A Chat with Tryingtogetby (12.08.22)
Bringing the raw power of punk to the masses, Tryingtogetby is the brainchild of “punk nomad” Tyler Miller. We speak with this US-based artist about his album Curse of a Tongue, bad movies and future plans.
OSR: What drew you to music?
Tryingtogetby: I grew up in a small country town and didn’t have much perspective to the outside world beyond that. Music opened a world to me like books do to people with longer attention spans than me.
OSR: What do you feel is unique about your sound?
Tryingtogetby: I’m trying to capture my favourite things that I’ve captured from my favourite artists ranging across genres from stage presence to lyrical content. I’m a terrible singer with a lot to say?
OSR: Does your album Curse of a Tongue have any theme or backstory?
Tryingtogetby: I wrote everything except ‘Just Be’ during the pandemic while getting sober (medical reasons) and recovering from my body shutting down from too much stress, drinking and other vices.
OSR: What do you absolutely love about being a musician?
Tryingtogetby: Meeting new inspiring people every day.
OSR: What do you absolutely hate about being a musician?
Tryingtogetby: Meeting new terrible people every day.
OSR: What does Curse of a Tongue mean to you?
Tryingtogetby: We all have the choice to keep our mouth shut, but that can heavily be influenced by emotion. The “curse” of a tongue is me referring to how we change the world around us for the better or for the worse once we speak how we feel. The curse is that emotions usually win that over.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Curse of the Tongue, what would it be and why?
Tryingtogetby: If I had more cash for mixing and stuff, I’d love to add more songs. I paid for these songs by fixing guitar amps and donating plasma.
OSR: What’s something you wish you’d figured out sooner?
Tryingtogetby: Self-worth.
OSR: What’s the worst move you have ever watched and why was it bad?
Tryintogetby: I wouldn’t say worst to imply that it was badly made but The Greasy Strangler holds a greasy stain on my heart.
OSR: What are your future plans for Tryingtogetby?
Tryingtogetby: Cover EP in October. Tour in November. I’m keeping quiet ’til 2021!
Many thanks to Tyler Miller for speaking with us. For more from Tryingtogetby check out his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
