Meet Tyler Ruehl | Music Producer and Record Label Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Ruehl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have been doing music since I was about 12 years old ( I am 28 now). Writing and recording yourself was not a huge thing back in the day and I needed a way to get out ideas without breaking the bank. I started out with a $30 interface and a cheap computer and just went to town taking in as much knowledge as I could learn online at first.

After I got my foundation down with creating my own demos, I ended up with helping out other bands and artists around me and it eventually turned into paid work.

I didn’t just dive on into the business side of things though. I was employed at a super cool guitar shop in Oceanside (Dustys guitars, go there for your guitar needs! ) and ended up getting advice from the owner and I started researching on some business books and I indulged on some online classes on recording.

Music didn’t seem like a feasible plan at first, but I am now 5 years into this journey and I have learned so much and made so many great connections. I wouldn’t change a thing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a music producer that mainly works in Metal, but have recently produced a really talented Pop singer Jessica ( Hart ) and just signed her to my independent record label. I have 4 other artists including a Canadian band Coe Hill.

I do everything from songwriting, tracking, editing, mixing AND mastering. Usually all those things are separated in this business but for some reason I wanted the whole pie. To top it off I also added distribution in the mix as well. I love all those things individually and have tried really hard at each of those things to make sure I am more than capable in producing great quality for my clients. I know it is important to “Niche” down, but I like the challenge and I feel that’s something that helps me stand out. I am very passionate about my art and with who I get to create music with. A humble brag is I had a blind shoot out against Abbey Roads for a mastering gig and ended up winning. For those unfamiliar, The Beatles sure did love that place.

Probably what helped me get to where I am today is starting young at knowing that I loved music and being in bands. I was 15 when I did my first serious band, and at 17 I joined a pre established band and brought my friends in with me. Being younger and my friends older, it taught me how to act better, how to really handle the pressures of responsibilities and how to take things serious. We took everything we did super seriously with recording at nice studios, practicing all the time, multiple music videos, touring and really throwing my all into this life style. It for sure wasn’t easy, but the reward of being out on the road with something you created and are apart of and then gaining fans that enjoy what you’re doing is insane. That kept me in the game for sure with dealing with promoters, managers, booking agents, and gaining street smarts. I use a lot of these things I learned young in my business practices today.

Music has to be one of the hardest industries to want to be in. Even if you’re the best at your job and what you do, it sometimes just isn’t enough. There is no promise or guarantee in work or being popular or making money. You just really have to want it and be ready to be broke at times and move forward with your passion. You just cant quit and you have to stay hungry and consistent. There was always something in the back of my mind with “get a plan b” but I don’t have one. I just set my sights on this and wont quit.

I have written music for a few small documentaries and with other large artists. like At The Skylines (Roadrunner Records), In Fear and Faith (Rise Records), Confide (Tragic Hero Records) , Oh, Sleeper ( Solid State Records), Exodus, Flaw (Republic and Universal Records) Megadeth, Ill Niño, Lion I Am (Blackgateco Records), Thousand Below (Rise Records).

I also love that I have built a team of people I work with as freelancers together and we make some insanely awesome stuff for our artists together. We try our best to keep everything in house as Blackgateco.

All I want the world to know is that I just like making some kick ass music and hire me if you like the same thing. Let’s put out some music !

Life’s tough and you get one shot at life, do what you want anyway you can do it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Ok this is great, I get a ton of friends flying in all the time to record and hang out so we go out often. I live in North County near Stone Brewing in Escondido. Absolutely insane brewery and great food, doesn’t hurt that I also have a few friends that work there as well. There are a ton of great breweries here, I think it would be hard to not find a spot that does it for ya. Absolutely insane beer everywhere here. Little Miss Brewing is also a great spot.

TJ tacos is also a fantastic spot for me in North County, affordable and insanely delicious tacos, it is always packed but worth the wait.

Can’t come here and not hit the beach, been a big fan of sunset cliffs and La Jolla cove for the seals and some Sushi, also if you’re trying to get a little rowdy, cant go wrong with going out in PB and hitting a few spots.

There is a Really great sushi spot in Carlsbad called Blue Ocean, and right down the street is Boars Crossin for some pool and cheap drinks too. Total local spot and great vibes.

I golf a ton also and I think we have some seriously great spots for cheap. As great as Torrey Pines is, We make sure to hit up Boulder Oaks and Emerald Isle to save a bit of coin so we can do multiple rounds.

Not to brag, but I am a pretty decent cook as well and its always a fun time getting some Coors lights and me cooking some nice dinner, been super into Sous Vide’ing things. I’d love to show you my pork lion and kale mashed potatoes dish.

Last but not least, if you can find it. Its called The Nolan in downtown. Amazing Roof top bar

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have had a ton of support from my Mother, my friends and band mates Taylor Eastman, Conner Umphreville, Eliot post in Lion I Am. Good friends and musicians Jesse Raymundo, Mark Barela, Jeff Hellberg, Ross Kenyon, Nick Mani, Sean Martin, Tim Graham (the list goes on!)

Don’t have to add this, but really liked the four hour work week and Rich Dad Poor Dad as books that helped me wrap my head around entrepreneurship

Website: Blackgateco.com

Instagram: Tyler_Ruehl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tyler_Ruehl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackgatecorecords

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvL1JU8rUdCSPmNbTUvIqnA

Other: I recently got into TikTok and have been making videos there : https://www.tiktok.com/@tylerthemusicproducer

Image Credits
AJ Caso Shannon Sonniksen