Mike T and The Swagger

Singer-songwriter Mike Trevino begins to discover newer sounds thanks to technology.

Take, for instance, his introduction to electronic music while attending Ohio State University, when a local dj agreed to create some music for a project Mike was working on and his dream of songwriting quickly began to take shape.

“I was thoroughly impressed and engaged with everything the dj was doing, call it the crash course into computer/music capabilities,” Trevino says. “But I wanted to make sounds I hadn't heard yet. The dj told me I could either sample and do the normal, or begin with different and original sounds that would take more time to develop." Trevino, however, found a way to be efficient and original. That’s because his brain already heard the sounds and with the computer's help they were able to create them quickly.

Since moving to Austin in 1998, the San Antonio native began to earnestly chase his ambition of performing his music. Recently, he released his sophomore album, "It Won't Come Off This Way" with producer J_Dub and SpyJetZero records. The two worked a homegrown electronic/industrial sound that presented itself differently with each song.

Recorded at Austin’s SunRoom studios, Trevino's album contains songs such as, “Lay of the Land,” which the artist describes as a feel good song with a fresh electronic vibe, and “All the Earth,” a ballad for people, he says, "who should remember that you've got someone who loves you, wink." "Monumental" is a song worth remembering and will be remixed by DJ EzMa. At the moment, Trevino is working on promoting this his second CD, which contains ten originally written songs that were released in January 2013.

Trevino also gets a thrill out of performing in front of an audience and doesn’t shy away when opportunity knocks, be it the Ingenuity Festival, NYC Pridefest 2012, music venues around Austin, or his current gig on the fourth Friday at the War Horse in downtown Austin on fifth street. “I'm starting to sing out more and like to see people mixing and mingling during my show,” he says, “and when you see smiles, and you smile back, it’s awesome to feel that connection with people.”

Trevino finds inspiration to write songs based on good story telling that people can relate to. “Telling a good story with a sweet beat makes life fun and allows people to escape for forty five minutes," he says with a smile. Trevino will continue to concentrate on his music career and performing. “I just want to keep creating and uncovering great music," he says. “It’s an outlet that connects music to people's everyday lives. So let's do it and see where it takes me.”

In retrospect, Trevino believes a great awakening happened to him when the dj created a sound that he had always envisioned, and it motivated him to pursue his music dreams. Now, "I get to play the music I love with my bandmates The Swagger. It is an amazing journey, and I'm grateful to be living it,” he says.

For more information, visit http://trevinome.wix.com/miketntheswagger. Trevino's album is available for download purchase on iTunes.