5 Q&A With Tyrone Sanborn Webster
How did everything come together?
‘Intention’ was originally written and recorded in 2020. It started as an ambient project created for personal meditation sessions, but it naturally grew into a seven-track album. Being at home due to the pandemic, it was a highly introspective time. I was able to explore old songs and poems of mine, even some unfinished work. Along with a bit of new material I kind of weaved this project together. Revisiting the album for a remaster 5 years later, we thought adding my single Change Your Mind would be a good addition to the album. All around it felt like the perfect opportunity to honor that chapter while also giving the music the clarity and depth it always deserved. The remaster sharpens the details and energy a bit. I feel it offers a more expansive look into the journey behind the record.
How did you approach the arrangement and instrumentation on ‘Intention (Extended + Remastered)?’
The original recording sessions were very lo-fi with little equipment, and pretty experimental. Simplicity was my mindset at the time, and just felt right to keep it that way through the process.
I'm a big fan of layers, and the wall of sound approach, although half the tracks started out on acoustic guitar. I wanted to incorporate texture but also keep that subtle acoustic vibe. The whole process of writing this record felt quiet, maybe calm is a better word, but I also love noise and chaos. So finding that mix that felt right was the goal I guess, although unknowingly.
With the remaster, I didn’t want to reinvent the songs completely, but I wanted them to breathe differently. I kept the core arrangements intact but we worked on enhancing the clarity, depth, and dynamics. The instrumentation got a subtle polish, layering textures more carefully, making sure the rhythm sections hit harder, and giving the vocals and melodies more space. The approach was about respecting the original emotion while presenting it in a slightly enhanced way.
Which song(s) do you like the best and why?
It’s tough to choose, but a few stand out. The first track, “Sashes and Crowns” is probably the oldest song of mine on that record. I wrote it when I first moved to Austin Texas in 2011, I credit my songwriting growth to a handful of folks I was playing with at that time. The second track “Gallows” is also a favorite. I wrote it in its entirety while recording, which was a new practice for me. Finally, the track Intention means a lot to me. It’s really a love note to my wife. Those songs still resonate deeply with me because they capture where I was at the time—both musically and personally.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
I’ve always been surrounded by music—it’s been part of my life since I was young. I taught myself how to play guitar when I was 15 and I started writing songs. I played drums in different bands over the years and over time, that passion turned into recording, performing, and eventually producing my own work. Every recording I’ve made has been part of that journey of growth, both as an artist and as a person.
Do you aim to convey any specific themes or messages through your music?
Great question, I usually do not. A lot of the time I’m not thinking of writing about anything in particular and it isn’t until later I might realize what a song is, or could be about. I'm in love with that aspect of the process. There may be some obvious themes that come up when I’m writing, but I don’t really go into it thinking of conveying any theme or message, but it’s happened a few times.
