People often talk about musicians needing to “pay their dues” before they deserve success. Truett has paid his many times over; enough to treat himself and ten friends to an all expenses paid trip straight to the top. Sweating it out night after night in blues bars around the South, screaming into the bright lights and cigarette smoke like the ghost of Howlin’ Wolf, soloing until his hands bled hour after hour, roadhouse after roadhouse, mile after mile.
Fast forward to today, Truett has not only developed immensely as an artist, but also as a songwriter and performer, touring all across the US and Europe, supporting the likes of Ron Pope and Jonathan Tyler, and headlining shows of his own. With a debut EP under his belt, he prepares to release his sophomore project, Lies and Lightning, along with a slew of pre-released singles from the 5-song EP.
“This record I focused more on ideas, lyrics and music that I had been carrying with me for a long time. Every song on this record is a story from the road or a struggle that I have dealt with in this industry, I’m very proud of it,” Truett says.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Truett about the latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
I was born and raised in Marietta,Ga just north of Atlanta. It’s always hard to categorize the music I play. It is heavily influenced by blues players, soul singers and southern rock bands I grew up listening to, but doesn’t quite live in one genre specifically. I would describe it as in your face rock and roll with a southern blues flare.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
Ever since I can remember music was my only option, thats all I ever wanted to do. Started playing when I was 10 and knew by 12 that was what I wanted to do for a living. Music was a big part of my life growing up. My father was a big blues and southern rock fan and my mother was always listening to motown and soul, so I was right in the middle of this soulful classic music storm all the time. I was hooked from an early age on some of the greats like The Allman Brothers Band, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Redding, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Marshall Tucker Band, Stevie Wonder, just to name a few.
I was listening to a lot of southern rock and started playing guitar and learning all these old songs I had been listening to.
I was instantly connected to the guitar unlike anything I had experienced thus far. I tried playing all kinds of sports and just never stayed with it, but the guitar was different. I would rush home from school every day and practice guitar for 3-4 hours a day everyday religiously. I was hooked! By the time I was 14 I was playing gigs for money and started to see that I could make a career out of it. By the time I was 18 I was playing several days a week making steady money. From there it was just a constant longing for more, how do I write songs, how do I play more shows, how do I make more money and how do I take it to the next level.To this day, its hard for me to sit still and be content. I am always researching the newest trends in the music scene, artists, venues and platforms. I am always striving and working with my label to find new ways of reaching more audiences.
Playing in front of new audiences and fans is my constant motivation. Seeing everyone’s reaction and hearing the feedback I get about the music I’ve worked so hard to produce makes it all worth and keeps me moving forward.
How is the new release different than the previous ones? We’re you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This release to me feels more organic in the fact that these songs came out so easily. The first EP I felt a lot more pressure. It was my first ep and I struggled with writing the songs and was very worried on how they would be received. My first large project like that one, there is always hesitation and doubt and not much to go on, it was a big leap.
This EP is my second and I had received such a great response I was able to relax a little more in writing and production, because I knew I was headed in the right direction. “Hey people like my music haha” they didn’t hate the last one so I know I’m on the right track.
When I was writing this one, I was on the road and touring and I was so inspired by all of my interactions with new fans and other bands on the road, it just seemed to come out so much easier.On this ep I dug deep into a lot of half written songs and ideas that I had been sitting on for so long. A lot of these songs are about personal experiences and issues I have dealt with in life and also in my career as an artist. I wanted to put out a record that I would be just as proud of as the first and people would enjoy. I think I have accomplished that thus far.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated digital music age? How has technology helped you(since we know it does help)?
It is hard to name just one or two haha. This industry is so different from what it used to be and it is changing every day. A lot of people that aren’t in the industry have an image that it is all “sex drugs and rock and roll” and its all fun cause you love doing it. At the independent level it is far from it ha. It is a lot of fun yes and it’s very rewarding at times, but those rewards do not come without long endless amounts of work, blood, sweat and tears.
Every dime that you make in this industry is because of 1,000 other things that you had done previously days, months, years prior to. I work a 40 a hour a week day job and 40 hours a week in between on music, just so I can afford to go out and play music and fund my music career. I am thankful to have Brooklyn Basement Records in my corner and the team there. They are always working tirelessly on my behalf, but they will tell you as well, being an Indie label there’s no handbook out there that tells you how to navigate this industry ha. We’re all learning and growing and constantly looking for new ways to advance in this business.
Technology definitely helps in a lot of ways. In my opinion one of the best resources it provides is the ability to get new content directly in the hands of fans. Literally right in there hands in an instant you can have new content information and updates. That is the coolest part about having social media right there on your phone. So you can connect and communicate with your fans at all times, I think that is a priceless amenity we take for granted.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
You can find me on most all of the social media sites as well as anywhere you can find music:
Search Truett or TruettOfficial on:
- Spotify
- Itunes
- Google Play
- Amazon
