Meet Tyler Lauren | Singer-Songwriter & Actor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Lauren and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, what do you want people to remember about you?
I’m a perfectionist, so there are often lots of specifics when I talk about my legacy, and I’d be lying if I said a lot of them weren’t centered around being really “good” at something. But I’m also feeling more and more like the most important question answered in my legacy will be if I left things better than I found them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think, in terms of my art, what sets me apart is my ability to find a sense of belonging in so many sounds, genres, directions, etc. We live in a culture that emphasizes specialization, and sometimes that’s the right move. But often times, we force young people to choose a singular path when it’s not necessary. It’s heartbreaking to think about how, by doing so, we discourage so many amazing things before they ever come to fruition.

I’ve always felt drawn to lots of interests, and within my creative interests, I never felt that any one avenue encapsulated everything I was. I struggled with the pressures of “choosing” for a long time. But after years of both motivated and doubtful moments, I felt moved to pursue singing, acting, and performing. I felt that there was a way for me to pursue every opportunity presented without compromising my values, high standards, or quality, and I was fortunate enough to have a strong support system that reassured all those beliefs.

I’m probably most proud that I followed my intuition. Years ago, I told myself good things would happen if I worked really hard and just focused on making art that I’d want to listen to, see, experience, etc. So far, so good.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m “from” Vallejo, but I was born in Berkeley, lived in Oakland, and went to school in San Francisco. My best friends know all my favorite spots well by now, but if a good friend from out of town was coming to visit, I’d want to show them all around the bay. My favorite studios and best friends in the music scene are all in Vallejo, so we’d have to find time to make music and stop by my parents’ house for some home cooking. I’d probably also want to grab something good to eat in the City, just because I feel most confident in my restaurant/food knowledge out there. And before they leave, I’d have to find us something to do in the East Bay, ideally something related to Bay Area sports that just happens to fall on a First Friday in Oakland. Anyone who knows me can vouch that if I’m going out it’s for one of two things: live shows and my Bay Area teams.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is for my mom and dad, the Black women that paved the way for artists like me, the Coastal Miwok, the Suisun, Karkin Ohlone, and other Patwin peoples that are the original inhabitants of the land (otherwise known as the Vallejo area) that raised me, and the amazingly talented young artists from there that have welcomed me into rooms where life-changing art is made.

x

Website: https://linktr.ee/tylerlauren

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylerlaaauren/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylerlaaauren?lang=en

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeichEWAwp3HFKqATQqvBlQ?sub_confirmation=1

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6SsJjCvJ9juy5EpW8NH4VZ?si=k0zNpvtzQyiD4PT0h8Urxw&nd=1 Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tyler-lauren/1540218497 TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thetylerlauren

Image Credits
Dakota Lim, Noel Sigua, Michael Lim, Alex Devine