Tyler Joseph from twenty one pilots chats with Zane about creating their sixth studio album, the impact of parenthood on work and creativity, self-acceptance, and the dilemma of playing shows versus making records.
twenty one pilots creates an immersive experience for fans with characters, storylines, and internet Easter egg hunts.
Their latest album, Scaled and Icy, is carefully crafted to have a specific flow of creativity, with each song contributing something unique to the overall picture.
Deep dives
Building an Entire Universe: The Conceptual World of 21 Pilots
21 Pilots goes beyond just creating music; they build an entire universe with characters and storylines that fans get drawn into. Their approach involves creating an immersive experience, where fans are constantly searching for clues and participating in an internet Easter egg hunt. This level of depth and thoughtfulness sets them apart and creates a unique fan experience.
Creating a Compact and Deliberate Album
In their latest album, Tyler Joseph explains that he approached the songwriting process with a deliberate mindset. The album consists of 11 songs that were carefully selected and arranged to create a specific flow of creativity. Tyler wanted the album to feel like a compact and focused piece, with each song bringing something different to the overall picture.
Exploring the Themes of Optimism and Desaturation
The album features a song called 'Good Day,' which explores themes of optimism and desaturation. Tyler shares that the song is about imagining how he would react to a terrible event, and how he would try to find positivity even in difficult circumstances. The album as a whole balances this sense of optimism with a recognition of the challenges and grief that life can bring.
Transitioning to a New Story
While the current narrative of the 21 Pilots universe is coming to a close with this album, Tyler expresses excitement about the future. He hints at the possibility of creating new stories, exploring different mediums such as movies, comic books, and scripts. Tyler emphasizes the importance of having confidence as a creator and being open to new creative directions.