.

Laughs.

The final destination: Japan

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NME: The tour has been running for some time now. You've said you want to finish it in Japan. Is that still the plan?

Justin:

Absolutely. Japan is where I'd like to bring this whole thing to a close.

We've already had some wonderful shows throughout the tour, and it's been really rewarding seeing how different audiences respond to the songs.

Japan has always been somewhere I've wanted to spend more time. I've played there before, and the audiences have been incredibly welcoming.

I think it would be a lovely place to finish a tour that's been so personal.

NME: Which cities are you hoping to visit?

Justin:

Tokyo and Osaka are definitely priorities. I'd love to spend some time in Kyoto as well.

I'd quite like to have a mixture of venues. Some larger performances, but perhaps a few smaller, more intimate nights.

I don't want to turn the final leg into something overly complicated. I think the whole point of this tour is keeping things simple.

NME: Will the Japanese dates be the last performances before you disappear into the studio?

Justin:

That's the idea.

I don't think I'll be rushing straight home and recording the next morning. I'll probably take a little time to enjoy being there.

But once we're back, I want to get the recording process moving.

I think I'll have a much better idea of what the album needs after finishing this tour.