‘2AM’ is the smashing new single from Utah-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Richard Tyler Epperson. Detailing a once-good relationship that has turned sour, Epperson pulls you into his sonically dreamy and synthy world – and then provides a storytelling masterclass to match. Where did this relationship go wrong? A question that, no doubt, many of us have asked ourselves too. The song is just another superb example of the musician’s long-standing knack for creating catchy yet meaningful tunes, made all the more impressive by his experimental and unconventional methods.
‘2AM’ is Epperson’s third release that will form part of his upcoming fourth (yes, fourth) album entitled A Wandering Mind. The project has been described as his “most vivid and vibration to date”, and is scheduled to be released at the end of 2022. We at Indie Top 39 will be waiting with bated breath to hear it!
Experimental, nostalgic, and dripping in synthy-goodness, ‘2AM’ is just what the doctor ordered!
INDIE TOP 39
What does the song mean to you?
It’s a very personal song. The song has a lot of built-up emotion and meaning that I was finally able to express and let out. In some songs, you just create stories and words that fit the sound. This one, each word had depth/meaning to me as a person and not just as a songwriter. The song experiments with different sounds and uses different recording techniques and really sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Tell us about your creative process and how the song came to be.
My writing approach to this project has been completely different from my last 3. The first big change was how I wrote the melodies. In the past, I usually sit with a guitar and write the whole song as one. This time it was different. A lot of the music was recorded first before I had any idea of what the melody would be. After getting some chords and instruments tracked and the overall feel to the songs, I would just play it back, hit record and start throwing out random tunes/words. I was just trying to have the melodies be natural and not forced.
Another big difference with this project is I re-wrote almost all these songs multiple times. I don’t usually do that. I started to really zone into each song and tried to give every part meaning. The last main thing was the editing and moulding of the songs. I tried to really limit any dead space within the song and have them under 4 mins if I could without losing anything. I’m very pound of the collection of songs, and I think each is unique while the album still maintains the cohesiveness sound.
What are your favourite lyrics in the song?
“I’m saying things just to piss you off When has love not been enough or kind You got me feeling so heated You got my pride defeated Like only you could do”
What would your life be like without music?
I know the answer to this. I released 2 albums in the past, was playing shows and just basically growing into my life as a musician. Unfortunately, I had some life events that forced me to stop pursuing my dream of music. I tried for a few years to get going again, but something always came up and stopped any momentum I had. It got to the point where I would not even listen to music, I didn’t pick up my guitar for over a year. It was all just too painful. It really just made me too sad. It took a lot to finally break through and get back to writing/recording again.
So, to answer the question, my life without music…. feels empty.
Make sure to connect with Richard Tyler Epperson on Instagram » Facebook
Now you can listen to all the 39 songs in one place, right here on Spotify!
