Tye David’s debut album, MAKING MOVES, is a bold fusion of soulful R&B, funk, and pop that reflects his personal and artistic evolution. Drawing from his background in musical theatre, Tye infuses storytelling and character into his music, channeling the highs and lows of love and resilience. The album, shaped by his pandemic pivot from theatre to songwriting, showcases themes of growth, healing, and empowerment, with standout singles like “Troubled Heart” and “Superpowers” capturing raw emotions with fresh energy. Influenced by legends like Bruno Mars and Glass Animals, Tye’s journey from home-studio recordings to live performances promises an exciting future for this rising artist. We caught up with the rising artist to discuss all things music, below. . .
Your debut album ‘MAKING MOVES’ blends soulful R&B, funk, and pop. What inspired you to create a sound that mixes these genres, and how do you think they reflect your personal journey?
I love all of these styles individually and wanted to create something fresh that combines hard hitting beats, soulful vocals and funky grooves, as well as pop elements. When I first started this project a few years ago, I was in the pop world, but over time I have slowly incorporated styles from music that I love listening to.
You’ve had a successful career in musical theatre, performing on cruise ships and at theme parks worldwide. How has your theatrical background influenced your approach to songwriting and performing music?
Theatre has been the single most formative part of my life, and it has engrained in me a sense of storytelling and of creating a “character” that I can use whenever I am performing. It has also helped a lot with my confidence. If you are younger and at all interested in music, take some acting classes and audition for shows.
The album’s debut single, “troubled heart,” touches on the theme of new love. How did you capture the emotions of hope and healing in this track, and why was it important for you to explore this theme?
Most of the songs deal with relationships in my life, and the highs and lows of those experiences. There is no stronger emotion than falling in love (other than heartbreak) and one thing that I discovered when forming a new connection with someone is how it can help heal the wounds from past heartbreak. I wanted to capture that specific feeling.
Your latest single, “superpowers,” explores resilience after love is lost. How do you think this song ties into the overall arc of ‘MAKING MOVES’, and what message do you hope listeners take away from it?
On the flip side, I also discovered that sometimes when your heart breaks, it can be put back together stronger than before and open new doors for you. It can literally give you new powers, a new sense of strength that you can carry with you. I hope people will feel that duality, of being sad and lost, but also allowing that to unlock something new and powerful within you.
You mentioned that writing ‘MAKING MOVES’ has been transformative for you. Can you share a specific moment during the creation of the album that was particularly meaningful or eye-opening in your personal journey?
I have always struggled with lack of motivation and putting things off. During the writing process for this album, I found a renewed passion and determination to get shit done. Hence, why I named the title track “making moves” because it’s me showing the world that I am here and ready for business.
The pandemic played a role in your shift from musical theatre to creating original music. How did that period of isolation and introspection shape the way you approach music and storytelling today?
I lost alot of work in 2020, and the future was very uncertain. I even considered leaving the theatre world altogether, because it did not feel sustainable. Thankfully, much of it has come roaring back, but the experience taught me that I needed to develop my other passions. I also just had a lot of extra time to commit to writing and learning how to produce.
The album features co-production by Ervin Matthew Harris and Reid Smith. How did their contributions elevate your home-studio recordings, and what was the collaborative process like?
Most of the songs started as instrumental tracks created by Ervin. His sense of style and rhythm was really the genesis of everything, as I started writing lyrics and then bringing in Reid to further develop the sound. All of the vocals were recorded in my home studio, but the collaboration was done remotely most of the time.
Your music has been compared to artists like Bruno Mars and Glass Animals. Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how do they impact the sound and themes of ‘MAKING MOVES’?
That’s a huge huge compliment! I think vocally I take alot from Bruno, as well as other R&B artists like Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, George Michael. I also love the experimental sounds of Glass Animals and how they mix R&B beats with rock and other styles.
The title ‘MAKING MOVES’ suggests a sense of progression and change. How do you think this album represents your growth as an artist and person, and what’s next for you in your musical journey?
The person and artist I am today is fully shaped by the process of making this album. It is the entire journey from me venturing into a new world in 2020, to finally releasing an album and kicking off my career as an artist. I plan to build on that momentum, and there are a couple new projects in the works for this year. Stay tuned!
Fans are eager to hear the fresh and authentic voice you bring to the scene. What can listeners expect from you live, and how do you approach connecting with your audience during performances?
I just did my first two gigs recently, here in my hometown Kansas City, and it was a strange and informative experience. I am still learning how to connect with an audience outside of the theatre world, it’s similar but also not at the same time. I do think that performing these songs in a live setting gives them new life and allows people to really feel the vibe, which I hope to explore further this year.
Find Tye David: Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music
