Trinity Armiger might describe herself as an ordinary person with a simple life, but the music she crafts is anything but. This small-town songwriter has taken the plunge into the YouTube world, sharing her uniquely charming tunes that blend her passion for gaming with surprisingly personal and emotional depths.
In this interview, we chat with Trinity Armiger and dive into her creative process, exploring how she harnesses the power of AI to bring her intricate lyrical narratives to life. We chat about her journey from shy hobbyist to sharing her creations online, the inspiration behind her latest release, ‘Dwemer Puzzle Box’, a nostalgic nod to a beloved RPG quest, and discover the surprising blend of influences that shape her distinctive sound.
It’s great to have this chance to chat with you! Let’s take it right back to the beginning - when did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
“From my school days, I was good at writing. Hours spent on playing ‘writing RPG’ games, where you have to compose your own story with others, were the thing that consumed a lot of my free time. I've even started a book, but... I was too lazy to finish it, so it disappeared into the void of unfinished projects. But years have passed, and after some traumatic times I've encountered in my life, I've fallen into deep depression. That pushed me to the edge. I've moved like 1500 km from my country just to find out that distance did nothing. Loneliness and sadness started to take over, so one morning I decided to do something about it because I was too tired of feeling this way.”
“I had an epiphany. ‘Try to write something! Again! Like years ago!’ So, I started. And verse by verse, I've finished my first song. After reading it once more and once again, I've decided. This is the thing I want to do. But writing wasn't enough. So, I've started to look for a way to record my lyrics. One of the search results was ‘AI-generated music’. After a few tries and hours, I was listening to my song. Not perfect, with a robotic voice and not in sync, but... it was mine! A few months passed, and I've been getting better and better with that. More specialized tools, more ideas I want to write about, etc. A few of my colleagues at work, after listening to it, started to say things like, "Why don't you post it?" The answer was always, ‘I am shy... Besides, I'm not sure people will like it. It's an AI, not real guitar or drums.’ More and more questions each day finally pushed me to try YouTube, and here I am now.”
You’ve spoken a bit about how your depression pushed you to create. Can you tell us a bit about your latest release and what it means to you?
“Oh… My last release was ‘Dwemer Puzzle Box’. A little spin-off of one of the earliest quests in the game ‘Morrowind’. Many, many years ago I was enjoying this title as a teenager, and I remember losing a lot of time to finish that adventure. So… I've installed this title again, and after that quest (it takes me definitely less time than years ago), an idea comes to my head: ‘Why not write about it? Change this and that and go on’. So this was the thing I've done. Every verse of the song brings a smile to my face, and the ‘comedy style’ I've chosen for background music and the singer was the cherry on top. This song is kind of a trip down memory lane for me, and I know that every fan of the game will feel something similar.”
While AI has helped you bring your songs to life, are there any artists, moments, or experiences that have influenced you when writing?
“I am a huge fan of bands like Linkin Park or Solence. But I am not running from classic Chopin or Mozart moments. When I am listening to music, it's mostly rock or screamers/bangers. But when I was working on ‘Dwemer Puzzle Box’, my playlist showed up with Poor Man's Poison, a folk band. That poked me with an idea to make it this way. But verse after verse, I have in my memory that frustration with looking for a small box in a huge dungeon. Replaying the moment in the game after so many years also changes my perspective. Knowing the locations, all passages, etc., give me a lot of fun and ideas for the text. And I am sure that new players will feel the same when they are stuck with that.”
What is your songwriting process for the release? How does it all come together?
“I'm starting every Monday. Sometimes it's searching for a game I want to play, or I feel it has a good story. Then I'm spending some time with the title, enjoying it slowly and trying to capture in my mind something special, something unique. I'm trying to feel like a character I'm currently playing.”
“The very next day, I'm writing my adventures in my native language as a story I want to tell. Another day, I'm starting to write it as a song, translating it into English, helping myself with dictionaries, translators, etc. And when I have a ready text, I read it a lot of times, making corrections, changing sentences, and experimenting with different styles. For example, when I was working on a project named ‘Upgrade’, I got stuck on one verse because I wasn't able to translate it while keeping all the sense. Soo... I've tried to translate it into Japanese. And the result was stunning! And when I've read and I am satisfied with the text (most of the time it's Friday), I'm using AI tools to compile my text into a ready-to-listen song. And from this step... Graphic, description, and YouTube uploading with premiere time settled up like always at 9:00 p.m.”
How would you describe the sound on your latest release? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
“’Dwemer Puzzle Box’ is kind of a unique song. Something I didn't try the whole time. It connects comedy, frustration, and a ton of fun with pleasure to listen to in the background.”
“From my first tries at making music, my style has evolved a lot. After experimenting with rock, metal, growlers, rap, making ‘story songs’ without choruses, and experimenting with DnB, I've finally found the way I want to share my creations. My first song wasn't good at all. Not because of the text (hopefully), but because of the style. They were, hmm… sterile. Without that ‘thing’, that makes it enjoyable? With that release, I think I've found a way that I should follow. When I am asking my colleagues for their honest rating, they point out some things like, ‘In a few places it's not matching the rhythm’ or ‘It needs more bass to be enjoyable’, but they are aware that there are a few things that I still have to learn.”
Is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey in your latest release? Is there a moment in the release that really captures that idea?
“Oh yes! For most of people, it will be a song about trying to finish the quest with a funny background. But for me, it's something more. Like I've told you before, I am after some traumatic moments… Personally, this release is a story about looking for solutions to my problems for a very, very long time, trying a lot of things, and risking everything just to feel good, only to find out that the solution is just a few steps away from me. Sometimes people didn't see it without simply "looking back" after a long journey through life. So after trying to travel, parachute jumping, being in the military, visiting dangerous places, and being lost in my life, I've finally discovered that all I needed was just next to me. A pen and a notepad.”
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?
“Personally, I didn't have plans. I'm just living, not thinking about tomorrow too much. As an artist, I want to share my creativity with others, hoping that I can bring some smiles to their faces. In the near future, I want to stick with writing and composing new songs. But in the future? I've told my colleague once that I would feel fulfilled when I'm on a walk and I'll hear my song on the radio of the passing car. But that is a long way to go, and I'm not sure I am ready for that kind of journey. I am planning to spend next year working like a normal person, having fun writing music, and sharing it with people all around the world. Because there is nothing better than hearing things like ‘Ey! I like your song!’”
What's next after this release? Do you have any new releases on the horizon?
“Yes! Currently, I am working on a song about the Pompeii volcanic eruption with a twist. This is a song I was asked to write by my colleague. I can't say too much about a twist, but all I can say is that I am a sci-fi fan. Also, I am playing a newly purchased game called Persona 3, so… Hopefully I'll write something nice with that title. And for the next ones? We'll see. It also depends on my listeners. When they send me an email with questions about ‘Can you write about X or Y?’ I just can't say no. I think I can even go deeper and start to write about feelings, breakups, etc., like most of the composers. But I'm still not sure about that. Hiding my feelings behind a game theme is enough for now.”
What sort of reception have you had to your latest release? Are there any memorable moments that stand out?
“My last release got a lot of attention. It's currently aired by a few small radio stations. I've got a few emails with nice words. And like always, few are from haters. But it's normal, and I don't care much about it until it's a healthy critique. My colleagues and people that I am talking about this song with are very satisfied after listening to it, and they are cheering me on to make more and more.”
“I think this release changed something in my point of view on music creation. But the most unique experience after releasing it was on the Monday when I got to my workplace. A man that I didn't talk to much in the past comes to me and says, ‘I was listening to your new song. I'm not a player, but I can feel that this has something deeper. I really like it. Good job.’ You can only imagine how I was feeling in this moment.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?
“You know. What can I say to people? Just keep dreaming. And follow your dreams. If you think that there is something that will make you feel better, like writing or walking, just do it. And sometimes it's worth it to look back just to remember the good things and activities. And how to connect with me or support me? Just enjoy my music on my YouTube.”
“If someone wants to contact me, there is an email I'm checking a few times per day. And if you want to show me your support more, just subscribe and let me know that you like the things I am creating. I hope that you all will have a nice day! Thank you!”
Trinity Armiger's story is a testament to the power of finding your voice, even if it's amplified by artificial intelligence. Her dedication to weaving personal narratives into the fabric of her game-inspired songs creates a unique and engaging listening experience. With a clear passion for her craft and an open heart for connecting with her audience, Trinity is an artist to watch as she continues to level up her musical journey and share her creative world with us all.
Remember to check out her YouTube channel and drop her a line or get in touch with her by email.