Americana Folk Rock Artist Tyler Mullendore Releases Emotional Single “Mama Cry” from Debut EP Time Heals Everything
Issues of addiction are painful for all concerned. From those in the horrific throes of substance abuse to those loved ones and friends who are trying to intervene or provide tough love, it’s a situation that affects everyone. For Americana folk rock artist Tyler Mullendore, that issue is addressed honestly and movingly in “Mama Cry,” a soothing single from Mullendore’s debut EP Time Heals Everything. It’s a song Mullendore says hits quite close to home.
“‘Mama Cry’ is probably the most emotional song on the record, and it’s very personal to me,” Mullendore, a native of Lake Ainslie, a small locale in the western portion of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, says. “The song reads like an intervention letter.”
Mullendore, now based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, says a close friend was struggling quite badly with addiction during the time he was writing “Mama Cry.”
“His close friends and family had been watching him go downhill for quite some time, and we were all very saddened and concerned to see him that way,” Mullendore says. “I was also having my own issues with substance abuse at the time. I remember having a very emotional phone call with his very desperate and worried mother; shortly after, I gave my friend a long handwritten letter. It was my best brotherly attempt at helping him turn things around. The song was inspired by that whole situation.”
“Mama Cry” is a mid-tempo, melodic masterpiece that Mullendore guides from its soothing, soulful opening to its fantastic finish. The single, written by Mullendore, contains some great backing harmonies and recalls work by talented singer-songwriters such as Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, Bob Seger, and Astral Weeks-era Van Morrison. And, of course, fellow Cape Breton rock icon Matt Minglewood can also be heard in his work. Mullendore provides lead vocals and guitar on “Mama Cry” and is accompanied by bassist Nick Patterson, guitarist Adrian Dunn, and keyboardist Sam Fraser. Backups are provided by long-time friends, Wendy Martin and accomplished roots reggae artist Jhamiela Smith (Jah’Mila)
“Mama Cry” is the latest single from Mullendore’s six-song Time Heals Everything EP. The effort features quality material from the soulful roots emanating from “365 Days” to the piano-led Seger-esque “Living The Dream,” which screams for being on an open road with the wind in your hair. Meanwhile, “You’re Just A Dream” is a softer but thoughtful piece of quality pop rock that is another gem. Mullendore left nothing to chance with Time Heals Everything, taking five years to finish the effort.
“The album’s title was inspired by a decade of love, loss, and hard times, as well as the will to heal and look to a better future ahead,” he says. “The theme across this record, as well as in other songs of mine, is that life is hard, and times are tough sometimes. We all have regrets, we all experience loss, pain, and suffering, we all fall down; but we get up. The sun comes out, things get better, time heals.”
Mullendore, who cites Seger and John Prine as influences, was a finalist on Canadian Idol in 2007 which helped launch his career nationwide. He also earned the top spot in eOne’s national “Big Break” songwriting competition, which garnered the attention of its judges for the singer’s authenticity. Recently Mullendore performed at Nova Scotia Music Week in Wolfville, performing both solo shows alongside band performances. On November 21 he plays an EP release show at Halifax’s The Carlton. And he’s slated to perform as part of The Last Waltz concert lineup set for Halifax’s Marquee Ballroom on Nov. 23, a tribute concert honoring The Band’s legendary farewell show. A second album release show takes place in Mabou, NS at The Strathspey Performing Arts Centre on Nov. 30th.
Now with “Mama Cry” and his Time Heals Everything EP, Tyler Mullendore is about to embark on another chapter in what has already been an impressive career. It’s a testament to his perseverance that Tyler Mullendore is destined for bigger audiences and recognition thanks to songs and music that get to the heart of life’s ups and downs.
Hi, Tyler! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers?
Hey, Cats. I’m Tyler Mullendore, a classic rock and folk-influenced Americana singer-songwriter from rural Cape Breton Island, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I write real songs about real stuff.
“Mama Cry” is deeply personal and inspired by a friend’s addiction struggles. What was it like turning such an emotional and difficult experience into a song?
It was easier to write a song than to try and face it head on… it was such a bad situation at the time. I’m not good with confrontation; I could be coming from the most loving and caring place, but when emotions are flying high, and I’m in a terrible headspace; better for me to just put pen to paper…The topic was super personal and emotional to me, which made the song flow with ease… it was overall a positive experience to write the song, as it helped me deal with my own demons, and I think helped my friend (who eventually recovered). I never told him I wrote the song for him, but he always knew…
Your music has been compared to artists like Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, and Van Morrison. How do those influences shape your sound on this EP?
Those 3 artists all definitely play a role in my musical influence… a lot of their stuff is acoustic guitar-driven, like this album. Vocally, I’ve been compared to Van & Ray on multiple occasions… I suppose for the “grit” and emotion that we share in our voice. Naturally, those 3 artists also tend to be very diverse, and dynamic in their style, giving every song exactly what it needs, and not living in one particular sonic space or style… I’d like to think I did that on this record.
The Time Heals Everything EP took five years to complete. What drove you to take your time with the project, and how do you feel about the final result?
The 5 years definitely wasn’t intentional. The production of the album took place over a transitional period in my life… When I started laying the drum tracks down in 2019 I was in kind of a dark place and healing from a bad loss I’d experienced a couple of years prior. I was my own biggest obstacle at the time and nothing was getting done fast, but we stayed the course and used the good pockets of time to pick away step by step… Eventually, I was 3 years in and felt like I would never get this thing done. Things were stale so I packed up my hard drive and moved to another studio in November of 2022. That’s where it found new life and when things started to pick up again… I was now in a way better headspace and production was good! It took about a year to finish the record out from there, due to lack of finances and having to self-fund the project. I work seasonally in Alberta, so I was able to move forward between work stints! By October of 2024, I had my master’s in hand and was flat out with getting my branding & marketing plan in place… All the BS aside, I’m very happy and proud of how it turned out … The crew and I put years, blood, sweat & tears into it and I think that resonates in the music… it’s seasoned & it’s musically mature coming right out of the gate! That said, I want my next album to be completed within 3-4 months!!
As a finalist on Canadian Idol and winner of eOne’s “Big Break” competition, how have those milestones influenced your approach to creating music now?
When I was on Canadian Idol in 2007, I was a 19-year-old kid who knew nothing of how the music biz worked, nor did I have a portion of the work ethic I now have… Fast forward to 2014 when I won the contest; I had the ethic, but still not near enough knowledge or wisdom… They were definitely huge milestones that gave me confidence and reassurance and helped to shape me. Back then I was a young guy milking the exposure for everything it was worth, which was great at the time, but didn’t really help my career any… In fact, when the dust settled, I was kind of feeling depressed, like a has been and not knowing where to go next… That’s when the real songs started to come… Years had passed and I wasn’t “famous” anymore… It was humbling and enlightening… I realized that if I wanted it, I was going to have to work hard for it… I was much more mature and truer to my person at this point and I think it definitely came through in my songwriting… so all my past endeavors, milestones & shortcomings alike, have led to how I create music now. I’d like to think I have much more experience and knowledge now, allowing me to better create, plan, and hopefully, someday succeed in quitting my “day job”.
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