Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Tyler Shaw

From performing on the JUNO stage to releasing several chart-climbing hits, Platinum-selling artist and producer Tyler Shaw has taken the industry by storm. But for the Chinese-Canadian songwriter, it’s about embracing all that life has to offer and channeling it into his development and growth as an artist.

Earlier this year, Tyler became a new father, shared a powerful message about self-identity, and dropped his latest single: “Be Like You“.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to catch up with Tyler about all these exciting milestones and the release of his third studio album.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Tyler: There were a few different things. My mom was a piano teacher, so there was always music in the house. There was always a piano in the house, but she didn’t teach me or anything. She was a mom to me; I didn’t want her to be a piano teacher. She didn’t want to be the teacher; she wanted to be the mom. But I also remember my brother joined the school band in his middle school and started playing the drums. I thought that was the coolest sh-t ever. I was like, “I want to be like my older brother. I want to do music like him.”

That made it easy to explore different instruments, so I started playing. The drums were my first instrument. Because there was a piano in the house, I started playing more on the keys. I picked up the guitar and started going with that, too. All that happened within a few years. I taught myself these instruments. Then, I started writing songs as early as thirteen years old, and I’ve been writing ever since.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career, either personally or professionally?
Tyler: Personally, my family and friends—my mom in particular. She’s always been such a believer in me. My mother and grandmother both have had a tremendous impact on my life. That’s important because of how hard the music industry is and how hard a dream like this is to attain and take hold of. To have that belief system was very, very important to me.

I have such a wide range of musical influences. I was listening to Nickelback, Rage Against the Machine, John Mayer, Michael Bublé, everything under the spectrum. Whether I realize it or not, they inspired me in a way where I still feel like, “Oh, that reminds me of this band back when I listened to Thirty Seconds to Mars,” or something like that. It’s funny how it still sticks with you in the subconscious.

PC: You’ve had tons of success throughout your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Tyler: There are so many. The whole journey has been incredible. A few highlights would be touring with Selena Gomez, which was an awesome experience, playing on the Juno stage, which is like the Grammys, but in Canada, and having my records go platinum. There are so many to think about, but those are the ones that came to the top of my mind.

PC: You’ve steadily been releasing music throughout the years. If you had to pick one song that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
Tyler: The thing about artistry, in my opinion, is that it’s always changing, right? Currently, if you listen to “North Star”, or even the newest one, “Be Like You”, I think those two represent where I’m at right now. But if you were asking me this question three or four years ago, I would have said, “Probably ‘Wicked’ or a song called ‘Yesterday’.” As a person and artist, you’re always evolving. You’re always trying to better yourself and learn as much as you can. That really affects the way I write and create music.

PC: Speaking of “Be Like You”, can you tell us about the single and the inspiration behind it?
Tyler: This was a story that has been lingering in my subconscious for a while. I’ve been through the situation where you’re trying to get over someone, but that person has already moved on. You’re like, “Well, fu-k. My heart is still broken. Why can’t your heart be broken? I want to be like that. I want to do what you’re doing.”

That was a weird one where it was digging up an old, old relationship. When my buddy Sam and I were writing it, we were throwing ideas back and forth. We had something to relate to because he’s also been through that situation. It was a relatable story; I feel like a lot of people can relate to that type of story.

PC: You recently became a father. How has fatherhood impacted your artistry and craft?
Tyler: It has in all aspects. It’s touched on every single part of my life. Even when we found out that we were expecting, which was last year, everything changed. My mind changed, a huge shift in the way I thought completely changed. It’s like I wanted to be a better person for her. I wanted to make the world a better place for her. It made me want to be the best version of myself. That being said, it’s like you want to work even harder, so you try that much more for the right feels in melodies, production, all that stuff. It’s happier, which is great.

PC: If your daughter wanted to follow in your footsteps, what advice would you give her?
Tyler: Trust yourself—easier said than done. Trust yourself. Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

PC: You recently shared a really powerful post on Instagram about self-identity. Can you tell us a little bit about your own personal journey, and what made you decide to post that on social media?
Tyler: It wasn’t until recently, probably a few months before this whole movement, that I started thinking about my childhood and my experience with racism as a half-Asian. It was very interesting. Growing up, the majority of people were White in my neighborhood and school system. I didn’t have people like me. I knew no other half-Asians in my school district. I knew no other half-Asians in my community. I had no half-Asian friends. All my friends were White. I was lost, stuck in limbo being like, “I know I’m Chinese, but I know I’m White, too.”

I didn’t know where I fit in. I wanted to explore more of that Chinese culture, but at that age, because of the stigmatism of Asian racism, it was very difficult and embarrassing to be like, “I’m Asian. I’m proud of that.” Thinking back, retrospectively, I’m like, “That’s sh-tty.” You have to be proud of where you come from and proud of the culture. I am now. I dive into it every day. I’m in love with it.

PC: What does it mean to you to pave the way for this next generation and for a community that wants to see themselves represented in mainstream media? Does that add any pressure?
Tyler: It honestly doesn’t because I’m focused on what I’m doing and the fact that what I’m doing is what I love doing. I’m doing music. I get to release music. Doing that creates opportunities for half-Asians, people like me, or Asians in general. It gives them someone to look up to, which I didn’t have. I want to be that person. I don’t feel any added pressure by doing that. I’m comfortable talking about it. Like I said, what it comes down to is that I’m following my dreams. I’m doing what I love. I’m trying to inspire positivity, peace, and love. I’m just being me. There’s no added pressure.

PC: You’re getting ready to release a third album. How will this next body of work differentiate itself from your previous releases?
Tyler: Like I mentioned before, it’s all about growth. It’s all about the experiences you have between album cycles, and the difference between the third album and the first and second album is that I’m a more creative, better person today than I was three or four years ago when the last album came out because you’re growing. You’re going through these different experiences. You’re getting to know yourself more.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Tyler: I don’t know if people know this band, but they’re called Mayday Parade. They’re what I used to listen to in middle school, but I still listen to them now. They’re a punk-rock, alternative, indie band, so that might be interesting, but I listen to a lot of rap as well, especially when I’m working out. I couldn’t name a specific artist for you, though. [laughs]

PC: First album you bought?
Tyler: First album I ever bought was Silver Side by Nickelback. I know there’s going to be some controversy with that because you either hate them or you love them. They did great things for me back in the day. I’m a fan.

PC: First concert you attended?
Tyler: Sum 41.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Tyler: I have to say Michael Bublé. I can’t remember what the album is called, but it had “Everything” on it. It changed my life because that CD taught me how to sing. I put it on every chance I could. I would sing to it over and over again. My family was sick of me, I’m sure.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Tyler: Wembley in London.

PC: A must-have on the road?
Tyler: Alcohol. [laughs] Whiskey is a must.

To keep up with Tyler, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Pick up or stream “Be Like You” today.

Photo Credit: Young Astronauts