How did you get involved with music?
At a very young age I was exposed to all sorts of musical genres, from Blues, Soul, Rock, Country and Pop. Whatever time of day it was, it didn’t matter, music was always prevalent in my home, whether it was on the radio or my mom singing or rehearsing for the studio. I was always intrigued. It was a natural progression for me to get into music.
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Wow, so many plans so little accessible resources! I really want to make an impact on the masses, I’ve created a decent buzz in the South and now I’d love to grow my exposure all over, US and Internationally. I love the stage and the studio, so I’ll always record and I’m really looking to hook up with some strong promoters in different markets, to book shows. I also have a video in the works, and hopefully that’ll come to y’all soon.
Where do you get your inspiration from when writing your music?
I’m inspired by true life experiences, others and my own, good or bad. You’ve got to experience some of it all, in order to write decent, real lyrics that people can relate to. For example with my song Addict, I was inspired by the club scene, and the competitiveness between myself and other dancers in the clubs. There are times when you’ve got to dive into your imagination and those songs can be fun too, but mostly real life experiences inspire me.
Have you performed live? If so, What is it like performing in front of crowds?
Yes, I have performed live and honestly there is no better feeling in the world than having the audience applaud your work or clap on beat (or off haha) during your performance. Getting the feedback from your performance, your vocals and dancing, is an amazing feeling. Everyone is there own worse critic, so when you put yourself out there like that, its an amazing feeling to have people love and accept it.
What is your next step?
I started my music myspace (myspace.com/tramaynemusic) and I also have a music blog, which is http://www.tramayne.blogdrive.com . I’ve seen what the internet can do for some artists out there and I’m just trying all different avenues to get my music heard. I’m really shopping my music around and trying to get a record deal at this point. I’m trying to start opening for more acts out there already in the market. I also have a possible video for one of my songs in the making so, I’ll keep everyone posted on that.
What have you learned about himself writing and singing music?
I wrote my first full song at 14 or 15 years old, I was on the brink of sleep and I just had this melody in my head. I grabbed a notebook (which I still own) and I just started writing. It just poured out of me, and ever since then I’ve been able to write. I feel a sense of therapy when I write. Like whatever is going on in my head, just comes out of that pen and I feel better. Singing is a release in itself as well, I always get happy singing and I get excited coming up with different harmonies and melodies! I love to take other artist music, on my own time, and coming up with new stuff that I would have loved to hear on their records.
Who if anyone would you say you are similar to when it comes to music?
I don’t think I’m similar to anybody; I definitely have respect and admiration for many different artists out there. I feel as an artist respecting other artists, you sort of emulate them and take things from them and mix it with your own style. You want to maybe escalate what’s hot and develop a newer generation of music, for others to admire. My hope, at the risk of sounding cliché, is that one day my music will touch someone, and they’ll escalate it and make there style hot for there generation as well!
How long have you been doing music and performing?
I’ve been performing my entire life! For me it started with musicals and plays in school and then it kind of took off from there. I attended a performing arts school and we had 3 hours of rehearsal a day, not to mention the countless shows we had to put on, so I was always singing and dancing. My love of singing kind of came from my mother; she was always recording and performing when I was a child, so I was kind of raised in the studio. Music was always in my house and around me, so literally I’ve been doing this since I was a baby! Once I started writing, I just started shopping my music around to different producers and I came across the right one (Rod Wilson) and we just clicked in the studio and made really good music! It is very important to find the right producer for you, because if you don’t click, your music won’t come out the way you want, and that’ll make the whole situation fruitless.
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Right now my music is most popular down in the south and online. I just registered my myspace account 2 months ago and I’ve already got over 1,000 friends. That was a shock in itself, I wasn’t expecting it to do so well, so fast. I also have a blogdrive, that’s been getting linked to and that’s always exciting to see. Just hearing from you guys, made my day as well. I know from all of those things and the calls from the indie labels that my music is getting out there. It’s amazing and I am very grateful for everything right now.
Do you have a job besides music or are you privileged enough to focus strictly on music?
I did have a job but I got into a bad accident in June, so I took leave from that and I’m just refocusing after that. Luckily enough though, I am in a privileged situation where I don’t have to work. I focus all my attention on getting better and my music. I’ve got so many irons in the fire with my music, it takes a lot of my attention away, and I don’t think I would even have time to do anything else.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
5 years from now I hope to be signed and already working in the industry. I’m a very diligent worker and I know that once the ball starts rolling for me, there’s no turning back. I plan to hit the industry hard and keep moving forward from there. Hopefully cross into TV and Movies, Musicals are something that I have always been interested in doing too. I grew up watching some of the best musicals like; My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Grease etc. I would love to make a movie musical or even consider doing Broadway. The possibilities are endless with me, truly.
What is your favorite song and why?
There are too many songs in the world to name which my favorite is, so I’ll mention a few songs right now that I really like. I’m really feeling all of Beyonce’s songs; Déjà vu & Ring the Alarm are on constant rotation on my ipod, as well as Justin Timberlake’s Sexy Back and My Love. I’m also big on Panic at the Disco, The Killers, Ludacris, Robin Thicke, John Mayor, Fergie & Danity Kane. I’m an eclectic music listener; I love everything from Elton John to Keane.
Who are some of your role models in and out of the industry?
Justin Timberlake has been a constant musical role model in my life; I first heard his voice on this CD called a Promo Only, which is like a mix of songs for DJ’s before the music hits radio. Well before his music got here, I heard it and I was like well I don’t know who Nsync is but I love this one guy’s voice, I was like 9 at the time, and from then till now I’ve just admired him as an artist and a performer. I also admire Beyonce, because she’s got an awesome work ethic and she has a very good reputation in the industry. She’s an amazing singer, writer, and dancer, and I’d love to reach her status. Out of the industry, I’d have to say my mom is my biggest role model, she had me young and it’s been me and her from the beginning, I really look up to her and I always will. She’s an amazing person, and I can only hope that I can be like her once I’m a little older and on my own.
Are you receiving the support of the local market in your area?
Yes, as stated before I have received nothing but love and support in the Orlando market. There are times when people have actually stopped me and said, I know your music from online, it’s odd but it’s welcoming. I receive constant emails from people and actually people have been writing into places for me. I was told that if you emailed This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , put a link to my music page and said you wanted to see more of me, they’d put me on TV. Some fans of mine clued me in to this, so I have people who are taking it upon themselves to promote me, and I truly appreciate that.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?
First a foremost I’d love to thank Nine5Four magazine, for taking a chance on a new artist like me and not only reviewing my music, but also interviewing me, this has been an awesome experience, and I thank you. Id also like to thank my producer Rod Wilson, who is based out of Las Vegas, he performs at the Hooters Lounge up there, he’s amazing and you guys in the Vegas area should go and check him out. Id like to thank my family and friends for always sticking by me and going down this journey with me in music, and all the fans out there who email, message, and support me; I truly appreciate all that you’ve done and continue to do, an artist is really nothing without his fans, so thank you for all of your support. I can’t wait to see all of you someday on the road, keep looking out! Check me out at www.myspace.com/tramaynemusic .
