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growing popularity of Black music is unstoppable. New Black artists are
expanding the scope of the Black music genre by mixing elements of
various music styles with beautiful lyrics. One of these new generations
of artists is Triston Brewer, an African-American who left the
US
for
Europe
and now resides in
Berlin
. AFRITOPIC had an interesting chat with Triston in
Berlin
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Afritopic: When
did you develop interest in music?
Triston: I was
interested in classical music and wanted to sing opera. As a youngster,
I participated in children singing competition, in which I was the only
Black that sung opera. Initially, I chose classical music as my major in
college. Later, I was advised to drop the subject as a major. The
argument was that there are more opportunities in other music areas than
in the classical music for Blacks in the
USA
. After college, I
decided to move in the direction of what I like doing. I got engagements
with different theatre groups, in which I did more of acting than
singing. In order to begin my career as a musician and vocalist, I moved
to the east coast where I joined Hip Hop groups as a singer. I later
moved to the west coast, got a contract with an independent music label
and started singing for Rap and Rock groups. By working with diverse
music groups, I was able to gain experience both as lyricist and
vocalist. I was also able to work with people with diverse music
backgrounds in many states in the
US
. But I wanted more.
So, I decided to travel to
Europe
.
Afritopic: You
decided to travel to and work in
Europe
?
How was your experience preparing for and on arriving in
Europe
?
Triston: My
decision to travel to
Europe
involved some preparation. I went through the procedure of
applying for and obtaining entry visa to
Europe
. I checked for
accommodation possibilities for the duration of my stay there. Moreover,
I had to give up the contract with the music label for an environment
that I am not very familiar with. Some of my friends expressed their
concern and were of the opinion that I was taking too much risk. Looking
back today, I never regretted taking the decision. Despite all the
risks, uncertainties and difficulties that I experienced, I would do it
all over again if I were in the same situation. On arriving in
Europe
, I visited some
countries and eventually stayed to work in
Barcelona
,
Spain
. In
Spain
, I performed at
various events and built up contacts within the local music scene.
Unfortunately, I had to leave
Spain
. Some people from
the
Middle East
living in
Spain
started rioting and
attacking Americans when the
US
started war against
Iraq
. I was also
attacked. I realized that the antagonism against Americans was growing
and my life could be in danger. continue>
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| Triston
Brewer |
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| I
thought of moving either to
Britain
or
Germany
. I made up my mind
to leave for
Germany
.
Germany
, next to
Britain
, has a big market
for Black music, I believe. In
Germany
, I got in contact
with an American, who was the proprietor of a Jazz club in
Stuttgart
called Logo.
I performed in the Jazz club for a while before forming my own band
after four months in
Europe
. With my own band, I
started creating and experimenting with my own type of music. |
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Afritopic: Why
did you choose to stay in
Spain
?
Triston: I
attended Greenhill, which is one of the best private schools in
Dallas
,
Texas
. Foreign languages
were taught at early stage and I learnt Spanish. My knowledge of the
language helped me later when I came to
Europe
and stayed in
Spain
for a while. Though
the people spoke with local accent and tone that were not familiar to
me, I could understand them and make myself understandable within a
short period of time. I try to learn the language spoken in the country
where I live. I am now learning the German language because I am living
in
Germany
.
Afritopic: As
an African-American living now in Europe, which differences do see
between
Europe
and the
USA
?
Triston: There
are a lot of differences between
Europe
and the
USA
regarding the music
scene and the attitude of the people to Black music, artists and people
of African descent in general. In the
USA
, people of colour
are seen as Blacks irrespective of their places of origin. The skin
colour is a big issue in my country, the
USA
. In
Europe
, though I am more
aware of my colour than in the
US
, the people I have
met were usually interested to know where I come from. They tried to
engage in conversations with me and showed interest in my work as a
music artist; I am not seen as just “Black”. Another difference
between
Europe
and the
US
is in the music
business. Generally speaking, the Europeans tend to adhere longer to a
music style and keep the loyalty to their favourite music stars. Black
music in
Germany
is already a big
market and it continues to grow. There are opportunities for new
artists. Black music including Rap and Hip Hop is trendy. However, the
TV music channels portray a one-sided image of African-Americans. Due to
the music videos, many people in
Germany
believe that all
African-Americans are from the Ghettos, uneducated, wearing baggies and
speaking only ghetto slang or the Rap/Hip Hop English. This is a wrong
image projection. A high percentage of African-Americans are well
educated and speak excellent English. I am happy of what Blacks have
achieved in the music industry and the impact of Rap/Hip hop on the
fashion business. It is also nice to see young people all over
Europe
fascinated by the Hip Hop fashion and buy them. But they should
understand that a Black music artist does not necessarily have to be
born and grow up in the ghettos. As I mentioned earlier, I went to one
of the best schools in
Texas
and have a very good
college education. I do not have to change my profile in order to be
successful as a music artist. I do not have to change my lifestyle or
taste for fashion. It is important for me to be myself and be at peace
with myself. This is my philosophy. continue>
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| Triston
Brewer
performing live |
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Afritopic: The
music
business is tough and highly competitive. How do you cope with
rejections and disappointments?
Triston: I have gone through various personal and family
problems in my life. Some of these problems are so critical, that I
would not wish anyone including my worst enemies to experience them. I
have been able to resolve and survive all the problems. Now I am focused
on my music. I am motivated to write and compose songs. Most of my
lyrics are from my personal experience, feelings and the way I perceive
things. I am aware that it is not easy to be successful as an artist.
Most music artists can not make a living from their music. Like in any
other professions, most music artists have to take rejections. In fact
everyone has to take rejection in one form or the other. Whenever I am
rejected by a producer or someone in the music business, I do not sink
into depression. I simply look for another opportunity. I am ready to
take rejections. Rejections do not make me give up. If you give up on
yourself, you cannot expect other people to believe in you. Though, I
never knew my biological father, but in my family I was brought up to
believe in myself. And I believe in myself, in my talent as well as my
competence. I also listen to people’s opinion and what they say about
me and my music. By listening to people, I learn more about myself and
people’s perception about me. It is quite interesting that I get to
know different aspects of
America
and African-Americans through discussions with
people here in
Europe
.
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| Triston
Brewer about
to perform |
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Afritopic: How
optimistic are you about achieving your goal?
Triston: I know
what I want and what I do not want. I want to be a music artist and I am
determined to be successful in my own way. When I talk about success, I
am not talking in terms of huge financial or material success. It is
about being happy with my work and having people accept my music and
acknowledge my talent. I am happy to meet different people from diverse
backgrounds and learn new things almost daily. I feel I am in a
multicultural society that is not divided simply into Black and White
communities. This is where I want to be. In a couple of years from now,
I see myself performing on stages in
Africa
, Scandinavian
countries,
Asia
and the rest of the
world. I am on the right track now. I am optimistic about achieving my
goal.
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Afritopic: How
would you profile yourself in your own words?
Triston:
“Known for his explosive lyric delivery and booty shaking beats,
electro-soul singer/songwriter Triston Brewer has earned a cult
following at performances
throughout
west Germany
. This experience
moving crowds in clubs shines on Triston´s second solo effort,
``Believe in Music``, on Low Sky Records. Produced by Düsseldorf-based
producer DJ Digolo, ``Believe in Music`` butters Triston`s lush soul
vocals over Digolo´s electro-house beats. Triston´s delivery and
lyrics on the new album are peppered with elements of house, R&B,
rock, and hip-hop but with themes of revenge, survival, lust and
heartbreak he turns electro into soul. continue>
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The
title track, ``Believe in Music``, was a BeSonic number one hit on
the house charts for several weeks. An autobiographical song about the
power of music to heal and inspire, it combines sad keyboards with a
beat that pulls us along. Triston´s crooning echoes blues legends as he
begs the listener to understand that the music saved his soul. ``Groove
Theory`` is a hot and sweaty track that is destined to be a club anthem.
The dizzying drone of the organ mixed with Triston´s distant vocals
describe a steamy scene of rising temperatures, instant attraction, and
the decision to follow the desires of lust. ``Revenge`` is an open
letter to a departed lover declaring that success over rejection is the
ultimate victory.
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Always
on the for another musical challenge, Triston moved to
Germany
in the fall of 2003
to experiment with house and electro. Shortly after meeting DJ Digolo in
Düsseldorf, the two began a whirlwind of collaborations which
culminated in their first album together, ``Soul House Sessions`` and
the launch of their new record label, Low Sky Entertainment. ``Soul
House Sessions`` traces Triston`s musical roots beginning with
traditional R&B, moving through house and hip-hop to end up with
light jazz intonations. ``Soul House Sessions`` exploded with live
performances around
west Germany
. Following quickly
on the heels of the success of ``Soul House Sessions``, the duo recorded
``Believe in Music`` in April 2004.
Fall 2004 has Triston once again in a city open to his eclectic style as
he seeks to carve a space in the
Berlin
music scene. Triston
plans to continue defining
the
electro-soul sound in the forthcoming single ``Shattered``. He hopes to
collaborate with other innovative artists in
Berlin
as well as write for
and produce other ground-breaking artists.“
Afritopic
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