Based out of Texas, Troy Ogletree is a pop recording artist who recently released his debut single, Let Me Down. Through his honest lyrics, he emphasizes positivity, being authentic, staying true to who you are, and above all making you think. Troy is also an actor who stars in the film The Walking Deceased, which is now available on Netflix and on DVD in Walmart and Redbox.
In this interview spotlight, we chat with Troy about music, influences, and more.
Full Q&A, links, and the video for Let Me Down below. The single is now on iTunes and Spotify.
Let’s dive a little deeper into you, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?
I’ve always been drawn to upbeat tracks that you know people can jam out to, but that still contain those intricate/weird sounds that keep it from being just another stock pop song. Styles like twenty one pilots, Drake, The Chainsmokers, Jack Ü, even to guys like Troye Sivan influenced the style that I like, and Brandon’s production on Let Me Down has those accents that I feel bring it to another level and showcase its uniqueness.
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
I got the courage to actually start sharing covers and some remixes on YouTube my sophomore year of college (2014), but had been writing since early on in high school. Since then I’ve been releasing covers and my first original EP in February of 2015, and I have a new EP is coming this fall of 2016.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
Two of my biggest writing influences have been twenty one pilots and Chlidish Gambino. The songs that I always gravitate toward are personal ones that make you feel like you’re in the artists head, seeing what they see and feeling what they feel, and I feel like both of those artists do that really well which inspires me to do it myself. Writing is my favorite part of creating a song, and usually it comes late at night when I’m alone and it’s just still, and all those thoughts start pouring into my head. But sometimes is just comes when Brandon and I are creating a beat and I just feel whatever it sparks in my head. The most important thing that keeps me going besides the actual love for creating is knowing the people I’m influencing and effecting, particularly younger kids who are probably going through what I’ve written about. It’s all about the connection with people and what it can do to help them.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
For “Let Me Down” it was really just introducing this new sound that I had never done before and preparing people for what’s to come on the new EP. From the start, we kept our minds open to all sounds and just made what came naturally to us, and for this first single we wanted to welcome everyone to this world we created.
What was the last song you listened to?
Heathens – twenty one pilots
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I wish I could claim hipster and say I only listen to vinyls on my record player, but honestly I only have 3 vinyls (although I do want to continue to build my collection). I’m pretty true to my millennial companions in that I listen to most of my stuff on iTunes/Spotify, but when it’s an artist I really like or album I’m a huge fan of I’ll get it on CD or vinyl.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I always switch between iTunes and Spotify. I love investing in artists/albums that inspire me and that I really want to support and see succeed, so I buy a lot of albums on iTunes. But Spotify is good for discovering new music and being able to listen to pretty much any song whenever you want. There are perks to both.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
I think one of the toughest things is just getting people to pay attention to someone they haven’t heard of before. Everyone always wants to hear new stuff from Bieber, Drake, Rihanna, and all those major stars (as they should, they’re all incredibly talented). So I think the biggest challenge is packaging your song to stand out from everyone else who’s trying to do the same thing. It’s more than just having a great song today, you have to provide a full experience and world for the listener to get lost in.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
As an independent artist, it’s been tough to get a tour going so far, but I’m planning on it for the future. I do live streams through Twitter and am starting to Periscope so I can answer questions about the new music and future plans. Getting a couple shows lined up in Los Angeles in time for the EP release, so LA people stay posted with me on social media for those shows!
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
All of my original music is on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, etc., but for covers and music videos you can subscribe to my YouTube channel. On social media I always try to respond and interact as much as I can on Twitter and Snapchat.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Just want to thank you guys for featuring the song on your blog and helping me get the word out about it. The independent artist grind is tough but it’s people like y’all that make it possible. Also huge shout out to my producer Brandon Phillips (who you’re going to be hearing a lot of very soon), and everyone who gave notes on the track to help shape it to what it turned out to be. I guess any words of wisdom I have are if you’re trying to be an artist or musician or anything really, you just have to keep grinding every single day no matter how discouraging it can be. If you believe in your craft and what you’re doing, other people will too eventually.
