Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristan Graves.
Hi Tristan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing music when I was 15 years old. From a young age I was always drawn to various styles and genres, and was around a lot of music from different time periods growing up. When I was about 5 or 6 years old I learned of my great grandfather, Josh Graves. He was the dobro player for Flatt and Scruggs, and defined the sound of Bluegrass music for generations with his style and sound. He sadly passed away when I was very young, but his legacy was always present for me to look to and be inspired by.
When I was 15 I started playing bass guitar with a band my dad was in. Over time I got more comfortable with my instrument and moved between other groups playing bass. Entering High School I discovered this love for performance that I still hold today. I began getting involved with Theater halfway through my High School years, which taught me a lot about how to be an engaging performer. I continued to do this as well as play in live bands up until the Pandemic of 2020 hit. At this time I was focused mainly on school, pursuing a degree in Audio Production. Over the next few years I spent a lot of time alone at home playing music and honing my skills as a bassist. Eventually I graduated in 2024 with a Bachelors in Media and Entertainment, and have been working to continuously perform or work in the arts in some way.
I have been inspired by various performers of all kinds, from Stage Actors, to Singers, and of course various bassists. While I have a legacy rooted in Bluegrass and Americana Blues music, my heart center likes to branch between all styles of music. I love Rock, Blues, Jazz, Swing, Techno, Funk, Fusion, even modern Pop and R&B. My love for Theater also informs me as a musician. We as actors make bold choices, and I love to do the same for music. The beautiful thing to me about music is how it connects everyone, no matter language, distance, religious affiliation, etcetera. The joy for me now is making music with people I adore and am constantly inspired by, and many who are good friends of mine.
My hope is to continue to work as a performer, and eventually be able to do this full time. It is a busy lifestyle, one that demands so much of us as human beings. However, the reward to me feels worth all the effort you put in.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My road to where I am now has not been conventional. When receiving my education I struggled as I was not a great student. I struggled with learning environments that were tailored only for one kind of education, and often found myself studying harder or asking for more guidance from my Professors. I myself have also faced various prejudices for various reasons in various creative spaces. Coming to Theater as an Engineer and Musician can be a challenge as people often only see you in one way. The same can be said for coming to a band gig when your band mates only know you as an actor. However, many if not all creatives are multi-talented and versed in multiple artistic avenues. My goal as a creative has always been to make spaces feel welcoming and open to all who wish to enter. The arts are demanding enough, to add stress to that has never appealed to me. I also love to bridge gaps in the arts. One of the joys of my endeavors is to bring people from different backgrounds and experiences together to create something beautiful and inspiring. It is not easy to do, and comes with its own set of challenges, yet I find it rewarding to bring communities together and grow them altogether.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work as a freelance Audio Engineer for various gigs. This includes live Music/Band shows, live Theater, Musical Theatre, and even at-home Studio Session work. Most people know me as a Stage Actor, some know me as a Bassist, others as an Engineer, and few as an Artist. However I do it all, and love to explore in other means of expression. My primary means of expression though is through music and song. I have a unique style that I can only describe as a culmination of all the artists I admire. My biggest inspirations as a bassist are Pino Palladino, Geddy Lee, and Billy Sheehan. As a performer I have inspirations that span decades and genres of music and performance, including Frank Sinatra, Gerry Mulligan, Josh Groban, Kinga Glyk, Joshua Henry, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Christian Borle to name a few.
I perform various aspects of audio work, but my current specialty is as a recording engineer and Artist. I record with the award-winning Spark Studios as their in-house Bassist. I have been featured on recordings such as “I Walk On”, “So I Ride”, “Long Distance”, and “Good Day to Die” I also am currently working on a debut album of my own. This will include a mix of covers, and half original songs composed by me. I am most grateful for everyone who has helped contribute to this project, including my friends Jake Neuman, Chandler Chell, my Producer Ryan Lindsey, and Spark Studios CEO Jak Fiddler. I am very proud of how this album is turning out, and for everyone’s contributions. You will be able to hear all of their work on the album later this spring!
How do you define success?
I define success by how one treats others. When the lights are down, and the show is over, how do you treat others? How do you respond to those who sing your praises after a show? How do you interact with patrons? How do you treat your fellow performers? What does your supportive circle look like? And most importantly, how do you carry yourself? We see the tremendous amount of talent in the world of performers online, and many of them have incredible gifts to share. The true test of success to me is less about numbers though, and most about quality. I myself have been working constantly to build a circle of good people who not only uplift and encourage one another, but also extend that same gift to others. It is truly a gift to me at this time to be surrounded by people who love me and my work, and who are very supportive of my ambitions, however wild they may seem. To me, success is the friends who build with you.
I want to thank a few people who are responsible for my being here today. Firstly to my friends of the stage and behind the scenes, many whom I have performed with. You all inform me so much as a performer and uplift me always. Next my family, my parents and sister in particular, who always push me to pursue this dream of mine. To my High School teachers Ben Warren and Melody Allen, who helped me to find my voice on the stage. I attribute a lot of my success to them and their guidance. And finally to my newer friends at the Lakewood Theater. We may not have known one another for very long, but you all are truly great people and have become my family. I am grateful for you all and for you support and love of me. I would not be here today without all of these amazing people in my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095318292474
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/feed/you
