Interview With Trent Langley

Where are you from?
Dallas, TX – Currently Reside in Austin, TX
Members and their instruments?
Solo Project, Multi-Instrumentalist
What genre do you consider yourself? Why?
Indie/Alt – I come from a technical background in music and production, so I tend to focus entirely on producing everything on my own, which is one reason I tend to see myself as an independent artist . That’s not to say I don’t enjoy working with other people or collaborating, I’ve just recently found that I work better on my own at the moment.
How long have you been proforming?
This solo project is 2 years old
What brought you to this project?
Departing other bands to start working on my solo music
What drew you to music?
Well I grew up in a musical household, we had an instrument in just about every room in the house; so it wasn’t uncommon for there to be a guitar or left-handed bass in someones hands. haha
What are some of your most influential bands? Why?
Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Steve Reich, Tame Impala, Blind Melon, and Pearl Jam
What was your first song?
The first song I ever learned to play on the guitar was Lithium, by Nirvana.
What is your song writing process?
This can vary but I tend to notice that the songs that I enjoy the most (and actually finish haha) are the ones that come about whenever I’m just messing around and not trying so much. I just happen to enjoy sitting on an instrument without having any expectations but sometimes something just clicks, at that point I’ll be recording the idea on my iPhone ASAP.
How has your music evolved since you began playing together?
I’d say studying to be an audio engineer through college helped me exponentially in producing my own work.
What songs do you perform the most often?
There is a track called Appealing that I released in 2016 that I start every show with! It helps me break the ice on stage every time, It’s my comfort song.
Do you play any covers?
I’ve played a few over the last year or so! The latest being Give Up the Ghost by Radiohead, it’s a tough one because it requires looping my vocals on stage but I think i’ve got it down! haha
Do you have a set play list?
I do not, it typically varies and I come up with it the day of the show.
Is there a secret meaning in any of your music?
I wouldn’t say so, I try to write lyrics that sit little below the surface so I can relate with whoever listens to my songs.
What is your favorite part of working in music?
Either coming up with “that” new thing to work on or post production, I love mixing.
What is your least favorite part of working in music?
Probably song structure, I can get pretty worked up when I can’t find out where a song needs to go. haha I feel like the more I do it though, the more it comes natural.
Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety? If so how?
Yes, that first time I played my solo set live I nearly left the show before going on because my hands were shaking and cold! (That’s when I learned that Appealing is my comfort song), I felt great after that.
How old were you when you started playing your instrument?
7?
How do you describe your music to people?
“Solo stuff” haha
What image do you hope your music conveys?
Joy! I just have so much fun with it and hope that people can see that and feed off of it.
Where have you performed?
I’ve performed in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, New Orleans, Taos, NM, and Las Vegas, NM! Pretty much the Southwest!
Do you have any up coming shows?
Not at the moment, working on a batch of songs right now!
What is your greatest achievement to date?
I got to open for one of my favorite Australian bands, The Babe Rainbow last year!
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a band?
Consistency.
Are you happy with the current success of your band?
Yes
What is the ultimate direction for your band?
I’d love to get to a point where I can work with other people in this project, I don’t see it as a solo project forever, I’d love to play with a full band live.
What steps have you taken to get there?
I try to collaborate with people in town and online a lot.
What steps do you still have to do?
Writing more material
How do you feel about the internet and the music business?
It’s pretty shifty! I’d say that it’s still very important as a songwriter to get out and play shows as much as possible. I’m still trying to get the hang of marketing myself online.
What is your favorite concert you’ve attended?
That’s always a tough one, I just saw slowdive this last year at Levitation and that was something else!
What do you do besides music?
I’ve been dabbling here and there with painting recently
What is something you would like to tell your younger self?
Don’t try so much to sound like anyone else, be yourself
What is your favorite song? (not by your band)
Desert Island Disk – Radiohead
What do you wish you spent more time doing 5 years ago?
Playing acoustic guitar
What advice do you have others wanting to start their own bands?
Find out what it is that you bring to the table and be the best at it. Don’t try to be someone else.
Any last words?
Keep it between the ditches ya’ll – Shannon Hoon