Hello T. Ledger and welcome to College Radio Charts! How has your summer been? Or I guess winter, as you’re in Melbourne, correct?
It’s been Winter but the weather hasn’t been that bad the past two weeks.
You’ve been in the game since you were 14, creating beats on FL Studio. How has your approach to music evolved over the years?
I deviated from my original beats when I started again and also started doing vocal work as well but lately I’ve been going back to making something in line with those old original beats with freestyle playing over the top. I’ve lost my old beats forever which is sad.
Did you come from a musical family? What are some of your earliest musical memories?
Playing piano at 4-5, guitar at 6 and learning a lot of the chords of the guitar at 11. Some of my family worked for Yamaha Australia including my dad. My dad is an awesome bass player
Your latest EP, I Love You, carries a deeply personal vibe. What inspired the themes and emotions behind the tracks on this release?
Collaborations help with topic choosing, especially when they freestyle. I also name my beats and often then not the finished song will have a similar title for the track and the themes hopefully shine through. I made I Love You about my muse who most of my songs are about.
With 22 albums under your belt, do you feel your music has followed a consistent theme, or has it been more of a journey of self-discovery and experimentation?
My music apparently hasn’t changed much since the start, but I reckon it’s more polished now than never. I experiment more now with arrangements, like when I made my debut album Sword of Life I was using free sample packs, as well as on Planes of Existence. But the majority of my samples now are through Cymatics which are reasonably priced. My music is been more about my journey of self-discovery.
Mental health has been a significant part of your story. How has your experience with mental illness influenced your music, both in sound and in lyrics?
Well for starters, when I’m in the ward I make as many beats as possible for the duration of my stay which ranges from 1 month to 3 months and then I do the vocals and guitar and what not when I leave the ward which makes for very long albums. I’ve made friends and collaborators in mental health places and even recorded in a proper studio. When I’m manic I can make an album overnight like on Sue Me I Want to Die, my longing for love depresses me which carries a lot of the themes.
You started rapping in a mental health facility’s studio. Can you take us back to that moment? What was going through your mind when you laid down that first verse?
I was shitting bricks but I managed to even sing on it as well. I was quite depressed; in a depressive state at the time.
You’ve worked with producers like Tim Leach and Da Hypnotist during your early days. How did these collaborations shape your musical identity?
Both are lovely gentlemen and taught me so much. Tim gave me a production master class and fine tuned things especially with guitar playing, production, mixing, mastering, taught me how to do screamo and the production was on Ableton Live. Da Hypnotist taught me FL Studio better and fine tuned mixing vocals, as well as making me rap better. I wouldn’t be here without them.
“Loneliness,” released in 2020, has gained quite a following with over 240,000 streams. What do you think it is about that track that resonates with so many listeners?
It’s the Covid Anthem.
Music is your escape, but you’ve also mentioned art and writing. How do these other creative outlets influence your music, and do you see yourself exploring them more in the future?
I do most of my cover art and most of that at Art Class. I’ve written three novellas and some screenplays. I want to write an epic novel one day that’s for sure. The art piece I choose for my album art usually fits the title and themes.
Footy was a passion of yours growing up, and you’ve said you want to kick the footy again. How do sports and music intersect in your life?
I’ve made a few songs about my footy career and have made a mixtape called Game Time! which is on Spotify. On Game Time! It’s all about sport. I still kick the footy from time to time but I don’t play anymore; I was quite a good player. I just gym now.
You took down your original SoundCloud account but have since rebuilt your presence. How does it feel to have a second chance to share your music with the world?
Everyone deserves a second chance.
In the world of streaming and digital music, what does success look like to you? Is it about the numbers, the connection with fans, or something else?
Connection with fans but I want more numbers too not gonna lie.
Melbourne has a vibrant music scene. How has the city influenced your sound and the way you approach your craft?
I’ve rapped and sang about Melbourne a lot. It’s the best city on earth. I guess the dance culture of Melbourne as well as the indie rock scene influenced my sound.
You’ve encouraged people to check out Bit Boys. Can you tell us more about that project and what role it plays in your creative universe?
Bit Boys is a collab album with Jasemp3 made over a couple of weeks where we were having late nights and experimenting.
Looking back on your journey, from the early days of making beats to your latest EP, what would you say to your younger self who was just starting out?
Don’t care what people think.
Thanks so much for spending some time with us today, T. Ledger! What’s next for you and where can people go to find out more about your music and art?
Making an EP called the Douche EP with Jolo Swog on the weekend, and in the midst of making the Soldier album. Check out T. Ledger on Soundcloud to get the new tracks first and my instagram for my art. Search for Trevellyn Head on instagram.
Instagram
