Question 7 // Did a Backstreet Boy really get you that tattoo at 2am… in a hotel... in Japan? (feat. Tyler Burkum)

Tyler Burkum (@tylerburkum) is an internationally touring and studio guitarist (Mat Kearney, Leagues, The Cactus Blossoms, Ingrid Michaelson... just to name a few) He’s a brilliant composer/songwriter too… but I didn’t interview him because of all that nonsense. I played with Tyler a few months back and as soon as we got to talking, I knew that I needed to sit down one-on-one over beers and chat. The way this guy approaches life and thinks about things will inspire you to want to be more open to what life has to offer even if you’re not a musician. 

In this episode we talk about:
-Being cool with not being the right person for every gig
-Realizing that being present in the moment is more important than anything else
-Tyler’s experience being picked up at 17 to go on a rock tour  
-Overseas tattoo stories
-The enjoyment of traveling with music and the education of traveling the world. How it changes the way you view life and culture   
-Deciding to be someone who says yes
-Letting your mind remind your heart to ease it’s insecurities.
-the pointlessness of being competitive in music
-Producing yourself: The need to accept who you are and who you’re not. The importance of knowing what you’re NOT good at.
-What ’success’ means to Tyler
-Using social media as a musician
-Advice Tyler would give to his past self that may just change your life. (don’t compete with other people)


Tyler Quotes From The Interview:

“One thing that’s kinda cool about being in the moment is that you’re not in the past and the bad things you THINK might happen, haven’t happened yet… Instead of saying “don’t worry” say “be in the moment”

“You dont bang in a nail with a knife. it doesn’t mean the knife sucks,  it’s not the tool for the job."

“I’d rather ‘suck’ being myself than being ‘pretty good’ trying to be someone else. DON’T BE A PRETTY GOOD COPY OF SOMEBODY ELSE”


Recording Location: Indeed Brewery Tap Room, Minneapolis

Beer: Day Tripper IPA


Connect with Tyler: Social Media - @Tylerburkum


I’m so thankful that I don’t have to deal with sponsors. 

Otherwise, I would have to tell you to visit Guinness’ website HERE Otherwise, I’d be inclined to tell you that Guinness Draft (with it’s distinctive dark amber body and rich creamy head) is possibly God’s greatest gift to mankind and is the sole reason I’m thankful for being alive after it’s birth in 1759.

I’d also have to recommend that you to hire Narrate Films for your next video/film/music-video/photo booth/wedding photography/any photography needs and to visit their website HERE

Whew… so thankful I don’t need to deal with that crap. I’d feel so dirty having to tell you that this episode was sponsored by Bittercube Bitters NO WAY IN HELL am I going to tell you that Bittercube has been featured in Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food, Playboy, Imbibe Magazine, Timeout, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, GO – AirTran Inflight Magazine, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, NPR, and Daily Candy, among other publications.