Welcome to a special installment of the Truth in His Art from Artscape 40. I am your host Rob Lee, and this episode is brought to you by our sponsors, Verizon and Crust by Mac. Today, I have a special guest returning to the podcast. Not only is he a fellow Aquarian, he's a dynamic artist, composer, curator who's left a lasting mark on Baltimore's music scene. He will be performing on the north of north stage today and his talent and vision are unparalleled.
Rob Lee:His impact has been felt across the community. So without much further ado, please welcome the extraordinary, John Tyler. Welcome to the podcast.
John Tyler:Man, it's so good to be back. It's incredible to see you do that live because all of our interviews has been virtual thus far. So to see that live was it was iconic. I'm gonna save that in my mind forever.
Rob Lee:Look, some people have said, look, I'm gonna snip this beginning. That's just gonna be my ringtone. I was like, you're so make ringtones? So I gave, you know, some details about you, and we're here at Artscape. So I wanna start off by giving you, if anything that I missed, giving you the space to to introduce yourself and and share with us, like, one of those, like, really early summer related art experiences.
Rob Lee:So if you will, please. Oh,
John Tyler:a really early summer
Rob Lee:Yeah.
John Tyler:Art experience, just in general?
Rob Lee:Yeah. Like, you know, we're we're here. It's August where we're recording this, and I find, like, you always see something, either you go into music festivals, you're seeing, like, outside art, like like like ArtScape, for instance. But what's something art or creative creativity related that you recall from the summer?
John Tyler:First thing that came to mind, I remember being, like, really young. This is the very first thing that came to mind and the kids in my neighborhood. I'm from Hose Heights, and we always used to make up games. And there was this game we created called FreedomBox, which I haven't seen anyone else play. Yeah.
John Tyler:And we used to do that in the summertime, and then the ice cream man used to come down our block before they robbed him, and he stopped coming. And we used to get, you know, snow cones and a bunch of things. And that, when I think of summer, like, that question, I immediately brought back to that memory. And I haven't really thought about that in a long, long time.
Rob Lee:So you had ice cream?
John Tyler:Yeah. Yeah.
Rob Lee:And and give us sort of the the intro, because I know, like, in the last year, you've had some you know, it's always each year, there's always a new milestone. It's like you're doing the main missions and you're doing side missions. So give us that intro because I gave you know, the one that sounds cool, I suppose, but I know I'm missing something. So give us that intro, please.
John Tyler:Yeah. I suppose I am a, touring artist, composer. I write I write music for, you know, commercials and movies and documentaries, and, I won an an Emmy, which is a big thing, which I need to talk about, but I don't really bring that up a lot. But that's that's definitely a crazy milestone, and, you know, I got to work with a lot of big companies like Under Armour and Oreos, and kind of beat a bridge Yeah. For artists and other curators to kind of be in those spaces, especially black folks.
John Tyler:And I'm just a person who likes to change the world through sound.
Rob Lee:Yeah.
John Tyler:You know, whether that's through performances, whether that's through creating it, you know, creating music, whether that's through collaboration and, you know, just being with the people banging drums. I'm just I just, you know, love community and sounds.
Rob Lee:Because I because I always, when and thank you. When I when I talk to people and I mention I'm talking to you, 1, they they light up, and 2, it's just like, you know, when I say I'm talking to John, I'm like, yeah, you know, multi instrumentalist. I I do that. I say that because, you know, I always respect people who do multiple things. I think that's an Aquarius tree.
Rob Lee:For sure. So, you know, if you will if you were to summarize it in sort of a very succinct way, this is a question that I've been asking a lot of folks. What is your art? And it feels deep, right? It does.
Rob Lee:Yeah, yeah.
John Tyler:It does. My art, if I were to summarize it across all the things I do, is kind of being a director and bringing things together. So, you know, music wise, as a producer, we have a actually, I guess I'll announce it now, my festival has a community album coming, and kind of being the person bringing these different artists together. And it has artists across the world, like there's artists from Brazil, artists from London, artists from here, LA, and kind of being a person directing things and bringing things together, and, you know, making a cohesive storyline. Just a person who just really just brings things together.
John Tyler:Then on the curation side, of course, with the festival, you know, having local business folks there, you know, performing artists, visual artists, other community organizations, whether that's bike party, runners run, the National Aquarium. Yeah. Yeah. Just bringing a bunch of things together. So I I think I hope that summarizes it.
Rob Lee:No. No. I've been I I had a conversation at the beginning of this arc with, Michelle from Big Improv, and we were joking about being, strategists. And I think that that's a trait, you know.
John Tyler:It is a trait.
Rob Lee:It's there. It's just like you and I, we had a few long conversations during these, this time during on Artscape. So Yeah. Yeah. You you get you get a deeper sense of of Rob outside of the context of of doing these interviews.
Rob Lee:And I think being on this side of it, you know, being involved with with Artscape in this way, both of us, I think, it's a different like, in previous and I'll get your take, but previously, almost previously on x men, but previously, I've been involved as a attendee. And this is the first time being involved in sort of an archiver, sort of performer, and behind the scenes, my pass is all access. So I'm accessing things. So talk about how you're involved in Artscape 40, this milestone year, and sort of what your previous experience was and how this one perhaps this experience perhaps differs from previous experiences with Artscape.
John Tyler:Yeah. For sure. So I guess now on day 1 of Friday, the second, I believe, I was really involved with kind of being a shadow and helping with management, and seeing how the entire flow of Artscape is, and being part of every single department that manages. This is a lot of moving parts, and I got to see how things are, how they run things and how they solve problems, because there was a lot of problems from the stage being put in the wrong area, to the rain, to the person who's supposed to set up parking, and not doing that, and having to figure out the parking situation for staff and artists last minute.
Rob Lee:Yeah.
John Tyler:And that was like an incredible, you know, process to see, because my last time attending RSK had to have been probably like 2018, because, you know, they were shut down, the pandemic. In 2019, I think I was somewhere else. And being there as an attendee, you would never know these issues that's happening. Right. You know, what people are dealing with behind the scenes, so I have an amazing experience.
John Tyler:So being on the other side of that, and seeing all the things to make things go great has been a very interesting and, you know, movement experience, because, you know, our skate has like 50,000 plus people who come out throughout the weekend. And I guess on the other side of it, as an artist, because I am performing today. I was gonna say tomorrow. Dang. That went by fast.
John Tyler:It's very interesting to see, you know, how because before when I performed the ArtScape was back that was back in 2017. They had us on the grass in front of the Mica Brown Center building. Yeah. Wasn't really a thing. Horrible PA system, and, you know, now I'm with, like, you know, their production crew and, you know, all the all the things, and I feel like a major artist.
Rob Lee:No. And and that's that's a good distinction. I think a few things that I heard there is, like, being sort of behind the curtain and being having that perspective of being in front of the curtain or on the stage. Yeah. It gives you different perspectives and sort of all the work that goes into it, and putting on a production is no easy feat.
Rob Lee:So there's not. And you have the background of, 1, collaborating with multiple people, you know, as far as your own work goes, your own festival goes, your own curation goes. But also seeing this, it gives a new perspective and I would imagine, appreciation for the effort and the moving parts that go in to to something like this. And and I'm I'm really fortunate that we're able to chat before you go on stage, and I think you wanted the latter performances rapping and closing everything down. Yeah.
Rob Lee:So when folks are leaving, like, Artscape 40, they have the, the the John Tyler essence. They got they got they got that that that that sin on them. It's like, I'm headed back. You know, I'm I'm dipped in the the Tyler essence. And so how in it and being involved from, you know, the operation standpoint and, you know, kind of wrapping up everything with the performance standpoint, how are you able to navigate those responsibilities?
Rob Lee:Because I remember on Friday, you were running hair, you know, on fire. Like, I gotta get here. I gotta get here. This needs to happen. And definitely behind the scenes in the production of things and operations of things, rather.
Rob Lee:And then you just hear, boop, boop, boop, boop, just music happening outside. Everything is going well. So so talk about balancing those responsibilities of prepping for your performance, you know, doing it and all of the things you need to do for your yourself as a performer while being in operations and supporting the behind the house, if you will, behind the scenes. Yeah.
John Tyler:Indeed. You know, I actually I was supposed to come yesterday. Sure. And I actually just decided not to come, because I was like, you know, I'm closing the show on this stage at the North, North, North stage. I haven't really practiced guitar all week, because I was helping with this, and then we also have a big festival next week with the Oreos and Waterfront Partnership.
John Tyler:And I'm like the main person running everything, so I've kind of been booked by that, and by the time the end of the day comes, I'm like, I don't even wanna, you know, cry. I just wanna lay down, relax, shower, do nothing. Yeah. So then, you know, yesterday came, and I was like, you know what? Today is, I need to take off this curation hat, and just be the artist, and kind of, like, really, you know, lock in, make sure I'm set.
John Tyler:Because I want to make sure it's a great performance, and it's something that's memorable in a positive way. Yeah. And to be ready for that, because discovery doesn't get old. Yeah. So I also, you know, people who don't know me, who's going to see me, because there's going to be a lot of folks there I'm sure that's not going to know me.
John Tyler:I want to leave a really amazing impression, and stamp on folks.
Rob Lee:And that's a really good point, which leads into sort of this this next question. And before I even get to it, I'll say sort of the standards. Right? Yeah. Of like, you know and we we talked about this the other day, having a standard for how you operate.
Rob Lee:And, you know, in in many instances, you're sharing those stages. Here in performing, you're sharing this sort of capacity in space. 1, you're in front of your neighbors. You're in front of your people. So they're like, yo, that's kinda mid, bro.
Rob Lee:So you're like, I gotta turn it up a little bit, and you gotta show out a little bit. But then also you're on a stage with sort of your peers, and they're like, alright. You you weren't you weren't prepared at all this week, bro. So it's that iron sharp start sharpening to iron thing. And as you you touched on, it's like discoverability.
Rob Lee:It's like people see you and it's like, oh, wow. You know, Shazam or or whatever. Let me look this dude up and let me see what was happening. And I think, you know, sort of being in an artscape stage, especially if it's the main stage or even lake, you know, north to north where you're gonna be at, Station North is one of those integral parts to sort of this arts and culture community, I think. I mean, where this podcast was born at was born in that neighborhood.
Rob Lee:Like, literally, 2 blocks down from the stage you're gonna be performing on.
John Tyler:So That's incredible.
Rob Lee:Yeah. So what role do you think, like, Artsgate plays in, like, sort of shaping and contributing to Baltimore's identity as a, like, quote, unquote, music city?
John Tyler:Oh, that's that's a heavy question. That's a heavy question because I remember coming up in the city as a musician, and being part of the scenes, a lot of local folks did not rock with Artscape in the music scene. Yeah. Because they weren't really, you know, doing their due diligence of putting artists on. And actually, this is part of why we started Lovegroove Yeah.
John Tyler:Was because of that, and also with the politics with with Afram, and the other local festivals that was happening. I was booking artists from DC and New York and LA, but like, yo, we have a whole pot of folks who are amazing here. So now over the years, seeing them grow into really involving into, local folks, from not even just the music, the podcast, you've been on the podcast, and you look at the Art Scape schedule, and you see all the different, venues they collaborate with now, and all the different, you know, music scenes, whether that's, I think at the UB Blake, they're having a hip hop cipher with EZ Jackson. And I saw another thing of the indie rock music on Charles Street. Yeah.
John Tyler:I think it's becoming a big culture hub of showcasing what, you know, we are as a city from different scenes, and not just the the club, the club side, which I know is a staple and very important.
Rob Lee:Yeah.
John Tyler:But there's a lot of different sounds and spaces that happens here that's not, you know, talked about on a major loved one. I think now they're getting really good at that.
Rob Lee:Yeah. I I agree. I I think there has been this this notion, this sentiment, because we do this this blend, and literally, I was having this conversation and being here on location where, you know, Mount Royal Station, you know, being here and getting behind the scenes and talking to folks either right before or right after they've gotten on stage, you know, getting that sense of like, yo, who's performing? What's it looking like? And it's like, oh, that's my cousin.
Rob Lee:That person from East Baltimore. That person from it's like, oh, it's, like, 90% like Baltimore related acts that are on that stage, whereas it didn't always feel that way. Yeah. And I feel like it's more of, emphasis on showing sort of that concentrated local amount of talent that we have here, and that's been a trajectory and shift towards that that that programming. And I think there is sort of this other thing that happens where we're we're looking at you know, you have your headliners.
Rob Lee:You have, like, folks who aren't necessarily Baltimore artists per se, but maybe have been here, maybe have a relationship here, and be have performed here at Artsgate in the past. And they're coming back as bringing some sort of regional, if not national attention
John Tyler:Mhmm.
Rob Lee:To get eyes on sort of the local talent as well. Exactly. And so I think that that that that's a beneficial thing.
John Tyler:I agree. I agree. I think they're doing it in a really great, positive way, in a way that I'm I'm trying to get to. But the National Act, they'd be pricey, boy.
Rob Lee:Well, they're they're, you know, they're bringing in more eyes and ears. Indeed. Indeed. But, yeah, I I think really giving giving attention to what we have here because I think what we have here is excellent. And a lot of times, it's like you you get that extra energy.
Rob Lee:It's like folks are like, man, I don't know. I'm on for an hour's day. I gotta I gotta do this. I gotta show out. So from from your perspective, since we're we're kinda talking about, you know, sort of what it was and sort of what that shift looks like and, you know, bringing in that blend of national, and sort of those headliner acts with, you know, the cash of local acts that we have here.
Rob Lee:What are, in your opinion, from your perspective, what are the defining characteristics of Baltimore Arts and Culture?
John Tyler:Oh, the defining characteristics. Because everyone
Rob Lee:has their their perspectives around. I've heard the DIY thing. I've heard, man, it's so eclectic. And it's, like, cool. So getting, like, sort of that overall perspective, I think, is important.
Rob Lee:And you are a curator. You do so many different things.
John Tyler:It's going
Rob Lee:to be very interesting to hear your take.
John Tyler:Yeah. I mean, to expand on that, I would say experimental, because, a lot of people here push boundaries, you know, and whatever their genre is, it's a lot of boundary pushing, and of course the DIY, you know, using the resources you have, recording. Like, a lot of things come out very unique cause a lot of folks don't have access to the proper avenues to produce, you know, the best high quality, Beyonce like work.
Rob Lee:Yeah. In terms
John Tyler:of quality, not like her sound. Yeah. I would say we're very vogacious. Okay. I feel like that's a juicy word.
John Tyler:It is a juicy word. That's one
Rob Lee:of those, like, SAT prep joints. Yeah. The bodacious John Tyler. Yes.
John Tyler:That's my new name. Put it on, like, a t shirt now. I'm a sell merch with that.
Rob Lee:No. You can show that. But but I think I think you're right that, you know, I I think when folks get that opportunity to you know, they're putting in a network, and they're figuring out a lane that's very much theirs. You know? And then they're able to maybe go to a larger stage and be around, as you said, the aforementioned 50,000 plus people.
Rob Lee:You're having the prospect of showing this and getting those collaborative opportunities, those networking opportunities. Yeah. Maybe a few streams or what have you that kind of bumps up that when that cool collaboration comes up or that opportunity to get that new piece of gear comes up, you know, it's just like, oh, like, I know for myself. I'm an independent podcast producer. Yeah.
Rob Lee:And there are folks that, by virtue of being here, they weren't scheduled for interviews. By virtue of being here, I was able to grab an interview with them. And it's like, oh, you're kind of a big person. How did I get you? And, I mean, obviously, and then leveraging sort of relationships that I have.
Rob Lee:You've been on here 2 times already and able to get you in this capacity. Like you said, this is the first time we did it in the same room together. Yeah. And this is the first time getting it, like, when you got that pre performance aura kind of going on.
John Tyler:Like, hey. I'm just waiting for you
Rob Lee:to swing a guitar from around your shoulder. I'm like,
John Tyler:alright, John. It's coming. It's coming.
Rob Lee:So this is this is sort of the the the last question that I have for you before I boom to the rapid fire. Even this podcast gets to rapid fire. I'm excited for it. So in your opinion, what is the most significant impact that that artsgate, you know, has as far as, like, the the local community in both creatively and culturally. And I'm saying that from this perspective.
Rob Lee:You you touched on it that, you know, it was gone for a couple of years. It came back like like last year, and this year, it's the 40th installment. And this is like that milestone year. And, you know, I noticed at times, it was kind of like almost a bit. It was like, I guess, our escape's too hot.
Rob Lee:I don't wanna go and this and that. Almost like it was a hassle, but it's something about being here in this capacity and being able to have conversations like this. It feels culturally and creatively significant. It seems like everyone has this energy of, I wanna see what they got. Because obviously, you know, we've we've dealt with weather, this year and less.
Rob Lee:And it just seems like, you know, that Baltimore resiliency is there. But what what is your take on sort of the cultural and creative significance of of of ops game?
John Tyler:Yeah. 1 and 1 and and this is kind of behind the scenes. I think it's really significant on how much they trusted us, because I I've met a lot of folks on their team, and, a lot of folks who from who I met aren't from here, or they don't live here. And the fact that it still feels very, you know, us is incredible. And the fact that they, you know most Most folks do not put their money into the locals anywhere.
John Tyler:So the fact that the city, and BOPA, and all of those just took a chance. It was like, Let's let them do their thing, I think is incredible. And I really find that very significant. Because as someone who's seen nothing happen for, like, my entire life to now see this, you know, change is is, like, really, really, incredible. I don't know if that's the direction you want me to go in, but seeing you know, just being a part of the behind the scenes, like, I I just find that very significant.
Rob Lee:Yeah. And and I think I'll append to it, you know, as we wrap up in this portion before the rapid fire, is that you you touched on it also of we at a point, you, me, Larry Woodup, we're all sitting at the table chopping it up. Yeah. In this capacity, it's the first time I've been involved. And, you know, Larry's mister Artscape will have you doing his, like, 40 days of Artscape.
Rob Lee:And then you're crushing it, and you were doing your sort of your own festival. And we're all brought here, all Baltimoreans. Yeah. All have been on the podcast. I don't know if that had anything to do with it.
Rob Lee:But, you know, sort of all coming together in that acknowledgment of yeah. I feel like we're here now. I think that that sort of, you know, that that that connective thing. Like, wow. They reached out to me this time.
Rob Lee:They reached out to this person to do this. And seeing folks that I that I know, I've seen a lot of people that I know. It wasn't like I'm in a room filled with sort of strangers. Like, what what do you do again? Facts.
Rob Lee:And so the I think that's I think to the point, it feels very much like a Baltimore thing, this year, especially in this sort of milestone year.
John Tyler:Yeah. I 100% agree. Like, I even, reconnected with my, neighbor, Pancho, who has a band called Knock Knock. Oh, yeah. Growing up, I used to, you know, he was known as the, like, the whimsical, you know, kinda goofy neighbor.
John Tyler:He always had, like, what what did they call it? Where you connected to your pants, the straps?
Rob Lee:Oh, like the, overall joints?
John Tyler:Not overalls, but Suspenders. Suspenders. Yeah. He always had the suspenders on, and always had he had, like, a big base in his window. And I've never seen him play until Friday, and we was just chopping it up, and I got to hear his whole career.
John Tyler:And then running into Muggle Queen. Well, I actually played with, I just now I'm just remembering.
Rob Lee:Yeah.
John Tyler:I did Artscape with her in 2019, actually.
Rob Lee:Okay. Yeah. Yeah.
John Tyler:I was her guitar player. So I mistakenly I said I wasn't here in 2019 early in the podcast, but I just remember I was here, actually, because I performed with her. And if I haven't seen her in, like, 2 to 3 years and, you know, me and DJ Quicksilver and all the folks, like, it it it was literally barf more in here. Yeah. Yeah.
John Tyler:For sure.
Rob Lee:And I and I think you you feel it, and that's that's the thing I'll I'll say to sort of, sum that up. I think really kudos as far as the the behind the scenes, the the the re the outreach and show the the intent in programming, all of that good stuff, because, as I said, we're here. Yeah. So let me move into the rapid fire portion. Fire.
Rob Lee:And as I I I said, you know, as I always say rather, don't wanna overthink these.
John Tyler:Okay.
Rob Lee:I won't. Alright. So here's the first one. What is the most inspiring thing about, like, Artscape? Specifically this one, specifically Artscape 40.
John Tyler:Me. I really love the art installations, and, this is this is the curator John Tyler speaking. The art installations, the, you know, the animals that they build, the giant art scape sculptures, I love how everything flows. It it really inspires to me of what I want to take my festival and what I want it to be, and where I want it to grow to. Looking at how everything is set up, the layout, lately I've been really into learning about branding, and, you know, I got to talk to the person who did the designs for everything, who did the stage design, the sculptures, the shirts, the flyers, the programming, all of that, and how it's like a cohesive brand.
John Tyler:Yeah. Watching that is really it really inspired me to, like, really get on my game and how to make a cohesive brand. But yeah. I know that's kinda No. No.
John Tyler:No. Unique and random, but
Rob Lee:No. The brand the branding's really tight this year too. I'll say that, I love the color scheme. I love this sort of layout. Exactly.
Rob Lee:And I'm like, yo, what can I give them them pillows at? Like
John Tyler:Exactly. I'm saying. You got someone else? I want one.
Rob Lee:And this is the last thing I got for you. And this is more macroly speaking is, you know, you've attended, you performed before, and you're here at this milestone, RSCAPE 40. What is, in your opinion, the most uniquely Baltimore experience you've had in your time at Artscape? Like, we see different things. Sometimes it's like, oh, there's people are, like, you know, like, going at it, like dancing, you know, in the middle of, like, Charles Street.
Rob Lee:It's like, yo, is that? We're like, what are they what are they doing? Is that hurtful? What are what are
John Tyler:Yeah. There was, I walked past an artist, I didn't stay, but it felt like, back when I was young, like like 12, 13, there was like a club called Docs.
Rob Lee:Oh, the product. Yeah.
John Tyler:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And there was like a I walked past this artist performing and how the DJ was yelling.
John Tyler:It felt like it felt like 2012, you know, 20 13, like that era of the scene and the music that was playing, through the streets and through the clubs. Yeah, that, I had a lot of nostalgia. I didn't stay for it because I had somewhere to be, but I had a lot of nostalgia from, you know, that era. It's it's the feeling. Yeah.
John Tyler:Over 10, 10 years ago. It's the feeling. You you you
Rob Lee:pass a thing, you're like, I know that, what, what? And I've seen that there's been those those instances and those attempts by having, you know, as we as we said earlier, having sort of us here Yeah. It's it's like folks are like, well, this is what I'm interested in. I'm interested in sharing, you know, sort of our stories on this stage, and let's do this sort of history of club music thing. Let's bring that back.
Rob Lee:And having many of the folks who were founders of that in different stages throughout, it's just like, oh, man. Let's take it back. Yeah. And and that feels really good.
John Tyler:Indeed. So
Rob Lee:those last moments, well, there are 2 things I wanna do. I wanna thank you for coming on and spending some time with me doing this busy artscape weekend.
John Tyler:Thank you.
Rob Lee:And, 2, I wanna invite and encourage you to share with the folks, where to check you out on the socials.
John Tyler:Yes. Thank you for that. You can check me out at John Tyler Sounds, and that's across, you know, x, which is crazy Twitter. Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn. When they went LinkedIn?
John Tyler:I just made one. I was told that's where business gets done, so I was like, alright. I'll see. That's true. Yeah.
John Tyler:Yeah. And it's true, because I actually messaged the, the vice president the line. So
Rob Lee:He said, I know the John Tyler, I
John Tyler:have his last outfit, and he said, I am John Tyler. So, yeah. And you can also follow Love Groove at Love Groove Fest across everything too, and you also visit jontyler sounds.com.
Rob Lee:And there you have it, folks. I wanna again thank John Tyler for coming on to the podcast and sharing a bit of his experience and insights at Artscape 40, as well as my presenting sponsors, Crust by Mac and Verizon, for making this possible. So I'm Rob Lee saying that there's art, culture, and community in and around your neck of the woods. You've just gotta look for it.
