Ballet dancer and musician? I know that sounds like a strange oxymoron, but it is real life for Jesse Tyler, who besides being a ballet dancer in the Atlanta Ballet, is also a singer/songwriter who with his own group The Neighbors (also featuring fellow dancer Christian Clark) has played around town with with other local bands and artists (e.g. JoyScout, Sweet Tea Project, Paul Warner, Gareth Asher). He joined us for our 5GB series before his late show at Eddie’s Attic.
What’s the first gig you ever attended?
My parents took me to see James Taylor every year of my childhood, even before I was conscious. My first gig that I got to choose was The Wallflowers (also my first cassette I purchased) and The Counting Crows when I was 9.
What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?
I bought a $50 guitar when I was three years old with money that I saved from selling cotton ball snowman Christmas ornaments. The best gig I ever played was coming home with that guitar that night and putting on a show for my family, I had found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was also really in the zone that night. It was a really cool vibe.
What is the best gig you have ever seen?
When I had just moved to Atlanta my friend Christian took me to see a band called Ours.The frontman, Jimmy Gnecco, was more connected to the music than I had ever witnessed someone being, and his voice was not just in my ears, it was moving through me. Music was no longer music after that, it was my religion.
What is the gig you would most like to play?
It doesn’t really matter where it is, as long as I have an appreciative audience, its a dream gig for me.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
I like the guys I’m playing with now. So them and maybe add Justin Vernon from Bon Iver, Ray Lamontagne, and Will Boos. And Jesus. That would be a killer band.
Catch Jesse Tyler, Sept. 21st @ Eddie’s Attic
