Instrumental guitarist brings solo act to East Asia
William Tyler in the official performance video of "Man in a Hurry" off his 2019 album "Goes West." Courtesy of Merge Records
By Jon Dunbar
William Tyler, an indie-folk guitarist from Nashville, Tennessee, is passing through Seoul this weekend to kick off his three-country Asian tour.
The acclaimed songwriter and instrumentalist is coming here to take his solo act through Korea, China and Vietnam.
“I am geographically open to whatever and wherever tour takes me,” he told The Korea Times. “I've always wanted to come to Seoul and very excited and honored to be doing so for the first time!”
Getting his start with the indie rock bands Lambchop and Silver Jews, he struck out on his own in 2010 at age 29, releasing “Behold the Spirit,” his first solo album, to enthusiastic critical acclaim.
His instrumental music draws from a variety of sources, ranging from folk and country to indie and dream pop, an understated acknowledgement of his musical upbringing in the U.S.' “Music City” in a songwriting family.
“I think the fact that I am from Nashville and I play acoustic guitar is going to almost guarantee that I am put in some affiliation with country music, although I feel much more of a kinship with new age and modern classical,” he said. “I grew up around country music and I have a deep love and respect for it ― I think at its best it represents the purity of sincerity in American music.”
He has since released three other full-lengths, most recently “Goes West” in January this year, signifying his move west to California. And now, he's coming to the Far East.
“I try to go into a travel experience with a sense of wonder but no expectations,” he said. “I have a fairly good sense of world history and so I am pretty familiar with Korea ― there is also as you know a large diaspora Korean community in America and so I'm also fairly aware of the culture. But coming to a place is no substitute.
“And ― sadly ― no I do not know enough about the Korean music scene. I truly love Shin Joong-hyun and Kim Jung-mi!” he added. “As far as K-pop ― I'm not necessarily a fan BUT I have a huge admiration for what BTS is doing with promoting this 'Map of the Soul!'”
Tyler plays this Friday, before leaving for China for five shows and ending the tour Aug. 18 in Vietnam.
“As far as China and Vietnam ― I think it's really important as an American artist to go out of your way and attempt to visit and understand countries and places that have been traditionally considered rivals or adversaries,” he said. “I think certain things like music, food and friendship can break down barriers and forge connection and understanding.”
The
, organized by locally run
tour exchange project Highjinkx
, costs 20,000 won in advance or 25,000 won at the door. It starts at 8 p.m. at
in western Seoul. Joining him is local
. Visit
or
for more information.