We had the privilege of sitting down with Tyler Miller, the artist behind the mesmerizing debut album, SOPHIA. As he takes us behind the scenes of his musical journey, we’ll uncover the passion, dedication, and creativity that shaped this release. Enjoy!

Thanks for being with us today and congrats on the release of your debut album, SOPHIA! Tell us about some of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into this release.

This album has consumed my life for a really long time. I’ve been working on SOPHIA day in and day out for the last 3 years. I’m really grateful to have been able to create a project that I’m proud of, and I’m very excited to put it out and see how people respond to it.

How does this latest release differ from 2020’s single ‘Divine’?

In creating SOPHIA, I developed a sound that represents who I am as an artist. I wrote Divine when I was 17. I’ve grown a lot since then. SOPHIA is a representation of that evolution.

I read that the album took three years to create and release—it’s been the whole of your artist journey so far (and it’s an intoxicating album, so congratulations!) Could you share some insights into the themes and inspirations that guided you throughout the three-year process of creating this album?

Thematically, the album is about growth. It’s a reflection on the complexities of my internalized emotions. Musically, my biggest inspirations for this album were Blonde by Frank Ocean and Dopamine by Julius Black.

As you said, you’ve been compared to acts like Frank Ocean and Brent Faiyaz, but you really do have a very distinctive sound that sets you apart from others in the music scene. How did you go about developing the “Tyler Miller” sound, and what were the key elements you aimed to incorporate into your music?

I resonate with artists who prioritize their creativity and quality of sound above anything else. I wanted to create a sound that makes people feel something. It took a lot of guessing and checking, but I think we did just that in the creation of SOPHIA.

One thing I really admire is how hardworking you are. Even though you’re in the early stages of your career you seem to treat it with the respect and hustle it needs to thrive, and this is evident in your stream numbers (over 82k on “Divine” and over 34k on “Don’t Mind.”) Is this how you’ve always approached things and how have you seen it help your growth?

I will always give 100% effort when it comes to my artistry. I refuse to put something out that I am not happy with and excited about. I’m a perfectionist. It’s a blessing and a curse, but at the end of the day I’m grateful for it.

This is also evident on your social media, which boasts an incredibly engaged, active following, something a lot of artists can struggle with. What advice would you give indie artists who feel like they don’t know what to post or can’t seem to garner that same interaction?

There is a very fine line between not posting enough and posting too much. This is something I am always working on. I want to keep my followers engaged, but not annoy them with an overdose of content.

My advice would be to remember that even on Instagram and TikTok, you’re promoting your art. Keep it authentic. Don’t chase the viral moment. If you love the content you’re putting out, odds are somebody else will too.

Opening the “Nights” music festival in Brooklyn and performing alongside renowned NYC acts must have been incredible experiences. Not to mention your SoFar Sounds performance! How do you prepare yourself for such high-profile performances, and what do you hope to convey to your audience during these moments?

Every performance is an opportunity for me to get better. No matter how much you prepare for it, it’ll always feel different when you get on stage in front of all those people. I want to always be evolving as a performer. Over the course of the next year, I plan to perform as much as I possibly can.

SOPHIA not only represents your personal growth but also invites listeners into a space of self-reflection. Can you discuss some of the personal and emotional aspects of the album that you believe will resonate deeply with your audience?

The album is all about reflection and growth. I would like to think that everybody who listens can resonate with that in some way, shape, or form. “Sophia” means “wisdom” in Greek. For me, the project is a translation of my raw emotions. SWITCH and OBLIVION are odes to a younger version of myself. SHINING is a story of unrequited love. Every song on this album stemmed from moments in my life. The thought is that people will be able to relate the stories I tell in SOPHIA to moments in their own lives.

I grew with this album over the last three years. Listening to SOPHIA brings me a lot of nostalgia and hope. It really means something to me. My hope is that it will resonate with people in the way it has with me.

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7tD6cGrcNPMfUl71KlFdBI?si=eDGWyi-EROGqLfWzKMoikA&nd=1 

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tyler-miller/1462874948 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ty1ermiller 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ty1ermiller/?hl=en 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ty1ermiller 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylermiller183 

 

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