With his remarkable new release, “Under the shooting stars,” instrumental rock aficionado Trojan Red is back to launch his 2023 catalog in an exuberant manner. The seven-track album spans a wide range of sonic landscapes and explores new creative themes for Trojan Red. The tragic loss of a close relative served as Trojan’s divine inspiration for this album; in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed by his agonizing grief, Trojan used his music to express these intense, raw emotions. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
TROJAN RED: Well, I come from a town called Duarte in California. I was a drummer in a hardcore punk band named Cracked Fashion, and we used to have band practice, hammering away at our instruments in my garage. We were a local band.
2. Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
TROJAN RED: I took guitar lessons briefly at the church I attend.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘TROJAN RED’?
TROJAN RED: Probably bands like Shadows Fall and As I Lay Dying were my first favorite music influences. ‘Trojan Red’ is a name I came up with as a project to alleviate some depression I’ve had recently due to my father passing away. I wanted the title to reflect mankind’s achievements in general and celebrate overcoming victory, but I also wanted to show that it comes with sacrifice and despair, much like that of a falling empire.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
TROJAN RED: I feel that sound is like therapy, and it can do wonders if used correctly. I would say my sound is impactful and meant to tell a story, but not just to the ears, but to the soul of a person.
5. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
TROJAN RED: I feel like I have achieved what I set out to do.
6. Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
TROJAN RED: I think what inspired me to create this album was the knowledge that if I put out some of my ideas, I would feel like I could get out of bed in the morning and keep going. I just have a guitar, and I express what I think I need to express using just my guitar.
7. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
TROJAN RED: Probably the loss of family and growing up in the “real world” as a young man.
8. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud, or significant point in your life or music career so far
TROJAN RED: I find that my music career has been a journey, and the new experiences along the way have brought me to a point of fulfillment.
9. With social media having a significant impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and naysayers? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
TROJAN RED: I just ignore all that and focus on the things that matter to me.
10. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
TROJAN RED: I’ve decided not to play shows but instead to use this project as a personal avenue for self-healing. If it helps others, then I am grateful for that.
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