Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Tyler Gomez

There’s no stopping Tyler Gomez. The up-and-coming singer-songwriter is the future of music and has four singles already under his belt. His latest, “They Won’t Stop Us Now”, reached the Top 50 on iTunes and is a powerful message about the strength of a relationship and silencing the naysayers. Pop Culturalist caught up with Tyler to chat about his career and “They Won’t Stop Us Now”.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Tyler: When I was in second grade, I was just drawn to the guitar because I thought it looked fun. So, I started taking lessons and began learning how to play songs with my teacher. Eventually, I started learning just by watching performances on YouTube. I was really inspired by guitarists like Tommy Emmanuel and Sung Jung; the style that they were playing was different. They would add percussion at the same time while they were playing, which is really fun. Then, I started getting into singing as well as music production. I could honestly just spend hours playing and making music—it’s almost like a video game for me.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Tyler: There are so many! It’s so hard to just pick one. Everyone from Beyoncé and Charlie Puth to Justin Bieber, but Ed Sheeran has definitely had the biggest influence on me, I think. I really like his performances and overall style, musically. I feel it is really unique and filled with a lot of emotion.

PC: What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this industry?
Tyler: Again, there are so many! I think that the biggest thing that I have learned is not to care about what others think about you. If you’re doing what makes you happy and you’re not hurting anyone, ignore any negativity. I used to care a lot about what other people would think of me when I was younger, and if someone didn’t like me, I felt like there must have been something I did wrong to upset them. But, I learned that in reality there are going to be people who just don’t like you for no reason. I mean if you tried being nice to them and they don’t want to be nice back, you just have to shake it off and continue living your best life. It’s like that Taylor Swift song, “Shake It Off”. [laughs]

PC: Tell us about your new single, “They Won’t Stop Us Now”. What inspired the track?
Tyler: “They Won’t Stop Us Now” is about a relationship between two people, though nobody around them wants to see them happy together and be successful, so everyone just wants to bring them down and tear them apart, but the couple is really happy together. Even though everyone is going against them, they don’t let anything stop them or get in between their love for each other. They have built up their relationship and both really trust each other and care for one another. It’s really sad to see sometimes how people don’t approve of relationships, especially when there was nothing wrong with the couple.

PC: You’ve released a few songs thus far. Can fans expect a larger body of work? If so, what can you tease about it?
Tyler: Right now, it looks like my project is going to be released in April 2020. I’m really excited for it. But until then, I’ll be posting lots of photos, videos, and covers on my Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.

PC: If you had to choose one song that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Tyler: I would say the direction I am going musically is similar to “Let Me Love You” by DJ Snake and Justin Bieber. It’s the style of music that I want to be making and I feel that the song speaks about not giving up on something you believe in and at least trying to give it your best effort. It is also about a relationship, which is something that I really like singing about.

PC: What are some of your career aspirations?
Tyler: My career aspirations would be to help people in some way. I have gotten messages before saying that my music and posts on social media have helped kids during hard times in their lives, and honestly, that felt so rewarding. I want to be able to use my platform to spread a message of positivity, love, and happiness.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Tyler: Most of the stuff I listen to is from Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, etc., but I do have a playlist of music titled “Chill” and the one song that comes to mind is “Fallen” by Jaden Smith. I really like that song when I just want to relax or after a long day.

PC: First album you bought?
Tyler: The very first album I bought was one of AC/DC’s albums. That was actually the band that got me really into music when I was in elementary school. [laughs] I was at a Catholic school and I would go home and listen to and play “Highway to Hell” on my guitar, which looking back on it now is pretty ironic.

PC: First concert you attended?
Tyler: The very first concert that I went to that I wanted to go to was Beyoncé! It was amazing. It was in San Francisco, CA and it was her On the Run Tour. I just think she is such an amazing performer and artist.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Tyler: Beyoncé’s self-titled album. There is a song on there called “Pretty Hurts”, and I really like that song because it reminds me how we do not need to accept all the expectations that are on us to look a certain way. We can all be happy and beautiful just the way we are.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Tyler: Madison Square Garden would be a dream come true. If I ever got to that point with music, I would probably break down crying with tears of joy.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Tyler: My acoustic guitar. I feel like time can go by so fast when you have a guitar with you. I remember when I was younger, I would practice my guitar downstairs in my parents’ house in the formal living room, and I remember one time just picking up the guitar and it was sunny outside, and when I went to go put the guitar down it was dark. I guess I was practicing for a good few hours, but it just went by so fast.

To keep up with Tyler, follow him on Instagram, and pick up “They Won’t Stop Us Now” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.