// ARTICLES
Forget Paris and Nicky, here's one Hilton worth talking about! Twenty-year-old Tyler Hilton, a singer/songwriter from Southern California with spunky spiky hair, and ocean deep blue eyes, defines "Big 'O Hunk of Love" -- literally. Way before the release date was even set for his debut album, The Tracks of..., this talented sweet talker was asked to fill some BIG (Blue Suede) Shoes by playing Elvis Presley in the upcoming movie Walk the Line, starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. Since he's been an Elvis fan since he can remember, Tyler is super psyched about the opportunity. "This film just has a vibe. Everyone's into it, everyone loves the music, everyone digs their character, the costumes, the hair...oh! I'll just keep saying that over and over and one of these days I'll believe [it's happening]." We believe it, Tyler, and we're certain you'll be your own King one day. Find out why!By Charli Penn
A Case of the Blues
Tyler grew up surrounded by family who wrote, performed, and recorded acoustic sounds for fun, so it's no surprise that he was reading and writing music at the early age of ten. Music was always around us, but in a fun way, we weren't like the Jacksons or anything, says Tyler. A true band geek, Tyler spent his younger years performing in the school band, and as soon as his instructor introduced swing music, Tyler marched right down to the local music store and purchased every swing CD they had. In time, his love for swing expanded to include jazz and blues. It was the vibe and soul of it that just gave me chills. Even though I'm not a blues musician in the conventional sense, if you turned me inside out or opened up my back and looked at the wiring, I'd be a blues man inside and out.>
World Traveler
Home may be where the heart is, but for Tyler, it's not where the music is. "[Southern California] is not as normal as the rest of the country," says Tyler, who didn't take long before he sought out the open road. "The day after graduation my roommates and I went to Europe with no plan, just so we could prove to ourselves that we could really do whatever we want!" Goofing around aside, Tyler carried his guitar around wherever he went in Europe, performing at local coffee shops and open mics, so his experiences overseas also provided great inspiration for his music, specifically the song "Rolling Home", one of his favorite tracks on his album.
All Mapped Out
"I really like that dark, singer/songwriter sound, but it's always so sad. Then, music that's optimistic or inspiring often steps into the corny side of town, and I didn't want that at all." So Tyler's unique style of pop was born. Since The Tracks of... is his first major release, he wants the world to really understand his own style. "The title is really short for, 'These are the tracks of Tyler Hilton,' says Tyler. "It's kind of like the table of contents for the years to come, because it touches on so many different things in my life. Ultimately, I just want [listeners] to feel an understanding when they hear my music. Goose bumps and smiles is all I'm really looking for!" Aww! If he hasn't already given you the above, then check out his debut album, in stores September 14th!
