Independent songwriter, artist and label owner Blake Tinsley has been through the highs and lows of the music industry in his time, noting career experience that most can only dream of. However, this journey was far from always positive.
In the years since going it alone, Blake grown his audience into the tens of thousands, and notes even higher figures across the streaming platforms – thanks to a level of consistency, artistry, and heart, that resounds throughout his albums and singles alike.
Most recently, Blake launched the evocative Freeway, and subsequently, the original album Lovers at The Drive In.
We caught an interview with the uniquely distinct creative, to find out more about what drives him, his creative process, his aspirations, the lessons he learned from the dark side of the music industry, and plenty more. Here’s the conversation in full.
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Hi Blake – thanks for the interview, excited to talk music with you! For those who don’t know, who or what first inspired your passion for making music?
I’ve always been in the arts via TV, films, music. Early on I would say Moulin Rouge’s soundtrack really showed me some of the greats in a format I would learn to love. That cover of greats was my first love, and then writing started once tragic moments in life occurred. Because of that I am and will always be a songwriter, with 70 songs for this next album already written waiting to be picked.
Huge congrats for the release of Freeway – a beautiful fusion of organic musicianship and contemporary production. What was the creative process like for this track, and what does it represent?
Thank you. It’s out of my wheelhouse, it was something my producer Brayden and I really thought how can we make me get out of my head and write and record about love, and Freeway was born.
It was a challenge but if I’m not challenging myself then I’m not growing, and that scares me. Like stagnant water, it’s unhealthy for me.
Given the equally organic sound of the piano on Angel Over Seas – Are you a multi-instrumentalist and a producer, or is collaboration a big part of your workflow?
Collaborating after I’ve written with my producer is huge.
Angel Over Seas actually was pre-Blayden and for someone who inspired me to fight and address the issues I personally had. Georgia has always been a huge light in my life even if we are across ponds she somehow always pops in my head when recording so I just recorded that for her as a moment of gratitudes.
Regarding the same song – How do you decide which topics to write about and express?
What I am going through, and that might be the best or worst moments. But if I can just get it out, it eases a bit of that stress. This new album is going to be, well, very different – it’s taking a year cause I’m writing about things I’ve hidden for years.
Do you think about what makes a great song when you write, or do you just write from the heart and make music that you yourself can enjoy and feel a certain healing from?
Typically I write from a word or phrase I hear and it provides motion. This comes with up and downs, I can be smiling at writing or fully broken. This Act II has songs like Arrows, Suppressed.
How have things changed for you since the release of your album Therapy?
Ironically I sought therapy. In a joke it seems ironic but it was so very needed. It’s been hard on health, mental health, addiction has geared itself to full drive, taking my life so far from what I wanted, but I have a chance to write and record something that is honest and meaningful to help just one person.
Your biography makes no secret of the fact that you were taken advantage of by a dishonest contract – what can you tell us about this experience, and how can other artists make sure to avoid the same fate in such an expansive industry?
It was a hell life. Getting accolades but barely surviving.
I tied it up in one line off the new album, “Having it all but drawing the shades cause the sun reminds me I’ll never shine while suppressed. With no body of worth but what I’m held too”
That is the reason BlakeFordMusic is for anyone who wants to make music and not worry about the label putting its 99 cents into the work.
Always have someone look at what you sign and not their lawyer.
What was it like to create your own label, and what’s been the biggest lesson this process has taught you about the music industry?
To listen to the artist – if they are at the point of breaking, listen.
Of all the pain I’ve experienced, I won’t allow others to become subjected to the same. It only makes for burnt out artists with 1 or 2 songs under their belt, and that’s it, they don’t want to create, because it’s painful at a certain point.
How does your work in filmmaking and festival organisation connect with or impact your overall view of creativity and your approach to music?
When I record and write, if I can’t see it in video or film format in my mind, I know I am not writing the song for me. It’s a creative challenge at times but it helps to a point, but now I have a great team to make sure I don’t throw away something I can’t see.
What’s your biggest ambition as an artist, and on that note, what’s your plan of action moving forward?
Ambition is to make music I would love to hear live. Heal parts of myself and others.
March 15, 2025 – I’m holding an intimate 150 show in Dallas TX. Portions of the proceeds are going to help those with Addiction and Substance Abuse.
Well Act 2 will be out part 1 of 3 in September 2025.
Is there anything else we should know?
Just I’m here. Artist wanting to be taken for their talent and not dollar signs my label is here for you. For those suffering @blakefordmusic on social media I always try and respond.
Other than that I’m just here. Can’t wait for the future.
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Download or stream Freeway. Find BlakeFordMusic on Instagram & TikTok.
