Life & Work with Tyler Halkett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyler Halkett.

Hi Tyler, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In my previous interview with CanvasRebel, I shared my journey into the music industry as an engineer and producer. Today, I’d love to talk about my recent move to Los Angeles, my expanded role as an artist, and my engineering and producing work. This February, I relocated to Los Angeles, driven more by a lifestyle choice than purely by career ambitions—though the vibrant music scene here certainly played a significant role. My decision was primarily motivated by my desire to enhance my family’s lifestyle. We wanted to immerse ourselves in an environment that resonated with our values and interests, surrounded by the people, places, sounds, and aesthetics that felt like home. Being in Los Angeles means being at the heart of an incredibly talented and skilled community of musicians, producers, and artists. For someone like me, who thrives on collaboration, this city is the perfect place to be.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the studio, the possibilities are endless. I don’t think of my journey as hard because I genuinely love the process of becoming great. My team and I set ambitious goals and milestones but view every challenge as a valuable learning experience. Each tough moment is another opportunity to grow and improve for the next session.

Thanks. What else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in engineering, producing, and songwriting. Audio engineering is my “first language,” my most vital and longest-standing skill set. However, my writing and production skills are catching up quickly. In engineering, I’m known for my obsession with clarity and quality. I believe in the importance of both studio hardware gear and modern plugins. Having a great source makes the recording and mixing process much more manageable. In production, I’m recognized for my quickness, decision-making, arranging, and concepts. I draw much inspiration from music creators like Terrace Martin, James Fauntleroy, Ant Clemons, Mike Summers, and Justus West—people who wear multiple hats in the studio and whose work I greatly admire. What I am most proud of will always be my artist group, whatwedoin?. We are a collective of many producers, musicians, and vocalists, but it’s primarily made up of Saxy Maxy, Pheelgood, and myself, “The Sundbender.”

What’s next?
The plans are always to keep growing Whatwedoin? Our team general, Pheelgood, always says, “I’m in this for the long game,” meaning we don’t chase the current trends to gain temporary popularity. If we stay true to ourselves and create art that feels right, it will pay off in the long run. I’ve been working closely with a new (to me) artist out of Toronto, Canada, named JSAL. We recently released a new song called “Be Invincible” and have some exciting new songs and a project together. Moving out to LA, I am super excited to work with some incredible artists around the city. Los Angeles is a hub of creativity and talent, and I look forward to collaborating with new artists and exploring the vibrant music scene here. The energy and inspiration from being in such a dynamic environment are unparalleled, and I can’t wait to see what we create together.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soundbenders_studio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoundBender/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@soundbendersstudio550

Image Credits
Erik Branom @erikbranom