Meet Tyler Porterfield

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tyler Porterfield. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tyler, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Growing up, I faced struggles that shaped who I am today. In the face of adversity, I found solace in something deeply personal and powerful—music. It was never just a hobby; it was a gift that connected me to something greater than myself and it became a part of my identity.

Music became my way of connecting with others. As I grew older, I began to see it not just as an art form but as a means for helping, healing and inspiring. I wanted to do more with it than just play for myself and my friends. I wanted to use my gift to help others. This desire to serve and connect through music became the core of my purpose.

Moving to Los Angeles was the next step in this journey. My goal was to adapt and meet people from all walks of life. A natural inclination many successful songwriters have. There’s some importance to understand life in a broader perspective for the sake of connecting with your audience.
I started volunteering at local events, performing at a handful of charity concerts, and engaging with other musicians who shared the same desire to make a difference.

Music has a way of breaking barriers and connecting people. It was through all these experiences that I realized my purpose: to use music as a platform for influence for change, grow as an individual and to build relationships.

As my understanding of how my role in the music community deepened, I took it one step further by starting an indie label. This wasn’t just about business or making records—it was about using music as a vehicle to contribute to society. The label became a way to give back to the community that had given so much to me, to provide opportunities for other artists who shared my vision and to amplify voices that needed to be heard.

Through ups and downs, I came to understand that my purpose wasn’t something I had to search for—it was something that unfolded as I followed my passion for music, my desire to help and my commitment to connecting.

Today, I don’t just see myself as a musician, booking agent or label owner; I see myself as someone who uses music to bring people together and works to contribute in meaningful ways. That is where my purpose lies.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Lately, my focus has been on my journey as an artist. For years, I’ve been a solo acoustic singer-songwriter in Los Angeles. My indie label, Pop Cautious Records, was the main priority after its launch and it’s been incredibly rewarding helping other artists develop and collaborate. Watching albums come to life will always be an amazing experience.

From the start, Pop Cautious Records worked with a variety of small venues. Curating lineups and hosting showcases quickly became something I truly enjoyed. Between cutting vinyl, organizing shows and managing artists; I’ve had my hands full. However, it’s been worth it.

Eventually, the incredible opportunity to book shows on the Sunset Strip at one of LA’s most iconic venues arose. It’s been an exciting ride and I genuinely feel like I’ve been living the dream.

Being surrounded by bands all the time has inspired me to get serious about forming my own. It’s taken some time, but I’ve finally found a fantastic group of musicians who back me. With the full band sound, we are able to perform at larger venues.

We’re moving from being an opening act to headlining our own shows, which is both thrilling and humbling.

Right now, I’m working on my first full-length LP, which highlights my love for blending genres in my songwriting. You can hear a shift from the earlier indie folk and garage rock sound on the 2016 self-titled EP, ‘Pop Cautious’. The latest single release, “Two Weeks” is heavily influenced by reggae music. After meeting and writing music with the late black pop producer/song-writer and keyboardist, Gordon DeWitty, I decided to experiment with more urban styles in my sound. You can hear reggae, soul, latin, jazz, folk and even some hip hop/metal tendencies on the forthcoming debut album. Still somehow living under the alt/indie rock umbrella as far as the dominant genre and production style. I’m eager to share the songs this year! Have decided the album will unfold in single releases overtime.

Booking has also become a full-time focus, supporting both my journey as an artist and the label.

I’ve teamed up with several professional companies to accelerate the launch of a series of compilation albums, with proceeds going to various causes. The first of these will be the ‘Los Angeles Wildfire Benefit Album’, which is especially close to my heart. Many of my friends and fellow artists were affected by the devastating fires and I want to do everything I can to help.

Music has the power to connect, heal and inspire. We organized a benefit show to further support those impacted. I’m performing for the cause, as well.

In early January 2025, Pop Cautious Collective was born, expanding the reach of the Pop Cautious brand. We’re excited to release new merch this year and explore more cross-marketing opportunities.

Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much growth has happened, especially as my network continues to expand. I’m deeply grateful to work with so many talented people who are turning dreams and visions into reality.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’d say the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are: networking, the ability to handle rejection and staying true to an artistic vision.

Building meaningful relationships has been key—it’s not just about knowing the right people, but about creating genuine connections that can lead to real opportunities. Rejection has been another big part of the process. It’s something everyone faces, but I’ve learned not to take it personally. Rejection isn’t a reflection of your talent; it’s often just about timing or circumstances, so I’ve used it as motivation to keep pushing forward. Above all, staying true to my artistic vision has been essential. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or outside opinions, but what has always kept me grounded is remembering why I started and what makes my work unique. For those just starting out, my advice is simple: focus on building real relationships, not just contacts, because those connections will be your support system. Don’t let rejection get you down—take it as a learning experience and keep going. And always, always trust your vision and stay authentic to your art.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

We’re excited to connect with artists who are actively releasing music, touring/playing shows and fully dedicated to their careers. In the past, I’ve had the opportunity to help develop artists from the ground up. Now, my focus is on supporting their growth and helping them access new opportunities. We’re also increasing our efforts to showcase artists through our website and social media platforms.

If you’re an artist interested in submitting your music, you can do so via our partner song submission platform, Groover. Simply visit the contact page on popcautiousrecords.com for a direct link to our page on Groover.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Cindy Porterfield, Liam Garritty, Katherine Syhanath

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