Tyler Jamieson (Synthesis of Self)

Where are you from?

I'm Tyler and I'm from Auckland.

‍

Was there music around you when you were growing up / how?

‍

When I was growing up there wasn't much music around me to be honest. Both of my parents would be the first to tell you that there is not a musical bone in their body. I had to find my own way to it.

‍

When did you start making music? How has the music you make changed over time?

‍

I started making music at about 12 years old. I used to enjoy making punk and rock influenced music but my tastes changed over time as anyone's do. I made melodic hardcore music for a long time and these days I really enjoy writing metalcore and I'm getting started in jazz and electronic music as well.

‍

Did you participate in Smokefreerockquest? If so, how was that experience for you? 

‍

When I did Rockquest back in the day it was good fun. My band at the time Stacked did pretty well, we got to the national finals a couple years in a row which was a bonus. It was good to have something to work towards and as an opportunity to play live before you start getting gigs or setting them up yourself. Rockquest exposed us to the people who would put us on our first shows.

‍

Do you have any advice for this year's Smokefree Rockquest participants, or young musicians in general?

‍

To those participating in Rockquest I would say to just have fun with it. Just be authentic and play some music you think is cool because at the end of the day the Rockquest judges don't have any sort of authority over the quality of your music. Doing well in Rockquest is like doing well in primary school, it's great if it happens but it's far from a deciding factor in the trajectory of your musical journey. It's a formative experience nonetheless and will connect you with other people passionate about music. Be in it for the love of it and if playing shows outside of Rockquest is a goal of yours, look for other people who feel the same and make it happen. DIY shows are the best way to get started. 

‍

You have played on some major stages and had some great media coverage of projects you've been involved in... is there any part of your musical journey that stands out as particularly special / a favourite moment?

‍

A particularly special moment of mine from my musical journey so far is standing on stage at Grey Lynn Library Hall with around 350 people packed into it with people yelling my lyrics back at me. This was a DIY show that we had made happen with some friends of ours in other bands and it was a very cool night.

‍

When you're writing, what do you start with? What is your process from beginning to end?

‍

When writing I usually start with guitar. It often comes to me just from playing around on the neck until something sticks out at me. Sometimes I'll record voice notes of me basically beatboxing riff ideas into my phone and I'll try to recreate what I was thinking as best I can on guitar. I'll then program temporary drums and scratch bass before the rest of the band comes along and puts their spin on things. I've been trying to get out of my comfort zone with writing recently though, starting from a different place or trying new things is a great way to write because you never really know what you'll get.

‍

How do you choose what songs to release?

‍

So far it's just been the songs that we play live. All of our songs that we've released we wrote in highschool and have been playing them for years. We generally just picked out favourites, whatever we were most proud of.

‍

What are two things you have learnt along your journey, that you would tell yourself if you could go back in time?

‍

One thing I'd tell myself if I could go back in time is just stick out the rough patches and don't give up. Everyone goes through slumps sometimes and especially when you're starting out with anything you're going to make a lot of stuff you're unhappy with before you start making things you're really proud of. It's all a learning process and you're only going to get better at anything you do by doing it.

The second thing I'd say is to go easy on myself. Give yourself some grace because you can't be at your peak 100% of the time. If things aren't going your way at some time just take a step back and maybe take a rest and come back to it refreshed

‍