Meet Tyler Simon – Tokiyoh | Artist & Brand

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

Hi Tyler, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
All or nothing. When I decided I was going to become a full time artist, I knew I had to give it all gas with no brakes. I had to make it profitable, had to give up hobbies so I could dedicate more time to the project and brand, and had to put myself in situations that will bring my business to the next step. My goal for this year is to financially support myself just through my art. If I am not sleeping I am working on the business. I can only go up and won’t look down.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I go by the name of Tokiyoh, and I am doing something that is very unique. I have been making my own music for 8 years, with over 1500 songs in the vault. Right now I am very excited about the clothing that I am making. I am starting my own clothing line, and I hand-make everything. I spend countless hours designing, printing, heat pressing, and selling different types of clothing. Currently I have girls/guys jeans and pants, sweats, shorts, crop tops, hoodies, collard shirts, long sleeves, and t-shirts. I have been grinding by myself to make each piece of clothing. Each piece also being different, giving the consumer the feeling of having a 1 of 1 piece of clothing. I don’t know anyone else in my scene that is currently doing this. On top of that, I am spending hours each day making music practicing or doing something that will advance my career. Something I have learned along the way of all this is that you need to forget your feelings. What I mean by this is don’t tear yourself down, don’t worry about what others think, don’t worry about what others are doing, stay true to yourself, don’t let anyone at all distract you or hold you down, don’t get in your own head, don’t worry about the past, ignore any bad thoughts and keep pushing on, and don’t let yourself get distracted. I want people to know that there is no Plan B for me, this is make or break, if I am not giving 120% at all times I am not working hard enough. I have seen the sun rise too many times, and worked so hard the last 8 years that I can’t give up now, and there is no going back. I want to show what is possible from a single person, no matter how long it takes to get there, I know the brand, and myself will get there in due time. I have learned that it is not about how fast you get to the top, it’s how long you stay at the top when you finally get to where you want to be. Although I have been doing this for 8+ years, I did not go public with my Tokiyoh brand till 2022. It’s a slow process and I have learned a lot along the way. I am doing this for the people around me, I want to bring something to the table no one else has before, I love when someone tells me that my music is inspiring, or makes them happy and brightens the day. I love when I am able to put a smile on someones face. I am not doing this for myself. There is a much larger picture in my head I just have not painted the entire canvas. I want to bring my friends, family, and supporters with me when I am able to. Right now I am still solo with my work, but with due time I know I will be able to graduate from this currently solo project. I love you all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First thing I am doing is taking them to a Red Rocks show, including a massive tailgate party in the lots. After that I would take them to some sort of after party and see where the night takes us. One of my favorite things to do is have no itinerary at all on a Saturday night, finding people I know and ending up in places I didn’t see myself that night. I am all about the surprise. After my unplanned Saturday night, we will wake up (most likely hungover) and we will stumble into my favorite breakfast diner in Denver, Butcher Block Cafe. Get myself 3 cups of coffee, a breakfast burrito and recover for the day ahead. After this were going to skate though the city all day. Skating around is one of the best ways to see everything and find something you didn’t expect. Hit some local shops on the skateboards, probably get a beer or two from the homies at the bars, get on top of some parking garages or buildings so we can see the amazing views of the city and the mountains all at once, maybe hit the skatepark, oh and slap some stickers in places people can’t get them down. Then as the day becomes the night, most likely go to some of my friends houses where we can make music, play on some DJ decks, invite more friends over to get a party going, and yet again see where the night takes us. During the week I would be taking my friend out to ride motorcycles, rock climb, go on some crazy hike to the top of a mountain, go on a major drive off-roading somewhere, get lost, find an abandoned town for fun, and hit all the little local spots in the mountains that I know from my childhood. And if we were really feeling lucky go get a hotel in Blackhawk for the night so we can test our luck out. At the end of the day we will have had a crazy week, discovered new things, and will have done things we were never expecting to do.

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?
Shoutout to my parents and my close friends (the day 1s). Without the parents I wouldn’t have been able to take the risks and chances I have in my life. My best friends have seen the ups and downs that no one else has, and they are my ride or dies. Without them I wouldn’t feel the support I do or have the confidence to do what I am doing. <3

Website: https://www.tokiyoh.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whoistokiyoh/

Twitter: https://x.com/whoistokiyoh?s=21

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whoistokiyoh8

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@whoistokiyoh

Other: Spotify:

Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tokiyoh/1606555890

Image Credits
Mariya: @marmalade_foto

Kaylee: @6ixxeyez

Saúl: @saulshotya