Toronto, ON-based soul-R&B artist Ty Richard is back with a new single, “Heart Worth Taking” featuring Kaya.
The track is a preview into Ty’s upcoming 2021 LP, In Time & Grace, and follows a previous tour and studio collaborations with Brooklyn dream-pop outfit Cigarettes After Sex and Australian soul duo Breathe.
“This song compares the fading loves of the world with the eternal love of God,” Richard shares. “It discusses the struggle that one faces when choosing between the two.
“I feel like King Solomon in his quest for satisfaction,” he continues. “He had unparalleled wealth, power, women, property, horses, food, and pleasure, and yet after attaining all of it, concluded it all to be worthless when living apart from God. I too was searching for satisfaction in the world through lifestyle, music, and status; each time I attained love through these things, I’d watch that same love and contentment fade quicker than it came.”
He says he had bought the ‘lie of the world’ that one could find fulfillment in excessive materialism, a rising social stature, and the relentless pursuit of personal pleasure.
“I was wrong,” he considers. “Human beings were made for something far greater than anything this world has to offer, so I’ve come to the same conclusion as the King: There’s not a single thing on this Earth that can satisfy my soul like knowing the endless love freely given by Jesus Christ.”
Check out “Heart Worth Taking” below and find out more about Ty Richard via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, I’m Ty Richard. I am a Toronto Soul-R&B artist and producer. A few facts about me: I’m half Ukrainian half Korean, I’m currently finishing my Bachelor of Church Music with a double major in theology, and the greatest love of my life is Jesus.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I think, stylistically, I think my music is a blend of multiple genres and musical eras, but my primary influences are neo-soul, jazz, and quiet storm. I also draw from guitarists like Eric Clapton, Chris Isaak, and Santana, and draw from rhythmic influencers like Sade, The Winans, and Lauryn Hill.
My lyrics are both poetic and conversational. The poetic nature in some verses prompts deeper thought about the meaning, while other conversational verses bear the meaning in plain sight. I like to go back and forth between the two, as I think there is both a time to deliver lyrics directly and indirectly.
Recently I have been writing in a new way: I just press record on the track and start praying in a melody. I’m just talking to God about whatever is on my heart — but through a rhyme scheme and tune. It says in the Bible that the Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know what to pray for, so I’ve just been letting him put things onto my heart. I have even been doing this in the car, or while working out; just “free-style praying” over whatever beats I’m listening to.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
I don’t have any shows lined up at the moment. This season has been heavily focused on finessing my sound and finishing my debut album. Lord willing, I will have this record finished in the new year with shows to follow.
I would describe my live performances as quite the mood. This upcoming record in particular will definitely get the head bobbing with that subdued-type groove that my music falls into. I would also love to bring in some feature musicians to really boost the vibes of the live show, like guitarists and saxophonists.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
My song repertoire is still growing, with many releases still around the corner. Until then, I would recommend my latest release, “Heart Worth Taking”. Fellow Toronto soul artist, Kaya, accompanied me on this one. I really love her voice, and I’m proud of the track we created!
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/ artists?
One of my favourite Toronto guitarists is Jesse Cook. Many of his songs have this delicate, yet colourful melody to them. I actually cook and study to his music.
Another great Toronto artist is Rhye. His style feels like soul, jazz, funk, and dream-pop all in one.