We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tyler, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Over the last 15 years of being a studio musician, I have picked up a lot about what it means to be a producer and mix engineer. Putting those things into practice is another thing altogether though! When you are the one tasked with turning an idea into something complete, you have to not only know how to navigate all of the fine details of making a piece of music, but also the relationships and the talents of the people you’re working with. I don’t believe there is a way to expedite this part of the job. You really have to put in the hours and gain the experience of working with many different types of people, under deadlines, and face a lot of trial and error. It really is a constant learning experience.

I think one the most essential skills of a music producer is their ability to remain somewhat objective, and separate themselves from the work in order to see it more clearly. SO MUCH of what I do is subjective, and it is important to understand where subjectivity and objectivity have roles in making music.

My biggest obstacle is allowing things to take the time they need to take to be the best they can be. It is crucial to take breaks and come back to a project with a fresh perspective! But when there are things in a piece of music that are bothering you, it can be a challenge to walk away from them, even for a walk around the block. I’ve forced myself through editing so many times, only to find that what I really needed was to give my brain and my ears a rest.

Tyler, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Tyler Martin. I’m a music producer and mix engineer in Dallas, Texas. I started playing guitar in 1998, but didn’t get into production until 2020, Throughout my music career I’ve always been passionate about more than just guitar, and it has been a very freeing experience to broaden my skills beyond my first instrument.
Now I’m able to not only track guitar, but produce, engineer, and mix full tracks for artists. My main genres are pop, country, indie rock, Americana, and singer-songwriter, but I also love making instrumental ambient and synth-based electronic music. This year I launched the Neon Cowboy Studio, which is located in my home in East Dallas. I’m grateful and proud to have a space where I can create with people who are local, as well as remotely for virtually anyone else.
Something I’d like potential clients to know is that I am very open-minded when it comes to music, and I’m always eager to explore new sonic territory!

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think a huge way people can support creatives is simply by talking about them more, sharing their content, and speaking up when they see or hear something they like. So much of a creative’s work is consumed online now, especially in the music industry, because that is where everyone is at. The industry is super saturated, but there are tons of amazing artists who are struggling to make themselves known. If you’re someone who is into art of any kind, participate! Talk about artists you’ve recently discovered or re-discovered. Share your favorite local artists with your friends. Go to shows! And if you really want to make a difference, buy what the artist is selling directly from them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

This is something that has changed for me since I shifted from being solely a player into production. I used to love playing shows and being on a loud stage, and I still do to some extent. But now my favorite thing about making music is the making itself. Every new song is a journey, and I love the experience of turning ideas into reality. There are always surprises and accidents that, to me, are what really make this an art form. You can never really predict the outcome, and that’s what keeps me doing it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @neoncowboystudio

Image Credits

Emma Martin
Jordan Thibeaux