# Tilian Pearson
**Tilian Pearson** (born 1987 in [Clearwater, Florida](https://www.edgepedia.org/clearwater-florida)) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer who performs under the mononym Tilian as an electropop-tinged alt-rock solo artist and served as the clean vocalist of the post-hardcore band [Dance Gavin Dance](https://www.edgepedia.org/dance-gavin-dance) from 2012 to 2024.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) • [2](https://www.last.fm/music/Tilian)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987, Clearwater, Florida[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) |
| First band | Co-founded the post-hardcore group Tides of Man in Tampa in 2007; albums *Empire Theory* (2009) and *Dreamhouse* (2010) on Rise Records; left in December 2010[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) |
| Dance Gavin Dance | Clean vocalist from 2012 to 2024, replacing Jonny Craig; temporary departure in 2022, return in 2023, permanent split in April 2024[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) • [2](https://www.last.fm/music/Tilian) |
| Band chart peaks | *Acceptance Speech* (2013) reached the Billboard 200 Top 50; *Instant Gratification* (2015) peaked at number 32; *Mothership* (2017) was a Top 15 album; *Artificial Selection* (2018) hit number 13[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) |
| Solo albums | *Material Me* (2013), *Perfect Enemy* (2015), *The Skeptic* (2018), *Tu Presencia* (2020), *Factory Reset* (2021), *VERTIGO* (2025)[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) • [3](https://codamusic.me/artists/tilian/) |
| Biggest solo chart success | *The Skeptic* (2018), his first solo release on Rise Records, became a Top 25 alternative album and reached the Top Ten of the independent and Heatseekers albums charts[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) |
## Tides of Man
Pearson began his music career in 2007 as lead vocalist and guitarist of the progressive rock band Tides of Man, which he co-founded in Tampa with lead guitarist Spencer Gill, rhythm guitarist Adam Sene, bassist Alan Jaye, and drummer Josh Gould.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) The band released its debut album, *Empire Theory*, on [Rise Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/rise-records) in 2009, followed by *Dreamhouse* in 2010; Pearson left the group that December.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860)
Over the following two years he recorded or toured with several other bands, including Archives, [Emarosa](https://www.edgepedia.org/emarosa), and [Saosin](https://www.edgepedia.org/saosin), but released no recordings with them.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860)
## Dance Gavin Dance, 2012–2024
**Joining the band.** In August 2012 Pearson replaced [Jonny Craig](https://www.edgepedia.org/jonny-craig) as the official clean vocalist of the Sacramento post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance, joining co-founders Jon Mess (harsh vocals) and Will Swan (guitar), bassist Tim Feerick, and drummer Matt Mingus.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) • [4](https://sheltermusic.com/artist/dance-gavin-dance/) The band carries a two-singer format: Pearson delivers the "clean" sung vocals while Mess performs the "dirty" screamed ones.[5](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2016/10/05/the-two-headed-hard-rock-dance-gavin-dance/B0D8keBQQZhCDJ4HMkktVO/story.html) His first album with the band, *Acceptance Speech* (2013), climbed into the Top 50 of the [Billboard](https://www.edgepedia.org/billboard-magazine) 200, and *Instant Gratification* (2015) peaked at number 32.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860)
**Commercial peak.** *Mothership* reached the Billboard 200 Top 15 in 2017, and 2018 brought the biggest chart successes for both Pearson and the band: *Artificial Selection* hit number 13 on the Billboard 200.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) The band's later albums *Afterburner* (2020) and *Jackpot Juicer* (2022) also carry Pearson's vocals as composer and vocalist.[6](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-pearson-mn0002550018) A 2016 review in *The Boston Globe* described the band's sound as heavy, ambitious, and sometimes witty rock that draws on decades of alternative music.[5](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2016/10/05/the-two-headed-hard-rock-dance-gavin-dance/B0D8keBQQZhCDJ4HMkktVO/story.html)
**Departures and return.** Last.fm describes him as the band's former vocalist (2012–2024).[2](https://www.last.fm/music/Tilian)
## Solo career
Pearson has kept a parallel career as a frontman and solo artist since his first album as Tilian, *Material Me*, released on Vital Records in early 2013; it offered a brighter, more streamlined sound than his band work.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) He followed it with the EP *Future Friends* in 2014, the album *Perfect Enemy* in 2015, which reached number 13 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, and the EP *Patient* in 2017.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860)
**The Skeptic.** His 2018 album *The Skeptic*, his first solo release on Rise Records, became a Top 25 alternative album and reached the Top Ten of the independent and Heatseekers albums charts, his strongest solo chart placement to that point.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) In interviews he described the lyrics as carrying personal mission statements and called the album semi-cathartic; he has also said his solo work draws on a love of pop music and R&B.[7](https://www.altpress.com/tilian-pearson-interview-alternative-press-ap-cover) • [8](https://www.altpress.com/tilian-pearson-lyrics-drugs-next-10-years)
**Later solo records.** *Tu Presencia* followed in 2020 and *Factory Reset* in 2021; Pearson said the opening of *Factory Reset* drew on experiences with psychedelics, and that the song "Anthem" was based on a trip he had.[3](https://codamusic.me/artists/tilian/) • [9](https://www.altpress.com/dance-gavin-dance-tilian-pearson-interview-issue-401) *VERTIGO* appeared in 2025, with the singles "GODSEND" and "RECOVER" the same year; earlier singles include "SAVAGES", "Pieces Back Together", and "Angel" in 2024.[3](https://codamusic.me/artists/tilian/)
**Guest work.** In 2019 he recorded "Same Old Song" with The Jon Hill Project, worked with DON BROCO on their track "ACTION", and appeared with Bilmuri on "THEMURIWITHHUMANHAIR".[2](https://www.last.fm/music/Tilian)
## Musical style
As a solo artist Pearson incorporates electropop elements into melodic rock, a deliberately poppier direction compared with his band's technical, heavier palette; in a Dance Gavin Dance interview he explained that in the band he only sings and writes lyrics and melodies, while the solo work let him focus more on songwriting.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860) • [10](https://shop.altpress.com/blogs/news/dance-gavin-dance-afterburner-interview) AllMusic classifies his genres as Pop/Rock with alternative/indie rock, adult alternative pop/rock, and post-hardcore styles.[1](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860)
## References
1. [Tilian – Biography, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-mn0003227860)
2. [Tilian, Last.fm](https://www.last.fm/music/Tilian)
3. [Tilian – Biography, Discography & Albums, Coda Music](https://codamusic.me/artists/tilian/)
4. [Dance Gavin Dance – Bio, Shelter Music Group](https://sheltermusic.com/artist/dance-gavin-dance/)
5. [The two-headed hard rock of Dance Gavin Dance, The Boston Globe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2016/10/05/the-two-headed-hard-rock-dance-gavin-dance/B0D8keBQQZhCDJ4HMkktVO/story.html)
6. [Tilian Pearson – Credits, AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tilian-pearson-mn0002550018)
7. [Tilian Pearson isn't trying to step out of Dance Gavin Dance's shadow, Alternative Press](https://www.altpress.com/tilian-pearson-interview-alternative-press-ap-cover)
8. [Tilian Pearson is "on the spot" regarding lyrics, drugs and his next 10 years, Alternative Press](https://www.altpress.com/tilian-pearson-lyrics-drugs-next-10-years)
9. [Tilian Pearson reveals how taking psychedelics informed 'Factory Reset', Alternative Press](https://www.altpress.com/dance-gavin-dance-tilian-pearson-interview-issue-401)
10. [Here's how Dance Gavin Dance got more experimental on 'Afterburner', Alternative Press](https://shop.altpress.com/blogs/news/dance-gavin-dance-afterburner-interview)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Rock, metal, and popular-band musicians › Emo, post-hardcore, and metalcore*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license