Pearson began his music career as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the progressive rock band Tides of Man, releasing an extended play and two studio albums before leaving in 2010.

After parting ways with Tides of Man, Pearson briefly joined the American rock bands Saosin and Emarosa following the departure of their respective vocalists, however never released any material with the groups.

He has appeared on numerous other musical groups and artists' songs including Our Last Night's 2018 cover of "Better Now" by Post Malone, Don Broco's 2019 single "Action" alongside Tyler Carter, Taka Moriuchi, and Caleb Shomo, and Adventure Club's 2021 single "Drive".

Since Pearson's departure, Tides of Man has become an instrumental and progressive rock band consisting of little-to-no vocal use in their recent material.

[3] Following the announcement of Pearson's departure from Tides of Man in December 2010, the singer revealed that he was working on material with American post-hardcore band Saosin.

[4] The album with Pearson never came to fruition due to his commitments to touring with Emarosa and forming his band Archives.

In April 2011, American post-hardcore band Emarosa announced the departure of their lead vocalist Jonny Craig.

Despite the fact that Pearson was in the midst of recording his full-length album Material Me (2013), he subsequently became a permanent member.

The band embarked on The Acceptance Speech Tour on April 16 in Seattle, Washington, and concluded on May 17, 2014, in Denver, Colorado.

On September 14, 2014, it was announced that the band was to headline the annual Rise Records tour beginning on November 16 in Seattle.

The tour concluded in Santa Cruz, California, on December 7, 2014, with supporting acts SECRETS, Alive Like Me, and Defeat The Low.

In 2017, the group embarked on a co-headlining North American tour with progressive rock band CHON in February and March 2017.

On March 23, 2018, the band announced Artificial Selection, revealing the album cover art and track listing.

[27] In February 2020, the band announced their ninth studio album, Afterburner, and released its lead single "Prisoner", along with its accompanying music video.

[29] The live album was accompanied with a concert streaming event where the group performed a fan voted setlist on the Tower Bridge in Sacramento, California, which was broadcast on December 19.

On June 3, 2022, the band announced lead vocalist Tilian Pearson will be "stepping away to seek professional help" following multiple sexual assault allegations made against him.

[36] Tilian Pearson released his debut full-length studio album, Material Me, on March 18, 2013, through Vital Records.

[37] On June 29, 2015, Pearson announced that he would be entering the studio and recording new material with producer Kris Crummett on September 1.

[43] On August 21, 2015, rock band Slaves released their second studio album, Routine Breathing, which consists of the song "Winter Everywhere", featuring a guest vocal appearance from Pearson.

[45] On June 22, 2017, Tilian premiered the song "Lines That Burn", which originally was planned to be the lead single from his upcoming third solo studio album.

[50] On August 29, 2017, American post-hardcore band I the Mighty released the single "Silver Tongues", accompanied with a music video, featuring Tilian on vocals.

[51] On June 22, 2018, Tilian announced a solo headlining tour, which took place from August 23 to September 23, 2018, with support from American rock bands Royal Coda and Sunsleep.

On July 10, 2018, American rock band Our Last Night released a studio cover of Post Malone's 2018 single "Better Now", featuring Tilian and drummer Luke Holland.

[55] He embarked on The Skeptic US tour, from July 26 to August 22, 2019, with support from Landon Tewers of The Plot In You, Brent Walsh of I the Mighty and RVLS.

guitarist and singer Johnny Franck's solo project Bilmuri's song "THEMURIWITHHUMANHAIR" and his cover of "Graveyard" by Halsey.

Originally, the 22-date tour was planned to span from February 25 to March 26, 2022, with support from Royal Coda, Tillie, and Moxy.

On his debut studio album, Material Me, he focused the production more towards a synth-pop driven style with elements of R&B, rock and soul.