Troy Western

If you live in the Niagara area (Ontario, Canada), turn on the local community channel, cable 10, and check out Troy's interview on their news magazine program called "The Source". It is currently airing in the loop for the show and will likely repeat for the remainder of the week. The interview will be posted on TroyWestern.com soon. - The Source, Cogeco TV

** Troy Western was the "FEATURED ARTIST" for May 2006 on BreakingLocals.com, as voted by his fans.

BreakingLocals.com was an online community designed to connect bands and musicians with fans.


- BreakingLocals.com

How long have you been performing?

From my childhood up until shortly after high school, I spent a great deal of time doing music-theatre. It wasn't until I finished high school that I was finally able to focus more attention on just playing music. I've had brief love affairs in my life with various instruments like the violin and the piano, and quickies with the harmonica and even the trombone. But the one that kept calling me back was the guitar. I wrote my first song on my first acoustic guitar when I was about 19. Since then, I've had stints in two bands doing mostly covers and I played around with some solo projects. Now my focus is entirely on my solo work.


In a business that can be quite rough how do you stay focused and positive?

There's a few things I do to keep a positive vibe. First and foremost, I play. It's extremely calming for me to pick up the guitar and just play something -- anything. An original, a cover, a new song, scales -- anything, as long as I can immerse myself totally in what I'm doing. I also have this mental ritual that I go through every night. It's kind of like meditation, in a way. I go through a mental checklist of what I've accomplished that day to further myself with my music, then I'll rework my goals and aspirations, and finally finish it up with a reality check on how I need to get things done. Finally and perhaps most importantly, I rely very heavily on the support from my fans, my family, and friends. Without them, I would be a big ol' messy puddle of nothing.


Is it harder being from a small town? (or what they would call a small town..lol)

"Small town"? That's kind of funny! One of the things that really inspires me right now is the amount of amazing music coming from this area. There is so much incredible talent that seems to be intertwining itself into the bigger cities that I just don't think of it as being any harder than it would be for anyone else trying to work their way into the industry. Just look at some of the tracks being laid for the past year or so. You've got guys like Dallas Green and The Trews making a huge dent on the mainstream music scene. I guess in one sense, there isn't that instant connection with the big city nightlife that can sometimes help to create a buzz. But when it comes to getting your music and your name out there, it's all just one big ocean for you to swim in -- you just have to make waves.


Do your write all your music and lyrics?

The best therapy I've had in my life has been writing music and poetry (a.k.a. lyrics). So far, I've written all of my own songs. It's the best way for me to give a genuine performance. It just wouldn't seem right at this point to be taking the stage with the singer/songwriter label while having a bunch of people writing my music and words for me. I would love to work on co-writing something, but it would have to be with someone who has similar creative and music interests, otherwise it might be tough to get a creative flow.


What inspires you in writing your lyrics?

The first thing I can remember putting to paper was inspired by love, or at least the desire to have it. Over time, I've learned that inspiration really does come from anywhere -- a song, a movie, simple raw emotion, world events. Quite often, it comes from something that moves me into action, maybe a personal experience or a reaction to something I've seen or heard. I find that I have to grab a pen and write something the moment an idea strikes, otherwise I might lose the momentum to develop it further.


Describe your sound for everyone:

Here's the 30-second pitch, ready?
"A unique sense of melodic phrasing with intense lyrical crafting. An acoustic blend with grooves that are aurally pleasing, the subject matter thought-provoking, and wholly full of 'complex simplicities'."


If you could work with or be an opening act for any of your favourite artists who would it be?

The reflex answer is without question always Dave Matthews Band. That one's easy. But if I take a second to think about it, I can give you a utopic dream: A 3-day outdoor festival with bands like DMB, John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Jack Johnson. I could keep going, as I'm sure we all can. Am I being too greedy here?


Any advice for aspiring musicians?

Since I will always consider myself to be a musician aspiring for something, I can only pass on the same things I always tell myself:
Don't ever stop playing, even when it doesn't seem to be working. Always be working on developing performance skills, even if no one is watching you. You're only as good as yourself; if you obsess with being better than someone else, you might forget who you are. LISTEN: to as many styles of music as you can find, to any advice someone is willing to offer, to your instincts when writing and when trying to develop your career. And remember this is a career choice that you will only succeed at if youre willing to work for it.


Special message to your current and future fans?

You are the best! Thank you so much for taking a liking to my music. I like what you've done with your hair. You have such a superb taste in music. We should go out sometime and grab a drink. :)

- CanEh Entertainment

Troy Western has received a nomination for the 2006 Toronto Independent Music Awards (TIMA) in the category of "Best Classic Rock". The awards show takes place on Thursday, October 5th, 2006 at The Phoenix in Toronto, Ontario. - Eye Weekly & TIMA