Like No Ones Watching: Trevor James Tillery
- hellflowermedia
- Mar 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Musician/Singer/Song Writer Rating: R www.instagram.com/trevorjamestillery
Stream the new songs Certainly nothing beats an organic discovery of talented musicians, while attending a Phoenix Pholk night event we found ourselves in the captivating presence of Trevor. Putting on an ambient acoustic performance with chilling metaphors and poetic expression through his song writing there was a relatability in his full expression. The bigger challenge was keeping a dry eye during his performance during his captivation, rather than the nervousness as a spectator not knowing whether or not you'll enjoy it. Soothing you through a walk across the psyche, another being sharing familiar emotions, thoughts and situations one finds themselves in the safety of authenticity.
My obsession with music began when I was around 13 years old. I had just started playing guitar and I joined a band in middle school. We remained a band all the way up to graduating high school and were pretty ambitious. Around 18 is when I started writing my own songs and singing. I’d say that is when my passion for music exploded and I knew it was what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life. As a closeted gay boy back then, until I came out at 25, it was my only escape and method to sort out what was going on inside me. It’s hard to pick just one influence but I’m forever inspired by artists who don’t give a shit about trends or competition. They keep their heads down and surface with inspiring art that I can tell is really true to them. I think that’s the stuff that truly resonates and has the most longevity. A few names that come to mind at the moment are Damon Albarn, Caroline Polachek, Bjork, Thom Yorke and Elliot Smith. As an artist, the biggest hurdle is trying to get my music out to the right audience that will appreciate and get it. When I have been successful with it, I’m reminded that there is an audience out there for me and it fuels me to keep going. Unfortunately, it feels more arduous than ever to make that happen. Rarely in the music industry can you find peer support until they’ve done all the work themselves anymore. Everything is DIY for better or worse. My dream is to be able to create and play music full-time but it feels like it may never happen. I wouldn’t say I’ve overcome it by any means other than just trying to shift my attitude around it. I know I’ll always be making and releasing music no matter what, despite how difficult everything else can be. I think my biggest takeaway so far in my music career is to stay in my lane and create what I enjoy and want to hear. I truly believe if you make the art truly for yourself first, the greater it will resonate and translate to others. Whenever I’ve strayed from this is when I’ve made my worse shit.
I also think taking the time to build the team around you is important and don’t settle for people who don’t believe or understand what you’re after is crucial. Whether it’s a producer, other collaborators or on the business side - it’s all important. A major bucket list item for me was getting to meet Zane Lowe and having him premiere two of my songs on his radio show on Apple Music / Beats1. He’s one of the biggest music taste makers in the world as well as one my all-time favorite interviewers. It was really validating to have him say he digs my music. Creating this new album, ‘I Dreamt You Disappeared.’ I feel like for the first time ever, so far, I’ve created exactly what I was going after and got about 98% there. I don’t think I’ll ever get to 100% and that’s the beauty of the pursuit but I feel successful within this stride. Not sure there is a stigma around what I do that I’m aware of. I would say going under my own name can be challenging in terms of people judging the kind of music I make just based on the fact it’s a name and not a band name or moniker. Especially within the music industry, when you’re pitching something or trying to book shows, I feel a certain judgement has already been cast down on me and I have to prove them wrong. My piece of advice for others would be make music because you absolutely love it not because you want to get famous and be content with working other gigs to power your music career. In addition to promoting this new album and playing shows, I’ve already started work on my third album. I hope to follow-up this new album with another one a lot quicker than last time. I’m really excited about the ideas I have so far. I’m hoping to really focus in on writing and do some recording towards the end of the year, we will see.
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