Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Trey Duncan
THE RELEASE
Greenville, South Carolina-born independent Country Rock'n'Soul musician Trey Duncan has been making waves in the industry. Trey adds a dynamic and soulful energy to his concerts with his alluring blend of Chris Stapleton-like vocals, nimble guitar skills, and a contagious smile. Trey's music is a potent blend of raw force and poignant narrative, drawing inspiration from classic songwriters like Billy Joel and Dolly Parton as well as rock icons like Def Leppard and AC/DC. His energetic performances and genuine approach to music have won him a devoted fan base, and his presentations leave an enduring effect on audiences.
"Miracle," Trey Duncan's most recent single, has a particular place in his heart because it was the unofficial wedding song for him and his wife. Due to its authenticity and enduring message, this moving song has resonated with audiences. The critically praised P.T. Houston's production of "Miracle" highlights Trey's outstanding songwriting and performance abilities. P.T. Houston is best recognized for his work with legendary musicians like Chris Stapleton and Randy Travis. The release includes superb session musicians like Michael Spriggs on acoustic guitar, Mark Prentice on bass guitar and piano, Danny Parks on electric guitar, and Matt Bubel on drums and percussion, with a focus on exquisite musicianship and honest songwriting. "Miracle" is evidence of Trey's dedication to making sincere, soulful music that engages his listeners.
THE INTERVIEW
What song or moment in time sparked your passion for music?
I’ve had a passion for music as long as I can remember. My upbringing was extremely musical, and I’ve spent most of my life singing in church. The first song I really remember being obsessed with was “You Can Do Magic” by America. I was around 4 or 5 years old, and I used to sing it all the time. I also remember being about the same age and performing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” at an event for the city. That might be why I always felt comfortable on a stage despite being an otherwise really shy kid.
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Whew, that is a brutal question! I take inspiration from so many different artists, but I’m going to go with Stevie Ray Vaughan, Billy Joel, Michael Bolton, and Chris Stapleton. I call myself a country rock’n’soul artist, and I think now you’ll see why! Stevie is my personal guitar hero, and I’m always going to add a little blues into my music. I think Billy is just the quintessential songwriter, and I love how versatile his catalogue is. He can go from pop to singer-songwriter to rock to Americana even. Bolton is one of my very favorite singers, and for the longest time all I wanted to do was to be able to sing “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You!” Chris Stapleton’s also got a lot of soul, and he’s my favorite artist in the game right now. I do a lot of Stapleton covers when I’m playing live, and I get compared to him pretty often. I actually found Chris a little bit later in life, so if we’re talking more of my formative years then I’d go with Sammy Hagar. I was in a hard rock band before going solo, and you’ll hear a lot more of that hard rock and Sammy influence if you check out my work with Kings Ransome. I still try to bring that rock’n’roll energy to my performances as a solo artist!
How does your creative process work from the moment you develop the idea to the completion of the record?
Creativity works like a muscle, so I find myself being more creative the more I write. Whereas it used to take years to finish my songs (like my first single “Ten Track Heart”), something like my new song, “Miracle,” had about a month turnaround between the initial draft of the song to editing it and recording it. I’m also very critical of myself and have a tough time determining which of my songs I should record. I’m fortunate to have a good team around me to help me decide. Once I finish a draft of a song I’ll decide if I’d like to invite some co-writers to help me polish it up, and then I record at Off the Row Studio in Nashville, TN. Erin McCaffrey and Sarah Morey are two of my co-writers that helped me tighten up a lot of my Off the Row songs, including “Miracle,” but I also love working with producer PT Houston and the session band at Off the Row. Those players are first class, and their names are Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar), Mark Prentice (bass and keys), Matt Bubel (drums and percussion), and Danny Parks (electric guitar).
As for this release, who is the producer and what about the production moved you?
Like all of my singles, PT Houston produced “Miracle.” I think Houston has more of a minimalist approach to production and is really big on letting talented musicians do their thing and getting out of their way. “Miracle” is a very intimate song, and he’s done a great job of drawing you into that space. Everything builds on the lead vocal and serves to enhance that lyric. Houston treats his mixing and production like an art as much as a songwriter or musician treats their craft; he is a storyteller too, but his tools are the layers and instruments he adds or subtracts.
When it comes to the songwriting on this record, what is the message you want to get across to your listeners?
I wrote “Miracle” for my wife, Katherine, right before we got married, and we like to think of it as our wedding song. Love is so much more complicated than simple attraction or happiness. “To love” is a verb, and it’s something we actively choose to do. When you have a partner that loves you like that you’re so much more complete than you could ever be alone. I think having that kind of love is truly miraculous, and that’s how Katherine makes me feel every day.
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