Vancouver-born, Victoria-based guitarist and singer-songwriter Tyler James Johnson’s new single “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” is out now. Recorded alongside friend and collaborator Jennifer Croden, the duet continues the rollout of Tyler’s new EP, Songs For Everyone, which dropped on Aug. 31.
“I was driving in my car one day and … ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around’ came on the radio,” Tyler recalled, “For some reason, I was inspired and thought, ‘I really want to write a similar style duet song to this.’ Turns out not long after, a close friend of mine was having relationship challenges, and it inspired the story behind this.”
On the track, Tyler and Jennifer spin a yarn about a woman who longed for adventure begging for a second chance from the man she left behind. It’s at once heartfelt and bitter.
“[My friend] had fallen for this seemingly wonderful girl,” explained Tyler.
“Turns out she would up and leave one day with no notice to travel the world. He was incredibly heart broken and struggled for months because of this. Time passes, and he moves on, and she returns and wants a relationship again … I was really frustrated for him.”
Tyler was first inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing his father’s record collection at the age of 12. Today, his repertoire spans many genres, including folk, rock, blues, country, Celtic, traditional, and pop. Over the years, he has lent his talents to numerous artists and bands, assuming roles as both a front man and a sideman. In 2022, he held the position of resident lounge musician at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta. Presently, he can be found performing throughout Victoria BC, both as part of the duo Second Fiddle and as a solo artist.
