Tyler Brooker is an incredible musician, having recently released his song Knuclebuster, to rapturous applause. If you’ve not heard his music yet, this is the perfect chance to see what all the fuss is about – you can find a stream at the end of this interview!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a single titled Knuclebuster What can you tell us about the track?
Knuclebuster is a high-energy big room EDM track designed to knock your socks off with massive call-and-response synth sounds, a classic festival-style breakdown and some emotion-enhancing vocals, sung by me. I also cut some vocal samples from a Knife Party track, who have been one of my biggest inspirations since 2013. I used a DAW called Mixcraft 9 to produce it, which I have been using for several years now.
How has the reception to Knuclebuster been so far, and where can the song be purchased?
The reception for the track has been great – it has had many positive reviews and features online, which I am extremely grateful for. It can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, Deezer and can be purchased on iTunes.
What can you tell us about that track? Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
It was at this point that I wanted to begin releasing my music onto labels to bring more exposure to myself, as I had previously been releasing my material independently via DistroKid. Afterpresent Records accepted this track, and it is now on their network. I have since released other tracks onto a variety of labels, such as my release I Wanna Know on Cracking Records, Rest on Starix Productions and Shivers on Beast Trap Records. I have a few tracks being released in January 2023, including a collaboration with Dekcr, a brilliant producer who I have worked with before, and they all top Knuclebuster in their own way.
Do you plan to release an EP or an album anytime soon?
Right now I am mainly focusing on singles, though at some point I might have to sneak another EP into the discography.
Did the pandemic hinder your work much?
I was still studying my third year of Computer Science at the University of East Anglia during the pandemic, and I would still continue to work in my room on music the same way as I did back home in Suffolk. It was unfortunate that I couldn’t use the studio space at this time, however many artists I spoke to and collaborated with at the time were online and not at my uni, so I was okay.
Your music contains elements of several EDM genres. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
I have several main influences; Nom de Strip, an electro-house artist who no longer releases new music; Steve Void, a slap house artist, Knife Party, David Guetta, KSHMR, Skrillex and Martin Garrix, to name a few. Right now I’m really getting into slap house. It’s such a simplistic and minimal style yet has such a bouncy and vibe-y energy!
What is the writing and recording process like for you?
I start by listening to music that inspires me – I cannot begin making anything if I don’t have any ideas. I’ll start by creating a beat and mixing it a little, then create an interesting drop sound with all the core elements like bass, leads, plucks, etc. I’ll then work on the structure and move everything around, occasionally sharing what I’ve got with fellow producers to get their opinions, mix any vocals, FX, master – and then boom, it’s done!
Where are you based? What is the music scene like in your part of the world?
I was born in Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk and have lived here my whole live, though I will be briefly moving to Canada soon, which is incredibly exciting. There haven’t been many local artists like myself from Suffolk in the UK, especially not EDM artists, so it’s always an honour to be featured and interviewed on local radio shows such as BBC Essex in 2019 and BBC Suffolk in 2021. Sometimes it feels a little alien as many people in my area don’t listen to my style of music, but that doesn’t stop my family and friends from supporting me, plus the brilliant people I meet online.
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Right now, not yet, but I hope to start DJ’ing in bars or clubs when I’m in Canada, so maybe I’ll continue when I return home.
Any last words for the fans?
HUGE shoutout to Charlie, Ed and everyone at the UEA Music Recording & Production Society, it’s great to see the society is still growing after helping to create it and teach in it, and a huge thank you to everyone who’s been streaming the music recently! I’ll see you all soon!