Kassi Luja
kassiluja.md@gmail.com
“Grateful.”
That’s how accomplished singer-songwriter Tyrone Wells describes the experience he’s had as a musician thus far and his ability to make a living out of something he loves.
With an ever-increasing following in San Luis Obispo — having performed at Cal Poly in years past — Wells will be performing at SLO Brewing Co. (SLO Brew) this Friday with singer-songwriter Graham Colton.
The 6-foot-4 musician describes himself as a soulful singer-songwriter who puts a lot of heart and thought into his work, he said.
Wells said while some of his music could be considered rock ‘n’ roll, some could be considered soulful.
“I think that serves me well because my fan base is really wide,” he said. “It’s high school, college students and people that like music from back in the ’70s and ’60s.”
This is a fan base that continues to grow along with the success he’s had throughout his career.
But before he began performing at various venues and getting his name out in the world, Wells grew up in Spokane, Wash., the son of a preacher man.
“When I was in high school I wanted to do music, but it wasn’t until I went to college that I was able to start, you know, more of a realistic career (out) of it,” Wells said. “All of my sisters sang but I was the first one to make a career out of it.”
No longer a rookie in the music world, Wells has played shows across the country and has released several albums, some that even held a position or two on the iTunes charts.
His album “Where We Meet” reached No. 1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter album chart (and the top 10 overall on iTunes), his album “This Love” reached No. 2 on the iTunes singer-songwriter album chart and his 2010 independently released EP “Metal & Wood” spent almost three weeks as the No. 1 iTunes singer-songwriter album.
Having gone from an independent career to signing with Universal Republic Records, to going the indie route again with his 2010 album “Metal & Wood,” Wells is happy to have had the success he’s had with that independently released album.
“It was really exciting to release (‘Metal & Wood’) independently and see it do so well because I didn’t have this big machine behind me, it was just the music,” Wells said.
Musicians don’t need a record company or the signing of a major deal to make a mark in the music world, he said.
“Like anything, it just takes hard work, dedication and learning how to really connect to an audience,” he said.
All of his hard work has paid off not only with his albums being on the iTunes album charts, but also in having his music featured on television shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” a promo for “The Bachelor” and “American Idol.”
Even with all of these accomplishments, Wells’ manager Mark Chipello said Wells isn’t a musician just looking for fame and fortune.
“He’s definitely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Chipello said. “(His music) is really more about an emotional experience a listener can have.”
Agribusiness junior Alex Beeler echoes Chipello, having been to one of Wells’ previous concerts.
“I just happened to be there after his concert was over,” Beeler said. “(He) expressed (a) genuine interest in his fans (and) stayed around until everyone was gone. He made a point of introducing himself to every single person and remember their names.”
As a performer, Beeler said Wells keeps fans entertained.
“He’s not there for show, he’s there just to enjoy himself,” she said. “It feels very personal … he’s not just here because he has to be.”
When Wells isn’t performing, he is home with his wife, Elina, and their 1-year-old daughter, Aria.
“I love being a dad,” Wells said. “(Elina and Aria have) influenced my life the most. I do get a lot of fuel for songwriting from those relationships, but I’m not someone that always writes autobiographically.”
While his wife and daughter have influenced his life, Wells has influenced the lives of his listeners.
“I feel like so many people will take away different things from a song and maybe not even what I intended,” he said. “That’s the beauty of making art. I’ve had the unbelievable experience of people telling me that they heard one of my songs right before they intended to take their own lives and it changed their mind. So you know I could never have imagined that would be something that happened in a song that (I) wrote.”
In regards to this, Wells said although he writes a hopeful song, he feels there is a lot more going on than just him; he thinks there’s something spiritual happening and he was “a catalyst, an instrument so to speak.”
Though Wells has written several songs that give hope to his fans, he has also covered well-known songs such as “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon. Whereas the Kings of Leon version is alternative rock, Wells’ version of the song is acoustic and mellow.
“I really liked (the song) and wanted to give it a different spin,” he said.
Other than his musical talent, Wells also has another talent he said fans would probably be surprised to find out about him.
“I’m a wicked pingpong player,” he said.
While he may not (currently) have a career as a master pingpong player, Wells will continue to pursue his music career with his spring tour beginning on Feb. 21 in Santa Barbara, followed by his show on Feb. 22 at SLO Brew.
“I think (the audience) can expect to just have a great experience, hear some great music … that I mean, that’s mine, but I think it’s great,” he said, laughing. “I have a lot of people tell me they leave my shows feeling really inspired and that to me is one of the highest compliments that I could receive. I think people can expect to be inspired.”
As far as the future, Wells said he would love to “have another little kid or two” and hopes to continue making music for anyone who will listen.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show can be purchased via SLO Brew’s website with general admission at $14 and $12 for students. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $16.