Tristan Tritt – Cause It’s Mine

By starrymag | May 1, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your music and lyrics?

 

A) It’s hard to describe my music as one particular thing (genre-wise); however, I would say that I lean more into the side of Alternative rock, simply based on the fact that a lot of my songs contain analog instruments and quite a bit of distortion behind them. When it comes to my lyrics, I have more of an open-ended style of writing, where I like to give just enough information to make something flow, but you’re not quite sure what (or who) the song is really about. I love songs where the lyrics tell a direct story, but my style gives a bit of that responsibility to the listener.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I was born in 1999, so there was certainly a massive shift in the music of that day. I really clung onto the “hitmakers” of the 2000’s like OutKast, Kid Cudi, Linkin Park, etc. I also have a deep amount of respect for the late 60’s and early 70’s rock, which really changed the entire world of music. You can certainly tell during my live shows that I am influenced by the showmanship and stage presence from artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Scott Weiland, Chris Robbinson and so much more.

 

Q) Since you grew up in a country music family and were influenced by that sound, was there a pivotal moment that turned your passion for music to rock? 

 

A) I was always a fan of the guitar. It looked cool, it sounded cool, it was cool. What style it was playing didn’t matter to me. Chet Atkins, Waylon, Jerry Reed – all great pickers. Country music guitar playing is no joke, so I have nothing but respect for folks who can play that style. The whole genre itself is truly a beautiful world. Rock just seemed to have more piss and vinegar, which was more alluring to me. It’s been that way ever since.

 

Q) I recently interviewed your sister Tyler Reese Tritt, and she had some great advice that your father, Travis, shared with her prior to becoming a singer. Did he impart any words of wisdom to you in a similar way? 

 

A) My father and I have an incredible relationship. Since I started doing music in 2020, he has been nothing but supportive and incredibly wise, especially when it comes to the business side of things. He has always encouraged me to go with my gut and ask the right questions in order to learn as much as I possibly can. My conversations with him are some of the valuable things I have in my life.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Cause It’s Mine.”

 

A) “Cause it’s Mine” was written alongside Jerry Fuentes and Kelly Paige, both of which are incredibly skilled songwriters. I guess for me a lot of the song is derived from an old Hunter S. Thompson quote, where he describes the music industry (I recommend looking it up). There are a lot of people in the entertainment world who want to change you and your style, simply so they can feel a part of something. It’s great if the advice is actually helpful, but oftentimes it can be driven by ego and greed. “Cause It’s Mine” is a way of me poking fun at those types of people, while saying over and over again how I’m not giving into the status quo.

 

Q) With the track out now and you being on tour, are you getting great fan response?

 

A) As time goes on and more people are being exposed to the song and the response has been incredible to see. A ton of people have told me how much they love the energy and aggression behind the music as it builds up. I will never get tired of seeing people jamming out to a song with my voice on it. It’s a trip!

 

Q) What is your songwriting process? 

 

A) Typically, I like to build a melody first and then try andbuild up the chorus for the song first. For me, it just seems much easier to fill in the blank spaces once the foundation for the entire song has been set. Having a great producer in the room has been a game changer for me, also. A producer who is really proficient in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can really broaden your musical canvas, while still keeping you on task with the song you are trying to complete.

 

Q) Do you create the lyrics first and then follow with the melodies? 

 

A) Always the chorus first.

 

Q) Who produced these tracks and do you like to get behind the board as well?

 

A) Jerry Funetes from the Bandoleros and Steele Fountain has produced my last few songs. When it comes to getting behind the board, let’s just say I try to leave that to the professionals. I’m about as good of an engineer as I am a basketball player… I suck at both.

Q) Is “Cause It’s Mine” a prelude to the album or EP or are you focusing on singles?

 

A) I am focusing now on completing my first EP, but singles are still king in the music world (at least for now). Creating a compilation of songs that all coincide is still something that I really enjoy doing and I hope to do it on a much larger scale in the near future. That being said, if you’re on a tight budget and need to get out a lot of songs every few weeks, I would stick with singles.

 

Q) Tell me about being on tour and some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations significant?

 

A) I love touring in general, simply because every town and city I’ve been to has its own unique identity and vibe. I don’t necessarily have a “favorite” place, just as long as the people in attendance are ready to party once we hit the stage.

 

Q) Any goals to collaborate with other artists on a song in the future?

 

A) I’m a very goal-oriented person, so the list would be incredibly long, but I definitely want to collaborate with as many different artists as possible. If the vibe is right and they’re open minded, I don’t care what genre the artist is in.

 

Q) What artist/musician are you listening to right now?

 

A) Recently I’ve been challenging myself to listen to an entire album every single day, specifically ones that I am not familiar with. Yesterday I listened to Gary Clark Jr’s newest LP entitled JPEG RAW, which is absolutely incredible. If it’s a good artist (old or new) I’m going to be listening to them.

 

Q) You have a great Instagram. Is social media something you enjoy and why is it an important way for you to connect with fans? 

 

A) I love using social media as a way to show the fans how I am behind the curtain. I pride myself on being an unapologetic goofball, so most of the things I post are rooted in sarcasm or just pure absurdity. Thankfully, my fans appreciate this about me and it helps me connect with them in a more genuine way.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the music that you make?

 

A) My upcoming EP is entitled What Are We Doing and I am planning on having it released before summertime. It is something that I am incredibly proud of and I cannot wait for everyone to hear what I’ve been working on these last few months.