Singer-songwriter Trevor Hall is a perfect example of not judging a book by its cover. At first glance, he seems like every other long-haired 20-something year-old. Forgettable, right? Wrong. With Trevor, it’s not about looks. You must listen to him. From there, any stereotypes based on appearances disappear.
The predominantly reggae-acoustic rock musician is a grounded 23-year-old with a deep, pure and at times husky voice, yet he possesses more emotional depth than many people twice his age. That aspect of him finds its way into his music, and his lyrics will stick with listeners long after the notes of each song end because the essence of Trevor is found in his music.
Last week, I had the opportunity to catch up with Trevor via phone before he embarked on a six-week tour beginning Jan. 27. While talking, he said he was waiting out potential flood dangers in Laguna Beach, Calif., thanks to days’ worth of rain. Much like his music, though, he didn’t let the prospect of something sway his attitude. Personable, laid-back and welcoming, after a 20-minute conversation, it became clear he’s very much a man who lives in the moment because that’s where life is lived for him.
“I don’t look forward too much. I take things a step at a time,” he said.
That being said, it brought up the subject of many of his songs on his self-titled debut album released last year on Vanguard Records. Each song contain themes of spirituality and universal love. It wasn’t intentional, Trevor explained. Instead, those ideas just so happened to be on his mind at the time.
“Music is a deep thing for me. It’s a way to listen to my inner self or let my inner self speak to me. It’s a way to let something greater than me talk to me. A lot of songs aren’t where I’m at presently. Some are trying to teach me or take me to a better place,” he said. “Music is about listening, even when you play music. I’m not trying to preach. I’m not a preacher, but it was just what I was meditating on at the time. [The songs] all come from a certain place and mean something in different ways.”
“Unity,” for example, is a powerful tune that holds a certain ambiguity in terms of meaning. He was on tour with fellow musician and friend Matisyahu when the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, hit the news. Matisyahu knew people who died in the attacks, while Trevor had emotional ties to India, thanks to many trips made there. Despite any cultural and spiritual differences on the outside, the two were both affected by the incident and came together to write the beautiful song about the need for unity despite differences.
Producing music that touches so many emotional levels doesn’t seem — on the surface — the first choice for a kid originally from South Carolina, but, in fact, his upbringing enabled him to make that choice. His father was a drummer, so Trevor grew up in a creatively encouraging environment. By the time he hit high school, he had already experienced his first time in the studio before heading off to an arts school in California to study classical guitar. It was there he encountered music in a way he never had and discovered new audio loves.
“I was a surfer in my youth. Reggae is common music in surf culture. When I first heard it, I fell in love with it. I love world music — Indian, African, Middle Eastern — music that makes me feel something spiritually and takes me out of my physical world, whether it’s rock and roll or whatever,” he said.
His love for different sounds helped him find his way on the Shrek The Third soundtrack in 2007. That same love also finds its way into his music with soothing, yet upbeat, sounds, but get him to talk about India, and you can hear the smile at the other end of the phone and feel his tone of voice brighten.
“I worked with a couple of charitable groups, but I have one that’s dearest to my heart. I’ve been to India a few times. I just got back from there a few days ago. There’s a temple-orphanage I went to on my first trip. I was taken by the kids there. I have a donation box at shows to help pay for their education, food, clothing. It’s wonderful to see the response and inspire people to lend a hand,” he said. “When I was just there, I gave them the money and was shown what it’s done for them, the improvements on their lives. There’s stuff on Youtube, but I’ve been there and seen results, if not for God’s grace.”
Although his heart may be in India, his mind is very much on his tour. All the experiences thus far helped him secure tours with the likes of Steel Pulse, Rusted Root, Colbie Caillat, Ziggy Marley and most recently Michael Franti. Being around Franti was an inspiration to him, he said, and taught him lessons he didn’t know he had yet to learn.
“I think the big thing I learned on tour is you never, ever, even if you think you know how it will go, it doesn’t. You don’t know how things will happen,” he said. “At first, I only applied this to my music career, but now I apply it to my everyday life.”
And that’s the attitude that keeps him in the present and gives him food for thought as he journals his everyday life and, in turn, writes new songs.
To listen to Trevor Hall’s music or get information on upcoming tour dates, visit his Myspace page.
spccwgurl
1 month, 2 weeks ago
I’m not usually into peach fuzz acoustic musicians, but this lad sounds like he has some depth. I just may give him a try.