Tyler Mullendore doesn’t want to see your Mama Cry in his emotional new single — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
Issues of addiction are painful for all concerned. From those in the horrific throes of substance abuse to those loved ones and friends who are trying to intervene or provide tough love, it’s a situation that affects everyone. For Americana folk rock artist Mullendore, that issue is addressed honestly and movingly in this soothing single from his debut EP Time Heals Everything. It’s a song Mullendore says hits quite close to home.
“Mama Cry is probably the most emotional song on the record, and it’s very personal to me,” says Mullendore, a native of Lake Ainslie, a small locale in the western portion of Cape Breton Island. “The song reads like an intervention letter.”
Mullendore, now based in Halifax, says a close friend was struggling with addiction during the time he was writing Mama Cry. “His close friends and family had been watching him go downhill for quite some time, and we were all very saddened and concerned to see him that way,” Mullendore says. “I was also having my own issues with substance abuse at the time. I remember having a very emotional phone call with his very desperate and worried mother; shortly after, I gave my friend a long-handwritten letter. It was my best brotherly attempt at helping him turn things around. The song was inspired by that whole situation.”
Mama Cry is a mid-tempo, melodic number that Mullendore guides from its soothing, soulful opening to its fantastic finish. The single recalls work by talented singer-songwriters such as Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams, Bob Seger and Van Morrison. The influence of fellow Cape Breton rock icon Matt Minglewood can also be heard. Mullendore provides lead vocals and guitar on Mama Cry, accompanied by bassist Nick Patterson, guitarist Adrian Dunn and keyboardist Sam Fraser. Backups are provided by long time friends Wendy Martin and roots reggae artist Jhamiela Smith (Jah’Mila).
Mama Cry is the latest single from Mullendore’s six-song Time Heals Everything EP. The effort moves from the soulful roots of 365 Days to Living The Dream, which screams for being on an open road with the wind in your hair. Meanwhile, You’re Just A Dream is a softer but thoughtful piece of quality pop rock that is another gem. Mullendore left nothing to chance with Time Heals Everything, taking five years to finish the effort.
“The album’s title was inspired by a decade of love, loss, and hard times, as well as the will to heal and look to a better future ahead,” he says. “The theme across this record, as well as in other songs of mine, is that life is hard, and times are tough sometimes. We all have regrets, we all experience loss, pain, and suffering, we all fall down; but we get up. The sun comes out, things get better, time heals.”
Mullendore, who cites Seger and John Prine as influences, was a finalist on Canadian Idol in 2007, which helped launch his career. He also earned top spot in eOne’s Big Break songwriting competition, where he garnered the attention of judges for his authenticity.
Watch the video for Mama Cry above, check out the rest of Time Heals Everything below, and find Tyler Mullendore on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
