We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Trystan Grisham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Trystan, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

Learning the craft comes from many various areas of what you want to go into. In my case, I have always wanted to work in music, so I learned everything I could about all aspects of that business. Many would consider this to be just knowing how to play songs and knowing your instrument, but it actually becomes much deeper as you invest more time into it.

When I first started, my family booked me every gig we could get and took me to every open jam around just so I could experience new musicians and learn to play with anyone. All genres were presented to me and I had tried many of them by the time I was 12. All styles lend their hands to each other and make your playing infinitely better in all aspects. Over time, this ethic led to creative exploration, which got me into home recording as a necessity for one of my early bands. I had discovered a love for songwriting, and we needed a way to get these songs out to people. while this band ended before I had a chance to try it all out, the seed was planted and I practiced with every artist I could get behind a microphone. Never be afraid to try new things.

I have spent many years honing different areas of the large bubble that is the music craft, and I still have a long way to go. Take every opportunity you can get. Play with every singer or musician you can. When given the opportunity to open for another artist, take it. Be open and willing to try new things to make your show stand out and be the best around. Share your thoughts honestly and truthfully in your writing. These things will help you hone your craft.

Trystan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Trystan Grisham, a singer/songwriter/musician/producer originally from Southeast Iowa. I consider myself a hometown boy with a strong work ethic and a love for all things music. My love for the industry came early on when I was around the age of 8 or 9. My parents bought me a KISS live dvd, and I probably wore that thing out from watching it everyday. I was mesmerized by the lights and flames and costumes. I knew I wanted to do something like that for the rest of my life.

I currently provide works in the form of live performance, recorded performance, and songwriting support. I perform solo acoustic shows, as well as hired musician work in the form of guitar and bass. I have a cover band that has played together for many years back home by the name of Contingency. We are a general dance cover band that plays everything from Johnny Cash to Tool to ZZ Top. I write a lot of my own material, and that can be found anywhere there is streaming. I also love to write and record with other musicians, and help new artists develop their style and sound.

I believe I stand out because I think of things creatively and business oriented. While I love being unique and different in every way I can, sometimes I take a step back and think, how will my audience receive this and could it flop? Sometimes the risk is worth it, other times not so much. I use this method with anyone that I work with as well. If it becomes to obscure, I try to reign it back in or scrap the idea entirely. I am generally open to any new experience, and will try anything before I turn it down.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Success to be self made and self supporting. I wish I could say I currently make enough money to support myself from music alone, but I don’t. I work a full time job on-top of playing shows, writing songs, and traveling year round. Saying this however, there is nothing wrong with that. I think there is a stigma around those that work a job as well as be involved with music that you aren’t as big as you could be. It’s a great way to make two incomes, and can help provide professional connections in the future. I have made many connections working a day job that I may have never encountered in just playing music. One day I would like to use all of this I have mentioned, and be able to make the leap into self sustainability from music alone.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

This question relates to anyone that plays in cover bands. In my time playing with various cover bands around the country, there are many different audiences and cultures you have to appeal to. Something I would recommend is know your audience. Some of the bands I have played in get super excited to learn a list full of music they want to play, and never consider the crowd they will be playing for. Once we got to the gig, we could never understand why people never stuck around, until we thought differently. My pivotal moment was realizing as a cover band, you are there to play what the crowd wants. We shifted our learning into crowd favorite songs of all genres and eras to have a broad sweep. This way, no matter whether we play for a crowd of people from the ages of 20-90, there will be something everyone can eventually enjoy. Know your audience, and pick the songs that will keep people happy and dancing during your show. This can translate to original work as well. Know what suits you best, and don’t be afraid to switch things up if it ultimately will benefit you in the long run. Your audience supports you, so keeping them happy will keep you happy by getting to do what you love everyday you live.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TrystanGrisham.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/trystangrisham?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrystanGrishamMusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trystan-grisham-6354a51a5
• Twitter: @TrystanGrisham
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrystanGrisham

Image Credits
Christina Grisham Photography Radio Keokuk Tracy Grisham