One on One in 10: Brandon Trevon

One on One in 10
September, 2015
Artist: Brandon Trevon – Chicago-Minneapolis-NYC
Hello and welcome to One on One in 10, where we pick the brains of some of the most talented Indie artists in the Tri state area with 10 questions. It’s your girl Mai Mazzi reporting live on the scene, bringing you the real with todays’ movers and shakers and allowing you to meet them, one on one.

The summer has officially begun to wind down, and we are nearing our more comfortable temperatures. I am a spring/fall girl so the transition from summer to winter is a cool time for me. Literally lol!

Bringing us into this “transition” is a multi-talented artist by the name of Brandon Trevon. He represents NYC by way of Chi Town and Minneapolis. His smooth versatile style attracted many of our listeners so you know we had to get the One on One with him.  
 

Mazzi: Thank you so much for taking the time out to sit and speak with me.

Brandon Trevon: Thank you for having me!

Mazzi: So for our first question, what made you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

Brandon Trevon:  What made me first realize that I wanted to pursue a career in music would have to be the effect that I saw that my voice had on people as a kid, especially adults that were not my family members. My family members did not know that I could really sing because I hid it from them. I would wait until everyone left and I would put on imaginary concerts for myself. In elementary school when the teachers and other kids’ parents would come and see me in talent shows, I told myself that I wanted to be a singer. The way that music made me feel, it was a different feeling from anything and I knew that I wanted to sing and entertain and no one could tell me nothing!

Mazzi: How would you describe your music for the public audience if they have never seen or heard you before?

Brandon Trevon: My music has messages within; it is melodic with really comfortable lyrics. I speak from the heart and try not to be too political or analytical. They will hear passion, artistry, and the love I have for music. I do not make music for just one audience, I like to touch people from all walks of life and it shows in the music that I produce.

Mazzi: If you had to categorize your music, what genre would it best fit?

Brandon Trevon: I would say main stream with an R&B twist. Main stream to the point that it can be played on the radio, but it has an R&B flavor to it with the way that I sing.  A lot of people ask if I come from a gospel back ground because you can hear some of that reflection in my music, but I am Pop R&B soul.

Mazzi: How does your style differ from other artists in the same genre?

Brandon Trevon:  The way I sing a song is definitely different. When I hear my songs, I hear me and I hear influences of the people that I grew up listening to. The listeners always compare you to other people, so no matter who you are you will always sound like someone. I try to speak on different things that people go through, so my substance differentiates me from others. I want people to see my mental before my music; understand who I am as an artist. That creates my substance, which separates me from other artists in the same genre.

Mazzi: Are you familiar with the term “starving artist”?

Brandon Trevon: Yes

Mazzi: How do you cope with major obstacles as they relate to the term?

Brandon Trevon: Faith. Faith because I am still a starving artist and even if I get to where I want to be, I will still be a starving artist because you always have to stay hungry for more. It’s rough out here, but it’s not impossible.  I moved to the East Coast as a struggling artist to push myself to the next level. People looked at me like I was crazy when I made the move to NYC, but it was time to step out of the complacency. If you think that you can do it, then you shall speak that you should do it, and then it will manifest into the actions that you put into place.

Mazzi: What do you think your “biggest break” or “greatest opportunity” has been so far in your musical career?

Brandon Trevon: I have had a lot of them. I do not feel like I have reached the greatest. I have shared the stage and performed with three time Grammy award winning super group Sounds of Blackness. I have met Brandy and Marsha Ambrosius. It is one thing to go and see them in shows, but to be able to have conversations and have them pour into you creates great moments. I would like to be able to do that for others. When I was 10 years old I was able to meet Dionne Warwick, NJ royalty! She took the time out to pour into me as a young kid when she didn’t have to; it was more than just hello how are you, after her show she poured into me for an hour. She taught me things that I still use today.  

Mazzi: What image do you think your music conveys and why did you choose this type of image for your music?

Brandon Trevon: The songs that I have decided to write. It is about feeling. I love to be versatile; whether it’s R&B, hip hop, or the pop stand point. When I was a little kid, I would listen to Frank Sinatra and I was growing up in the hood! I love music and whatever is attractive to my ears; from Opera to the heavy instrumentation of a real hard core rock song. Anything with feeling I love it no matter the genre. I think country music has the best lyrics and the best stories; I took that story telling aspect into my writing. There is a song of mine called, “Inside Out”, which is a title track off of the album I am currently working on, that embodies my take on story telling thru music. I like people to envision; I like for them to be able to close their eyes and vision something different from the next listener. It opens conversation.  I like to evoke feelings with my music.

Mazzi: Art and music has an impact on both the young and the old; sometimes the older generation loses respect for the music we listen to today because they cannot comprehend the value of it. What advice can you give to the youth of today looking to enter the industry in regards to being able to stay relevant for every generation and for any audience?

Brandon Trevon: I would like to go on record and say that I love todays’ music and the music that came before. I just keep my ear to everything music. I feel like each type of music, no matter what it may be or what anyone’s opinion of it is, serves a purpose. I would tell the young artist coming up that if they want to turn up and do what they want to do, just do your homework and know the history and foundation of the music. Know the lines of influence and give props that have come before you. Chris Brown has influences from the R.Kellys and the Dave Hollisters; R. Kelly and Dave Hollister have influences from the Aaron Halls; etc. Just do your homework and know what you are talking about.

Mazzi: What are your immediate music career goals (1 to 3 years)?

Brandon Trevon: Release my first album which is currently being worked on, the launch of the website, and building more on the platform and fan base. Grabbing   wonderful opportunities such as these, like we are doing right now {interview}, into helping further build that platform that I am working hard for.

Mazzi: Do you have other interests or talents that you would like to share with us? How do you like to enjoy your relaxation time away from the music?

Brandon Trevon: I act as well. I have been in several stage plays. I have some things on the table in regards to doing some print work with some agencies. So you may see me in some magazines or things of that nature soon!

Believe it or not, as big as my personality is and as much as I like to talk, when I am at home I like it to be quiet. I am starting to get back into reading more, I like to write. I would love to get some sleep because I don’t sleep as much!

Be on the look-out for Brandon Trevon’s album called “Inside Out” coming soon!

Follow him and reach out to him via social media to stay up to date with his movements!

And to you, the readers thank you for tuning in. Make sure you stay tuned for more NMNJ One on One in 10!

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