Conversations with Cale Tyson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cale Tyson.

Hi Cale, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Cleburne, Texas, and grew up in Fort Worth. At 19, I moved to Nashville to pursue music as a singer-songwriter, focusing primarily on classic country. During my time there, I toured internationally and released three full-length albums and four EPs.

In 2019, I moved to Los Angeles to explore a more stripped-down, folk-oriented sound that felt closer to the music I connected with growing up. My songwriting shifted toward storytelling and away from some of the familiar heartbreak clichés of traditional country. During the pandemic, I released a record called Okay and have continued putting out singles in that same spirit. In 2024, I performed at festivals including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and Summerfest.

In early 2025, I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, which had likely been affecting my career for years without me realizing what was happening. The condition causes fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and other symptoms that have made making music much more difficult. Despite that, I recorded a full-length album in 2025 and have released several singles from it that reflect on my diagnosis and my search for both solutions and acceptance.

Alongside music, I’ve been exploring other creative outlets. I make surreal ceramic vases—what I call “holy vases”—through my company Ojala. I also shoot a lot of 35mm film photography and published a book in 2023 titled Some Memories Are Only Thoughts, which pairs my photographs with daily reflections written on hotel stationery while on the road.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most artists, there were the early struggles of trying to build a career—moving to a new city at 19, touring constantly, and navigating an industry that can be unpredictable and difficult to sustain yourself in. There were long periods of uncertainty, financial instability, and the pressure to keep creating while also trying to figure out where I fit musically.

A much bigger challenge came more recently with my health. In early 2025, I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder that causes fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and balance issues. Looking back, it had likely been affecting me for years before I knew what it was. For someone whose life and work revolve around music, it’s been incredibly difficult—there are days when hearing changes suddenly, or when vertigo makes it hard to function normally, let alone perform or record.

At the same time, the experience has also reshaped my creative process. I’ve had to slow down and adapt, but it’s pushed me to write more honestly about what I’m going through. Even while dealing with the condition, I was able to record a full-length album in 2025, and much of that music reflects the uncertainty, frustration, and search for acceptance that comes with living with Meniere’s disease.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m primarily a singer-songwriter, and my work centers around storytelling through music. I started out writing more traditional country songs, but over time my sound evolved into something more stripped-down and folk-leaning. The common thread in my work has always been narrative—trying to write songs that feel honest, human, and rooted in real experiences rather than relying on clichés. I also tend to approach songwriting with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. I like looking at things through a funny lens, even when the subject matter is heavy—sometimes you have to laugh so you don’t cry. That sensibility tends to show up not only in my lyrics but in my creative work in general.

Outside of music, I’ve explored other creative outlets that feel connected to that same storytelling instinct. I create surreal ceramic pieces—what I call “holy vases”—through my company Ojala, and I’m also a 35mm film photographer. In 2023, I published a book titled Some Memories Are Only Thoughts, which pairs my film photographs with daily reflections written on hotel stationery while touring.

What I’m most proud of is the ability to keep creating and evolving even when circumstances change. Being diagnosed with Meniere’s disease in 2025 introduced a new set of challenges, especially as someone whose work depends so much on hearing.

I think what sets me apart is that my work across different mediums—music, photography, ceramics—comes from the same place. It’s all about documenting life as it happens, finding meaning in the strange or difficult parts of it, and sometimes finding the humor in it too.

How do you define success?
I define success as not quitting. Creativity seems like a lost cause most of the time. If you can still create without worrying about the outcome, then that’s success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caletyson.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caletysonmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@caletysonmusic
• Other: https://caletyson.bandcamp.com

Image Credits
Paul Yem
Reto Sterchi
Conie Suarez Bravo
Jacob Boll