Tyler Rich's deluxe album, Poppy & Iris, is out today from ONErpm. Stream it here. This LP features all of the tracks from his albums Hello California and Leaving California, plus "Cowboy Tears," "Redwood," and "Dogs Don't Die." All these songs, Rich said in an interview with Wide Open Country, are about "real life stuff that people go through." They are poignant, perceptive, authentic, and relatable. Like Rich himself.
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Music Was Always a Lively Mainstay of Rich's Youth
Rich, 39, is a native of Yuba City, California. Music-making was an integral part of his youth and family life. He said, "Any family functions growing up, whether it was a Christmas party, birthday party, any time there was a gathering on my dad's side, my uncle Tim, he was in college. I was a kid. He would show up to the house with all the guitars and all his buddies. They would just sit around and jam for hours."
A favorite song of Rich's kinfolk back then was the Garth Brooks classic, "The Dance." "It's kind of the theme song of Dad's side of the family," he recalled fondly. "Growing up around that, I respected and loved the art of music and what it can do to people."
Rich was 10 years old when he started playing the piano. Three years later, he asked for his first guitar. He launched a band in high school. "From then on," Rich said, "it was 'eyes on the prize' and how big and far can I go."
Listen to "Damn What A Woman"
This track from Leaving California is a co-write from Rich, Josh Logan, Grant Vogel, and Josh Dorr. Inspired by Rich's wife, Sabina Gadecki, it's a thoughtfully crafted ode to the way a female can upend a man's life. Rich pointed out that the theme is not crude like a catcall or a wolf whistle at a pretty lady. It's much deeper, intuitive, and primal.
Rich said. "[The song's] not 'Damn, what a woman, look at her,' It's 'Damn, what a woman can do.' As soon as she has you, you're just a puppet on her strings. You're really not in control anymore. It's a nod to that moment when you realize you're not just falling, you're already gone."
Rich Has Written Children's Books
Rich shared that the song "Dogs Don't Die" came out before his children's book of the same name. "In our family," he said, "we lost quite a few dogs growing up and I was like, 'I wish I had this song when I was a kid.'" The emotional track is a co-write from Rich, Steven Lee Olsen, and Blake Bollinger. The bittersweet lyrics include this comforting sentiment. "Dogs don't leave when they go / They live on the front porch of your mind / Yeah Man's best friend / Means until the end of time...."
The book features an interactive page at the end. Rich explained, "Dogs Don't Die is about what stays with us forever. What they leave us. You can write your name here, draw a picture of them. What do you still see, what do you still hear, what do you still smell?'"
Dogs Don't Die led to a second children's book, Leave The Wolf Wild. Rich mentioned that he has a third book for youngsters coming out as well.
His Music Heroes
Rich loves Garth Brooks. "His voice is one of my favorites of all time," Rich said. "Always been super inspiring to me. Creedence Clearwater Revival is my favorite band of all time. When I got older, I fell in love with John Mayer. His guitar playing, his stage persona, the way he interacted with fans. I'm a huge metalhead, so I would say Metallica for sure."
And which artists would Rich like to duet with? Of course, Garth Brooks. And Keith Urban. "We got to do a couple shows with him over the years," Rich said. "He brought me back into country in my 20s. He's very kind and super generous with his time. Super super genuine. When they say don't meet your heroes because you'll be disappointed, he's definitely not one of them."
Rich's Future Artistic Goals
Looking ahead, Rich said, "My goal has always been to get out on the road and tour. Keeping the guys paid, and making sure everybody feels appreciated and comfortable...keep connecting with fans [who] spread the gospel of Tyler Rich everywhere they go."
