He especially admired the purity of those untouched expanses after a snowfall.
“It was nice just to be able to see out across this landscape and have just kind of a spiritual awareness of how small you are,” Burkhart says. At the same time, he realized how much impact his environment was having on him.
Now nostalgic for his time on the farm, Burkhart often uses those memories to make music.
Despite an impressive repertoire — 20 albums uploaded to his Bandcamp page since 2012 — Burkhart didn’t begin writing music seriously until he was in his early 20s.
Graduating from Hempfield High School in 2007, he took a year off to figure out his next move. He attended HACC sporadically before studying social work at Millersville University, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
During this transitional period, Burkhart wrote music, using a microphone his brother Clark gave him. He had played piano and guitar throughout his youth, hobbies encouraged by his musically inclined parents.
“I think it was just kind of a way to find my voice and figure out a little more about who I was as a person,” Burkhart says.
While he is not on the farm anymore, his environment is still of utmost importance to how he creates.
Burkhart self-records all of his music in his Lancaster city bedroom. And he embraces what others may perceive as imperfections when they seep into his recordings.
“I love music that sounds honest,” Burkhart says. “I like when I hear a song and I can hear a door shutting or something in the background. It feels like you’re in the room with that person, and they’re sharing this with you.”
Burkhart’s music is often described as lo-fi dream pop. He often utilizes his experience from years of classical guitar lessons with Lancaster instructor Rob Perlis.
“He was very gentle and introspective and creative,” Perlis says of his student.
“When I was listening to some of his songs, I can hear a lot of those influences: classical influences, and we touched on open string voicings,” Perlis says.
Burkhart says he goes back and forth between instruments and styles when creating music.
“I have a heart for classical music and softer acoustic music, but I also enjoy putting together the full band stuff,” Burkhart says.
Burkhart began performing his music with a full band in the summer of 2015. Now, his band consists of his brother Clark Burkhart on drums and friends Anthony Galati and Derek Riley on bass and guitar, respectively.
Interest in Burkhart’s music picked up after an unknown YouTube user uploaded “Just How I Love You,” a song from his September album, “Marianne.” The video has more than 94,000 plays.
“That was wild,” Burkhart says. “I started getting emails from people in other countries too, and that just, like, that was really moving to me, that people could connect to just the stuff that I was sharing.”
Burkhart worked with U.K. label Hail Hail Records to release cassette tapes overseas. But, he’s deeply appreciative of the music community in his own backyard.
“It’s a very independent kind of community, and it’s tightknit,” Burkhart says.
Burkhart frequently works on new music, dedicating two to six hours every week to improving his craft when he’s not on the job as a case worker.
“I’ve always experienced life through the lens of music,” Burkhart says.
“So now, to be able to contribute to that world and write from a personal place and then to hear that people can relate to it — that’s something that I really value.”
tylerburkhart.bandcamp.com/
Helter Skelter
Tyler Burkhart Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I guess it's part of dealing with growing up
I've got this heart of a child and mind of a man
It seems like a long day that never ends it's alright
I got a roadblock somewhere in my brain
I make it twenty days and then I fall on my face
I feel like such a fool, yea I feel so naive
Ain't that right?
Sometimes I'm blue when the day finally ends
I watch the sun go down and i think of my friends
And I know I'm still broken in a number of ways
But I think there's something special in embracing your pain
It's alright
Ain't that right?
The lyrics to Tyler Burkhart's "Helter Skelter" are reflective of the struggles and challenges that come with growing up. He acknowledges that he has a childlike heart and a mature mind, but that sometimes it feels like the day never ends. He also recognizes that there is a roadblock in his brain and that he often falls on his face, feeling foolish and naive. However, he remains hopeful that relief will come soon.
The second part of the song shifts to a more reflective tone, as Tyler speaks about feeling blue and broken in many ways. He watches the sunset and thinks of his friends, but also acknowledges that there is something special about embracing one's pain. Through these lyrics, Tyler captures the complex emotions and struggles of growing up, striving for maturity while still facing the challenges and obstacles that come with life.
Overall, the song is a powerful and relatable message about the journey of growing up, acknowledging the difficulties and challenges while striving for growth and maturity. It is a raw and honest representation of the struggles of coming of age.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not a matter of what I want
I don't always get what I want
I guess it's part of dealing with growing up
I accept that as I mature, there are things I must face
I've got this heart of a child and mind of a man
I have the innocence of a child and the wisdom of an adult
It seems like a long day that never ends it's alright
Sometimes the day feels endless, but that's okay
I got a roadblock somewhere in my brain
There's a mental obstacle in my mind
I make it twenty days and then I fall on my face
I can only keep going for so long before I stumble and falter
I feel like such a fool, yea I feel so naive
I feel foolish and inexperienced
But i know some day soon I'm gonna find some relief
Despite the struggle, I believe there will be relief in the future
Ain't that right?
Isn't that true?
Sometimes I'm blue when the day finally ends
I sometimes feel sad at the end of the day
I watch the sun go down and i think of my friends
As the day ends, I think about my friends
And I know I'm still broken in a number of ways
I acknowledge that I'm still not fully whole
But I think there's something special in embracing your pain
I believe there's something valuable in accepting and learning from pain
It's alright
Everything is okay
Ain't that right?
Isn't that true?
Contributed by Connor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matheus Domingues
Maravilha esse sábado com essa música!!!! :)
m u s a d
🌚
Luisa C
Thank you so much for uploading this song, it's my favourite from this album
Giulia Longoni
I have been liking this artist more and more. Thanks for uploading their works!
Curtis Cunningham
as soon as i saw your profile pic knew i wasnt alone being a massive stone roses and oasis fan who also digs this kinda music!
Giulia Longoni
Ahaha you're not alone, mate! Just keep listening to both of them and you'll always find someone who's into their music like crazy! Long live madchester! xo
Estrella
Love it!
Kyle Ely
Your uploads are so constant and constantly great.
ThatOneMuffin
Absolutely dreamy
E BIkes & Guitars
Gooooooood shit manee