Tripp Spears – The Interview

When you come across an artist that is new to you, it’s easy to tell where they are in their career. Many EPs and a lot of previous tour dates could indicate they’ve been playing music publically for a while. Tripp Spears is still in the early stages of his career. After attending college and holding many different job titles, he has realized now is the time to get serious about his music. He recently re-released his first EP, Change Everything on iTunes that was originally released in 2005.

This summer has marked an important milestone in what he hopes to be a long and prosperous career. This is the first time he has been on tour. Playing with long-time friend Ryan Dunson (who is in Rookie of the Year) all over the US on the “Coast into Summer” tour brought him luckily, into my neck of the woods, and I know an opportunity when I see it.

I sat down to talk with the Georgia native on a hot Tuesday night in Arizona. After a 3-song set (which was terrific and only the start of his evening performance. He had a full set later on that night at The Nile Underground) at an open mic night at the Goathead Saloon. I gave him the chance to go into detail about his music, and what goes on inside his head and heart. He claims he is an open book, and is ready to be himself for once.  It’s a beautiful thing, watching an artist grow and mature personally and musically. We here at IMR are excited to watch his journey unfold before our eyes.

Join us will you?

KC: For the readers of IMR, introduce yourself and tell us how long you have been playing music?

TS: I’m Tripp Spears; I’m 27 years old and have been playing since I was 16. I started playing just by writing poetry and met some people that really inspired me to pick up a guitar. Now I’m on the road, I’m experiencing what it’s all about to be a musician.

KC: Since you’ve been playing since you were sixteen, are there any songs you played back then that you still play today?

TS: A majority of the songs. I mix in the new techniques I’ve learned, and I really enjoy playing the older songs because that’s my root of everything. It all started with a girl and then it changed into a girl in every situation, whether it’s my mom, an ex-girlfriend or my grandmother. These things all played a big role in my life so I started off with a solo project called Saving Her. “Her” doesn’t have to represent a female, but it did for every chapter in my life.  But “her” could represent anything that makes you who you are or anything that you want to hold onto.

KC: How did you get to play with Rookie of the Year?

TS: Rookie of the Year, (Ryan Dunson) played a couple of house shows when I was in a band with Andy Albert, he’s now in Bonaventure. He got me introduced to Ryan playing at some dive bar in Atlanta. I was so young and I looked up to Ryan and that’s where I got my influence. We continued our contact and I booked him a few shows while I was in college.

KC: Do you find it’s easier to write songs on the road or while you’re at home?

TS: It really doesn’t matter. If something sparks an interest with me, I’ll write it down. I also enjoy free-styling a lot, and making up songs on the spot for people that give me ideas. That’s something I want to try on the road, but haven’t done it yet. Writing songs really is just a personal experience, the majority of it. I don’t know, if something catches my eye I’ll write about it. I’ve upset so many people through my actions and I want to apologize in so many different ways, and I feel like with my music I can. Maybe they don’t understand it, or maybe they don’t even realize it but the majority of my songs are an apology to the people I care about.

KC: That brings us to your Change Everything EP…

TS: Change Everything EP! I just got it in iTunes again. It came out back when I was on MTV’s Room Raiders. I thought I would be famous by being on that show and here I am, I’m not. I’m not that person. But all those songs on that EP were either conversations, or thoughts or feelings through my college careers. I did a song called, “Don’t Go,” which was for my ex-girlfriend who really inspired me to pursue music.  I’m still learning. Change Everything is a 5 song EP, and I was blessed enough to work with Matt Malpass and Jeff Malpass in Atlanta. They kind of nailed it. They really understood where I was coming from; my influences as far as The Spill Canvas, Taking Back Sunday and even Dashboard Confessional. Everyone can relate to the songs. Whether you like a girl, there’s a song called “Song for Her” (it’s a good make out song he jokes). That was a chapter in my life. I also have a new EP called, Alphie and Linda. Alphie is my real name; Alphie Lee Spears III, is like triple so you can call me Tripp. It was for my dad and mom. Before I left to go on tour it was an apology to them. It was me being myself for once. Not putting on an act, not putting on a front for anyone else. Just playing music for what it is.

KC: So what’s next? Is Alphie and Linda finished?

TS: I did it on Garage Band. The new EP I haven’t finalized it. I did it to have fun, see where it took me but I plan on doing more. I just recorded a piano song called, “Downtown Lover” in Missouri, and Ryan from Rookie of the Year sings on that. We’re actually going back on the way from here, we’ll stop and do a few more songs and hopefully I can put out another EP.

KC: Cool. One last thing, what would you want to tell the readers of IMR?

TS: I’m trying to be, I’m not trying I am a good person whether I’ve upset you or inspired you. As a musician I want to be real, and not put on a front and say “Hey this is my music”. I want to say this is me as an individual, this is me as a human being that has experienced a lot and goes through emotions just like everyone else.

KC: Thank you for your time!

TS: Thank You guys!

Spears will be playing until the end of July on the “Coast into Summer” tour so check for dates and stop by and say Hello! He is one of the most open and honest musicians out there, which is so refreshing. It was a pleasure to be able to sit and talk to someone who truly appreciates everyone who gives his music a listen. I can’t wait to hear what’s next!

Album Name: Change Everything
Date Released: Re- release (May, 2012)
Genre(s): Singer/Songwriter, Acoustic
Location: Macon, Georgia
Band Members: Tripp Spears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrippSpearsMusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrippSpears
Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/trippspears

About Kerriann Curtis

I need to be where the music is, it's as simple as that.

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