In the heart of Brooklyn's vibrant music scene, an indie rock band is making waves with their electrifying live performances and genre-bending sound. Trespasser, a five-piece powerhouse, has been captivating audiences since their breakout debut in 2022. With a relentless touring schedule and a reputation for high-energy shows, the band has quickly become a rising star in the indie rock world.
Recently, we sat down with Trespasser to discuss their latest single, ‘Wasted Time’, and delve into the creative process behind their eclectic sound. From their diverse musical influences to their captivating stage presence, Trespasser is a band that refuses to be pigeonholed. Join us as we explore the world of a band that is redefining what it means to be an indie rock act.
So good to chat with you guys, thanks for meeting with us. Let’s get stuck in, when did you first start making music?
“Clay, the primary songwriter and frontperson of the band, has been producing and writing music since high school. However, trespasser formed while we were all in college at Wesleyan University. At the time, the school had a very tight-knit music scene, and we all played together in countless different one-off bands. We eventually came together after Clay decided to make a band to play their originals.”
You have a new single out, the brilliant ‘Wasted Time’. How would you describe your sound on the track?
“We call ourselves Outlaw Scrungle because our sound is hard to describe. It’s a mix between country, punk, jazz and pop, but there’s more to it than that. Come to a show and tell us what you think it is.”
Can you tell us a bit about your new single and what’s coming next?
“Our upcoming album ‘Play Games, Die’ (featuring ‘Wasted Time’) has been a long time in the making. Some of the songs are three or four years old. In the past, we’ve struggled to capture our live presence in a recorded format, but this album is the closest we’ve come so far. It also showcases a more pop-oriented side of us, which we’re excited to present to a wider audience than our regular fans.”
What is your songwriting process? How does it all come together?
“Clay either writes songs alone or works on them with the other guitarist, Matt. Clay tends to write about real experiences or memories, but filters them through a lens of magical realism to create our unique style. Most of our songs are about things that really happened, but you wouldn’t be able to tell what specifically from the song alone.”
What’s the most important thing when you’re writing a song?
“Clay usually tries to write songs quickly, getting as much done with first takes and demos as possible. They find this helps with the spark - sometimes when you spend too much time trying to force something out, it ends up dull and lifeless. It’s also important to actually have something you want to say. A song without intention won’t have emotion behind it.”
What’s next for the band?
“We’re going to keep playing shows around the northeast and promoting our new album. Come catch us at a gig sometime! You can keep up to date on our schedule via our Instagram.”
Have there been any artists, moments, or experiences that have influenced your music the most?
“The Grateful Dead are definitely our biggest influence, at least in terms of how we structure our shows. We do a lot of on-stage jamming, which comes from them. However, we draw from a pretty broad range of influences. Clay also grew up in California, and spent a lot of time out in the mountains near their hometown, which was the first spark for the sort of mysterious-outlaw-psychedelic sound we have.”
What has been your best moment as a musician so far?
“We’ve had a couple of standout shows throughout our time as a band. Those are the most rewarding moments for us. When we’re playing well and the crowd is with us, everyone is dancing and having a good time, that’s what we do it for.”
Do you have any advice to give to bands and artists who are just starting out and trying to find their sound?
“Just have fun with it! Play music you like and see where it goes. There’s really no pressure except what you put on yourself.”
One last question for you, is there anything you would like to say to our audience?
“If you come to one of our shows and say the words ‘Broken 8’, we will give you free stuff and grant you one wish. It can be anything except magic stuff. We’re not allowed to do magic stuff.”
Since bursting onto the scene in 2022, Trespasser has captivated audiences with their raw energy and undeniable talent, performing over 50 live shows and carving a unique niche for themselves in the ever-evolving world of independent music.
Known for their eclectic, high-energy performances, the band thrives on spontaneity. Each show is a unique experience, a sonic journey that weaves together carefully curated set lists with electrifying on-stage improvisation.
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