We had the pleasure recently of speaking to ‘The Trusted’ bassist, Fin. The band came together as Fin and lead singer, Tom are brothers so (obviously) knew each other, however, Tom originally didn’t want his brother in the band, with the stereotype with brothers in bands not ending well.
Tom and Dale, guitarist, met at school and in 2015 they were in a different band. One day they needed a bass player, and at the time Fin was learning bass so he quickly learnt the songs! A gig came up and he stepped in and “after that gig no more!” Fin was told but after doing more and more gigs, he was now the permanent bass player! However, the band they were formerly in disbanded they all decided to make a new band and after putting out an advert for a drummer, Dave messaged them and they got to a rehearsal space one evening and “sort of just clicked!” Fin told us; “We just jammed out Reptilia by The Strokes” and The Trusted were born in 2016 and have been smashing it ever since.
That is how the band came together, but how do their songs? “One of us will bring a riff or a mood to the table, and Tom will have some lyrics,” and that leads them to all building the song up with their own instruments.
The inspiration for their songs is “quite random”, with them all being into different things! Lead writer, Tom focus’ songs on the feeling of depression, and anxiety. These relatable topics is something which draws people in to The Trusted’s songs, “wanting to be alright, wanting to be ‘normal’”. Yet, what is ‘normal’?
The band's music idols vary from each member, Fin saying he is into “older music, The Who, Beach Boys, Jack White, Coldplay”, just to name a few. However, as a band then tend to look to more recent bands like “The 1975, The Killers, changing style wise like Coldplay.”
The five words that might describe the band are “Anthemic, Alternative, Sadly Uplifting, Evolving”, as they are never in the same place when they go in the studio. Fin tells us that sometimes the band will think they are going in a Pop direction, and then “someone will bring in that rockier feel.” Adding to ‘Sadly Uplifting’, the lyrics being a darker side about “being anxious and everything, yet the music behind the lyrics really uplifts the track!”
Over lockdown the band was forced to focus more on the social media side of things whereas before The Trusted “were gigging so frequently, like it (Socials) would even be once a week!”
As just before lockdown TikTok came in to play, which was "kind of just dances so it put us off, as none of us can really dance!” Yet, when it changed to the more humour side, they started giving the addictive App a go! With The Trusted’s TikTok they like to show all the many “stereotypes and ‘isms’” of people, they see. However, in a way they are describing themselves as they are guilty of doing those things as well!
The main goal for the band is to get music out there and keep up the momentum with releasing music!
Fin told us that “with releasing songs it’s getting your songs in front of people,” which is the best thing with the internet. Everyone gets a voice now, especially with bands which encourages performing, and hopefully they gain a following from that. “Not only can you gain a following with the internet but you can also create your own identity online, how you want to be perceived by the world but because everyone has that ability now, it saturates the channels and all the while you’ve got all these great artists, it's hard to stand out!”
Obviously, they would much rather make music, than TikToks. “Defiantly not the dancing ones”
Now, what does the band see themselves in five years being a dance group? “It could be! If there is a lockdown, we might have to get the dance mats out, just dance and really learn some moves!”
In five years', time “given current affairs and the whole last two years, you never know what's going to happen, but we would love to be selling out stadiums!” Also, they would love their music to still be fulfilling and create songs, TikToks, that show their personalities.
“In five years to still have that momentum, being themselves not putting on some sort of act really!” How the stereotype of the band like ‘drinking and everything’, can be put on by many people “even though we are the most un-Rock ‘n’ Roll band!” TikTok has made everyone so self-aware that “we are now all aware of the band and musician lifestyle now of being reckless and drinking, ‘living on the edge as such” is not reality. With their own TikToks it has allowed them make light of that, and somewhat take the mick of the people that try to false it! Yet, the internet does also allow that sense that they can be this cool Rock ‘n’ Roll act online yet also, their normal 9 to 5 in the day!
At the start of their music careers they loved, and still do, all the little things including “going to the gigs, sound checking backstage”, they are still doing what they want to do, no matter the size of the venue. Early on the band, used to say “when we get to play these types of venues, when we get this type of equipment, writing songs like this”, rather than just enjoying the moments and sort of sitting there like “we are actually recording songs with a band that they all click it's just fun!” Even if they had a bad gig, they would make light of the situation. “Don’t take yourself to seriously or put so much pressure on it”, that’s what TikTok is for so that’s great!
The Trusted definitely have a cohesive style, which is nice in a band but Fin, “would have to say umm... yeah probably me!” to who has the best style in the band. “Normally, it’s the lead singer who has the ego but today I'll take that!” In terms of fashion, he told us a story about his best mate's girlfriend, who does a lot of the band's photos. She has quite a unique style and for a while the both of them wanted to style him. So, he gave them a budget and they dressed him. He claims he has had a bit of a ‘fashion journey’ from that, now searching for some cool, pieces to wear that have character.
Now if you’ve read this far, and are still wondering how did The Trusted get their name? “The name is a really weird thing! Even if you look at the biggest bands and biggest artists, the name is empty until the band takes on its meaning.” Their name came from the song ‘(What’s so Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding’ by Elvis Costello & The Attractions. The lyric “who are the strong, and who are the trusted’ and ‘The Trusted’ really stood out to them. After they took on the name it just felt right for them and showed everything that they're about!
Even with single ‘Eli’ not being far in the past, the band are already back in the studio! They are recording a song they wrote back in November. ‘Eli’ and ‘Vellichor’ were songs that they recorded back in February. The next song they are releasing is very different to ‘Eli’ and is “a lot more pop-ier" and The Killers, The 1975 –esc.
The one song that Fin would tell you to listen to right now is, actually not a whole song! “Well actually I’d have to say it's just a section of a song”, we all laughed. “In The Beach Boys’ song ‘God Only Knows’, the songs from that album are probably one of my favourites of all time, and there is a part of it where it is just harmonies, no lyrics. There is a bit in the end where it all comes together and gives you goosebumps every time!”
Now leaving on that high note, no pun intended, we wanted to thank The Trusted for that lovely chat, and you should defiantly check out their whole discography and keep on the lookout for what's next from them!
By CAITLIN
Comments