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Tilian Pearson | |
|---|---|
 Tilian performing withDance Gavin Dance in December 2017. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Tilian Pearson |
| Born | (1987-07-12)July 12, 1987 (age 37) |
| Origin | Clearwater, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels |
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| Formerly of | |
Tilian Pearson (born July 12, 1987),[1] also knownmononymously asTilian, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born inClearwater,Florida. From 2012 to 2024, he was the clean vocalist for Americanpost-hardcore bandDance Gavin Dance. Pearson began his music career as the lead vocalist and guitarist in theprogressive rock bandTides of Man, releasing an extended play and two studio albums before leaving in 2010.
After parting ways with Tides of Man, Pearson briefly joined the American rock bandsSaosin andEmarosa following the departure of their respective vocalists, however never released any material with the groups. In August 2012, he joined Dance Gavin Dance, replacingJonny Craig, and released the albumAcceptance Speech (2013). Two years later, the band releasedInstant Gratification, to critical acclaim and became their first top-fortyUSBillboard 200 album. In 2016, they released the live albumTree City Sessions and their seventh studio album,Mothership, the latter charting at number 13 on theBillboard 200. The band released their eighth studio album,Artificial Selection (2018), which was followed by their ninth album,Afterburner (2020), each peaking at numbers 15 and 14 in the US, respectively. On June 1, 2022, Pearson was accused ofsexual assault involving multiple women. He briefly left Dance Gavin Dance in 2022, yet returned the following year, later perennially parting ways in April 2024.
As a solo musician, Tilian has released four studio albums and two extended plays. His debut and sophomore studio albums,Material Me (2013) andPerfect Enemy (2015), were each released on independent record label Vital Recordings. His third and fourth studio albums,The Skeptic (2018) andFactory Reset (2021), were released on Rise Records. He has appeared on numerous other musical groups and artists' songs includingOur Last Night's 2018 cover of "Better Now" byPost Malone,Don Broco's 2019 single "Action" alongsideTyler Carter,Taka Moriuchi, andCaleb Shomo, andAdventure Club's 2021 single "Drive".
In 2007, Pearson formedprogressive rock bandTides of Man consisting of lead guitarist Spencer Gill, rhythm guitarist Adam Sene, bass guitarist Alan Jaye, and percussionist Josh Gould, at the time. The band recorded their debut full-length studio album titledEmpire Theory throughout September 2008 with producer Matt Malpass and was released throughRise Records on August 4, 2009.[2] They also released their sophomore studio album,Dreamhouse, in 2010. He announced his departure from the band on December 20, 2010, through a message onMyspace. Since Pearson's departure, Tides of Man has become aninstrumental andprogressive rock band consisting of little-to-no vocal use in their recent material.[3]
Following the announcement of Pearson's departure from Tides of Man in December 2010, the singer revealed that he was working on material with Americanpost-hardcore bandSaosin. The band's members Alex Rodriguez and Beau Burchell reached out to Pearson asking him to record ademo to which he agreed and recorded "Promises". In January 2011, Pearson flew toCalifornia for rehearsals and decided to record more material with Saosin. He was subsequently offered to record vocals for their third studio album, however Pearson was limited to recording with the group.[4] The album with Pearson never came to fruition due to his commitments to touring withEmarosa and forming his band Archives. Saosin went on to go on an indefinite hiatus, later rejoining with original lead vocalistAnthony Green. In a 2013 interview, Pearson explained why his relationship with Saosin fell through.[5] "They flew me out to California and I did a bunch of practices and recorded five demos. A few months later I came back and did some writing sessions. Time just stretched and stretched after that. It was a complete maybe for almost two years. They would send me demos every few months. During this span I also toured with Emarosa and did a couple months of writing and recording demos with them. It wasn't until I was doing the music video for “Up In the Air” from my solo project when Saosin told me they were probably going to do something instrumental."
In April 2011, Americanpost-hardcore bandEmarosa announced the departure of their lead vocalistJonny Craig. Pearson, who had just left his band Tides of Man, was offered to temporarily tour with the group for the remainder of their 2011 tour dates. During his time with Emarosa, Pearson recorded multipledemos with the band. In February 2012, it was revealed that Pearson was no longer associated with Emarosa.[6]
Following the departure ofJonny Craig on August 21, 2012, it was rumored that Pearson would be serving as a touring member to pursue clean vocal duties forDance Gavin Dance. Despite the fact that Pearson was in the midst of recording his full-length albumMaterial Me (2013), he subsequently became a permanent member.[7] Pearson recorded vocals for the band's fifth studio album,Acceptance Speech, which was released on October 8, 2013, onRise Records, a record label he was previously signed to with his former groupTides of Man.Acceptance Speech received mixed to positive reviews from critics upon its release. The band embarked on The Acceptance Speech Tour on April 16 inSeattle, Washington, and concluded on May 17, 2014, inDenver, Colorado. On September 14, 2014, it was announced that the band was to headline the annualRise Records tour beginning on November 16 in Seattle. The tour concluded inSanta Cruz, California, on December 7, 2014, with supporting actsSECRETS,Alive Like Me, and Defeat The Low.[8]
On February 9, 2015, it was announced that Dance Gavin Dance were releasing their sixth studio album,Instant Gratification on April 14, 2015 through Rise Records, being the second album featuring Pearson on vocals. "On the Run" was released as the lead single on February 12, 2015, and the second single, "We Own the Night", was released on March 13, 2015. In support of the album, the band embarked on the Instant Gratification Tour and served as supporting acts on the Take Action! Tour withmetalcore bandMemphis May Fire,Palisades, andCrown the Empire.[9] Tilian toured with Dance Gavin Dance throughout November and December 2015 on the 10 year anniversary tour with supporting actsSlaves,A Lot Like Birds,Dayshell, andStrawberry Girls. Throughout the tour, Tilian switched out as lead vocalist with the band's former vocalistsJonny Craig andKurt Travis.[10] The group, as well as Craig and Travis, embarked on the second leg of the 10th-anniversary tour in Europe in November 2016.
The band announced a string of international tour dates for 2016, including their US fall tour from September 22 to October 27 and a European tour from November 3 to November 16.[11][12] They released the live studio album,Tree City Sessions, on May 13, 2016. The band released their seventh studio album,Mothership, on October 7, 2016, which charted at number 13 on theUSBillboard 200. The lead single, "Chucky Vs. the Giant Tortoise", was released on August 18, 2016, fordigital download andstreaming. In 2017, the group embarked on a co-headlining North American tour withprogressive rock bandCHON in February and March 2017.[13] They released a cover of theBruno Mars single "That's What I Like" on June 1, 2017, as part ofPunk Goes Pop Vol. 7.[14] They released a stand-alone single, "Summertime Gladness", on June 15.[15] They toured on the Journey's Right Foot Stage from May to August 2017 on theVans Warped Tour. This was the first Warped Tour in which Pearson toured as a member in Dance Gavin Dance.
On March 23, 2018, the band announcedArtificial Selection, revealing the album cover art and track listing.[16] The album, which was released on June 8, 2018, is the fourth consecutive studio album and fifth release overall to feature Pearson on vocals, making him the longest-running consecutive vocalist in the band's line-up history. The band released the single "Midnight Crusade", along with its music video, on April 4, 2018. Another single, "Son of Robot", was released on May 4, 2018.[17] Two more singles, "Care" and "Count Bassy", were released on May 25 and June 5, 2018, respectively. In support of the album, the band toured on American post-hardcore bandUnderoath's No Fix Tour from April 20 to May 26, 2018.[18] A headlining tour took place from May 26 to June 21, with support fromI See Stars,ERRA, andSianvar.[19] The band toured in support of Underoath's North AmericanErase Me tour from November 2 to December 14, 2018, withThe Plot In You andCrown the Empire.[20] The band announced a 2019 Australian Tour, which spanned from February 27 to March 5, 2019.[21] On November 9, Dance Gavin Dance announced its first annual SwanFest, which took place on March 30, 2019, inAnaheim,California.[22] Another North American headliner,The Artificial Selection Tour, spanned from March 31 to May 12, 2019.[23] On March 22, 2019, the band released the song "Head Hunter".[24] Another song, "Blood Wolf", was released on October 11, 2019.[25]
On November 12, 2019, the group announced their2020 spring tour scheduled to take place from March 12 to April 25, 2020.[26] This tour was later postponed due to the2019-20 coronavirus outbreak and was later rescheduled as the Afterburner Tour, which took place in September and October 2021.[27] In February 2020, the band announced their ninth studio album,Afterburner, and released its lead single "Prisoner", along with its accompanying music video.[28]Afterburner serves as Pearson's fifth consecutive studio album with the group.
In December 2020, the group announcedTree City Sessions 2, which was released todigital download andstreaming platforms on December 25.[29] The live album was accompanied with aconcert streaming event where the group performed a fan voted setlist on theTower Bridge inSacramento, California, which was broadcast on December 19.[30]
On March 24, 2022, the band released the single "Synergy".[31] Their tenth full-length studio album,Jackpot Juicer, was released on July 29, 2022, and was supported by a spring tour in April and May, a summer tour withCoheed & Cambria in July and August, and a run of UK and European concerts in September 2022 and March 2023.
On June 3, 2022, the band announced lead vocalist Tilian Pearson will be "stepping away to seek professional help" following multiple sexual assault allegations made against him.[32][33] He returned to the band in November.[34][35]
In April 2024, Pearson announced that he had decided to part ways with Dance Gavin Dance again and would not return to the band.[36]
Tilian Pearson released his debut full-length studio album,Material Me, on March 18, 2013, through Vital Records. He later released his solo extended play,Future Friends, on December 16, 2014, through Vital Records.[37] On June 29, 2015, Pearson announced that he would be entering the studio and recording new material with producerKris Crummett on September 1.[38] Tilian began recording vocals for the album on September 9.[39] Two weeks later, Pearson finished recording the album.[40] He released his single "Tug Of War" along with its music video on October 16, 2015.[41]
On October 29, 2015, he announced his second studio albumPerfect Enemy, which was released on November 27, 2015, through Vital Records.[42] In support of the album, he announced his headlining solo tour with supporting act Myke Terry (formerly ofmetalcore bandBury Your Dead). The tour took place from January 28 to February 5, 2016.[43] On August 21, 2015, rock bandSlaves released their second studio album,Routine Breathing, which consists of the song "Winter Everywhere", featuring a guest vocal appearance from Pearson.[44]
He released his collaborative single, "Back to Life", with singerJonny Craig, on April 18, 2016. As a solo artist, Pearson toured as a co-headliner on a U.S. tour with Jonny Craig andKurt Travis spanning from April 15 to May 22, 2016.[45]
On June 22, 2017, Tilian premiered the song "Lines That Burn", which originally was planned to be the lead single from his upcoming third solo studio album.[46] Another new single, "Wake Up", was released on July 14.[47] Tilian featured on the StéLouse single "Bones", which was released on July 28, 2017.[48] He released another solo single, entitled "Patient", and announced thePatient EP on August 4, 2017.[49]
Tilian confirmed on Twitter that he would be recording his third studio album beginning September 10 and recording his fourth studio album withDance Gavin Dance beginning October 14.[50]
On August 29, 2017, American post-hardcore bandI the Mighty released the single "Silver Tongues", accompanied with a music video, featuring Tilian on vocals.[51]
On June 22, 2018, Tilian announced a solo headlining tour, which took place from August 23 to September 23, 2018, with support from Americanrock bandsRoyal Coda and Sunsleep.[52] Tilian revealed thatDance Gavin Dance drummer Matthew Mingus, Eidola singer and guitarist Andrew Wells, and formerA Lot Like Birds guitarist Michael Franzino will be the line-up for his touring band.
On July 10, 2018, American rock bandOur Last Night released a studio cover ofPost Malone's 2018 single "Better Now", featuring Tilian and drummerLuke Holland.[53]
On August 16, 2018, Tilian announced his third studio albumThe Skeptic, with a scheduled release date of September 28, 2018.[54] The lead single, "Cocky", was released on August 17. In the United States,The Skeptic debuted at No. 21 on theDigital Albums Chart, No. 13 on the Current Rock Albums chart, No. 9 on theTop Independent Albums chart, No. 6 on the CurrentAlternative Albums chart and charted atop the Alternative New Artist Albums chart.[55] He embarked on The Skeptic US tour, from July 26 to August 22, 2019, with support from Landon Tewers ofThe Plot In You, Brent Walsh ofI the Mighty and RVLS.[56]
On August 9, 2019, he released the single "Half".[57] The following year, he collaborated on formerAttack Attack! guitarist and singer Johnny Franck's solo project Bilmuri's song "THEMURIWITHHUMANHAIR" and his cover of "Graveyard" byHalsey.[58][59]
After sessions for his fourth studio album took place throughout the summer in his home recording studio, Tilian released the lead single "Dose" on December 11, 2020.[60] Another song, "Anthem", was released accompanied by its music video on February 27, 2021.[61] Tilian released "Is Anarchy a Good Hobby?", the third single from the album, on March 26, along with its music video.[62]Factory Reset was officially announced on March 23, and was released on April 23, 2021. On August 24, he announced the Factory Reset Tour. Originally, the 22-date tour was planned to span from February 25 to March 26, 2022, with support fromRoyal Coda, Tillie, and Moxy.[63] However, on January 28, the tour was postponed to November 2022 and has since been postponed indefinitely.[64]
On June 1, 2022, Pearson was accused ofsexual assault involving a fan.[65] Due to the allegations, he indefinitely left the band to seek "rehabilitation" and later rejoined in November 2022.[66] Tilian admitted to the encounters, yet denied they were non-consensual in a Reddit post.[67][68]
Tilian's solo music has been often labeled aspop rock,indie pop,folk-pop,dance-pop andelectropop. On his debut studio album,Material Me, he focused the production more towards asynth-pop driven style with elements ofR&B,rock andsoul. His follow-up,Perfect Enemy (2015), consists of a morefolk andpop sound. His 2018 studio album,The Skeptic has been labeled as apop rock, pop and synth-pop record while exploring more aggressive elements ofrock such aspost-hardcore such as on the track "Handsome Garbage". andelectro on the songs "Drunken Conversation" and "Let Her Go".
As a member ofTides of Man, the band pursued post-hardcore with elements ofexperimental rock,psychedelic rock andprogressive rock. After leaving the band, he joinedDance Gavin Dance, focussing on a more aggressive style of post-hardcore, with influences ofjazz,funk rock,math rock, andemo. In a 2019 interview withAlternative Press, Pearson revealed that upon joining Dance Gavin Dance, his melodies and lyricism were both heavily inspired by his former band Tides of Man onAcceptance Speech (2013), while claiming he cemented his style onInstant Gratification (2015).[69]
Solo[edit]Studio albums
Extended plays
with Dance Gavin Dance[edit]Studio albums
Live albums
Non-album singles
| with Tides of Man[edit]Studio albums
Extended plays
with Emarosa[edit]Unreleased demo recordings
with Saosin[edit]Unreleased demo recordings
with Archives[edit]
|
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Tug of War" | 2015 | Perfect Enemy |
| "All I Ever Do" | ||
| "Dreaming" | ||
| "Satellite" | ||
| "Hold Me Down" | 2016 | |
| "Cocky" | 2018 | The Skeptic |
| "Hold On" | ||
| "Ghost Town" | ||
| "Dose" | 2020 | Factory Reset |
| "Anthem" | 2021 | |
| "Is Anarchy a Good Hobby?" | ||
| "Caught In a Carousel" | ||
| "Act Out" | ||
| "Hands Around My Throat" | ||
| "Breathe" | 2022 | |
| "Angel" | 2024 | Vertigo |
| "Pieces Back Together" | ||
| "Savages" | ||
| "Recover" | 2025 |
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Up In the Air" | Shawn Butcher[73] |
| 2015 | "Tug of War" | Unknown |
| "Satellite" | John Howe[74] | |
| 2018 | "Cocky" | Miguel Barbosa[75] |
| "Hold On" | Shawn Butcher | |
| 2021 | "Anthem" | Dillon Novak |
| "Is Anarchy a Good Hobby?" | Katharine White | |
| 2024 | "Angel" | Jake Johnston |
| "Pieces Back Together" | Jon Vulpine | |
| "Savages" | Unknown | |
| 2025 | "Recover" |
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