Ty Brasel was born in Memphis, TN, where he grew up at the intersection of East Memphis & Olive Branch, MS. This area, referred to by locals as “Memphissippi,” is where Ty first recognized his passion for music. Ty’s upbringing in the “Bible belt” had him well acquainted with religion and church at a young age. However, Ty chose a path that lead him down a road of substance abuse and crime. “I️ began selling & using drugs and ventured deep into this dangerous lifestyle as a means to search for identity,” he says. After an encounter with God following his senior year of high school, Ty decided to change his ways and began a new spiritual journey. He enrolled into college at Ole Miss and started a hip-hop group with a friend.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey Ty Brasel, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
It’s a pleasure, thanks for having me. Ive always been drawn to music since a young age. I always felt like an outsider and somewhat misunderstood, and music has always felt like an escape for me. It’s a way for me to process the things I‘m feeling inside but don’t know how to say or express in words.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
It is surely one of the most difficult parts of my career. I don’t have a huge team, so I’m usually the one fulfilling most of my commitments. It can lead to burnout at times trying to keep everyone pleased, but I try to do my best to prioritize and keep the ball rolling. I think it helps to take time to rest and spend time on mental well being.
Your latest release is 'TRANSCENDENT'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
We spent years trying to craft the perfect soundscape for this album, and we definitely had to do a lot of trial and error. The most unusual thing about it for me was that we made a whole album and decided we didn’t think it was good enough, so we then pretty much started from scratch and that’s where the actual transcendent album came from. That was a tough process, but very rewarding.
Where did you get the inspiration for this album?
It was a reflection of the true stories unfolding in my life at the time that we were working on it. I was searching my heart and mind, trying to be honest and vulnerable in hopes to help someone that might be dealing with similar things and try to help them along their journey.
How long did you work on the 'TRANSCENDENT'? Was it an easy process for you?
From the time we starting working on it until the time it actually came out was around 3 years total. It definitely was not easy but once we found the right direction for it, the path to finishing became a lot clearer. I am very big on details and can be somewhat of a perfectionist, so that didn’t make the process any quicker, but I’m very proud of how it turned out.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Every time I sit down to write a song I try to encode a message in it that will leave listeners feeling inspired & hopeful. I have personally overcome some extremely tough times in my life, and I know how hard it can be to keep going at times, so I always want to try to help the listener feel seen and heard, and try to help them along their life journey. That’s a top priority for me.
What interests or hobbies do you have outside of music?
I love to play sports, it’s a fun way to exercise and it keeps me active and competitive. I always love watching documentaries and hearing other people’s stories. I learn a lot that way.
How do you find yourself in the music business? When you started out in music, did you know it would be like this?
It started out as just making music for fun as a way to express myself and have fun with friends. I think as time went on, I realized that I actually had a true gift for music and wanted to pursue it as a career. I also felt a spiritual calling to use music as a way of healing for myself and others. I had big dreams initially, but I had no idea how many amazing opportunities and accomplishments I would get to be a part of. It has been a real blessing.
How do you nurture your own creativity?
I try to take time off weekly from creating to stay inspired in life, whether that be spending time in nature or watching films, or even spending time with my friends and family and pets. I try to do whatever I can to stay invigorated with life so that I have fresh content on my heart.
What are your plans for the future?
I hope to continue growing and evolving as a person and as an artist. I think if I do the work to keep getting better in every area, that everything else will line up and fall into place. I would also love to get back on the road soon and begin touring again. I’m excited for all that’s to come in 2023.