Img

ProfessorB

"I really never thought of myself as unique. I'm just another soulja in the battle to inspire positivity to others." - Professor B. Check out our exclusive interview with the reggae rocker.

View more
img13

RockThePhoto

Jamsterdam Radio wants your best live performance photo for our #RockThePhoto contest. Send it!

View more
img13

Top5

We drop our Top 5 list for rappers to look out for in 2016. Listen for these artists coming to a speaker near you.

View more
Hey Readers!

  There was this band that has been mentioned on the site since they played at Art Fusion at Mel Lastman Square back in May.  Now TROVE, which consists of Aryn Powell (vox/guitar), Alexa Pavao (bass), Matt "Chewy" Chaitram (guitar), and Matt Bellissimo (drums) has since been in the Jamsterdam Radio rotation since last month with their single "Ambition" off their self-entitled album.  I got to catch up with TROVE frontman, Aryn Powell.  Check it out:


JGIC:  What inspired you to get into music?
AP: Personally, I would say my Dad.  I grew up listening to everything he did, and fortunately for me, he has very good taste!  Listening to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Police, specifically, at such a young age definitely set me on the right path.  He listens to all genres, and always pointed out the best aspects of songwriting, performance, and emotion in music.  I became very aware of what made a great song GREAT, and I was obsessed.  90’s music had a massive impact on me, as well.  Mostly grunge, rock, and metal...but also video game music.  It was really amazing back then!  As a self taught musician, I learned guitar by playing along with my CDs, which in my mind was like jamming with a live band.  It also taught me to play by ear, and over time, how to sing.  After I became a somewhat competent player, I just started writing like mad.  Songwriting is my passion, and the creation process is what inspires me the most.
JGIC: How did you start?
AP: Chewy, Alexa, Matt, and I all worked at a record store together and in the process, we became very good friends.  I had actually written the TROVE album and started recording it before I had a band assembled.  I ended up playing the songs for them on separate occasions, and they all offered to jam with me if I ever decided to start a band.  I stressed that if we were really going to do this, commitment and sacrifice were huge factors.  Fortunately, we were all on the same page.
JGIC: How did you come up with the band name "TROVE"?
AP: “TROVE” refers to a treasure trove.  Essentially, the band itself is the trove, and the treasure is the music and friendship we all share.  Also, one-word band names are more memorable.  It’s got a nice ring to it.
JGIC: What are your top 3 fondest moments being an artist?
AP: Writing my first song would have to be up there.  I’m sure it wasn’t very good, but it got the ball rolling for me - It was an incredible feeling! 
Next would have to be the first time I played in front of a crowd.  It was at my high school for a talent show, and I was scared to death!  I played an original song with a couple of friends and as nervous as we were, we killed it!  Hearing the applause afterward still rings in my ears to this day.  It was literally that moment that I realized what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. 
Finally, I would have to go with the TROVE CD Release Party.  It’s a current memory, but it was so much fun!  A lot of work went into that night and we really knocked it out of the park.
JGIC: What do you find is the toughest part of being an artist?
AP:There are a lot of things I can ramble about here, but without a doubt, all the toughest parts involve money.  It’s the sole reason that bands struggle so much.  It can be difficult to balance things out sometimes, but we’ve been pretty good about making ends meet.  After all, you’ve gotta spend money to make money.
JGIC: Favorite bands?
AP: My favourite bands of all time are mostly classic bands, like I had mentioned earlier.  But I listen to a LOT of music!  Some of my other favs would be Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Silverchair, Incubus, Foo Fighters, Big Wreck, White Zombie, Metallica, Fear Factory, Nine Inch Nails, Korn, Queens of the Stone Age, Deftones, Tool, The Doors, System of a Down, Sepultura, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns n’ Roses, Rage Against the Machine, Oasis, and Portishead.
JGIC: So, basically you listen to all the good stuff!  Deftones is one of my fave bands as well!  I have seen one too many musicians with jealous girlfriends because the stereotype about musicians is that chicks dig them, so of course, there would be potential for groupies hanging around them. If you are/were in relationships, how would you deal with groupies?
AP: Well, we all like groupies...so we just stay single!  Girlfriends break up bands.  Anytime I’ve ever been in a band where “relationships” are involved, the inevitability of it all falling apart is very likely.  I’m convinced that things in TROVE are moving smoothly because we aren’t tied down, which is a first for me.  When I used to play gigs back in tha day with a girlfriend around, I didn’t have to deal with the groupies...she usually would.  Then I would get yelled at for being hit on, haha!  I definitely don’t miss those days.
     JGIC: If you could form a “dream tour” with any musicians of your choice, deceased or living, who would you choose?
AP: Good question!  If we’re talking about bands that are still rolling, I would love to tour with Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Incubus.  If they we’re still together, I’d throw in Silverchair, Guns n’ Roses, and fookin’ Oasis!
      JGIC: Any shout outs?
AP: To everyone who’s stuck it out with us.  You guys make it all worthwhile...thank you for your continued support!
JGIC: Anything else you would like to add? (Upcoming shows, etc..)
AP: We’ll be playing very routinely now that the album is out, but one show I’ve absolutely gotta plug is our Friday Oct 18th opening slot for ANVIL at The Rockpile West.  We’re super stoked for this one!  Tickets are $25...but for $30, we’ll throw in a TROVE CD, a button, and a sticker!  Get ‘em while they’re hot...It’s gonna be a wild night!!!
Stay in touch!  If you’d like to keep up with the band, check out any or all of the links below:
Thanks again, Krystal!  Hope to see you at one of our upcoming shows!
JGIC:  Thank you Aryn for your time and this awesome interview!

To hear TROVE's single "Ambition" on your fave radio station, tune into the Jamsterdam Top 10 countdown every morning at 10 am EST, or midnight EST right here on jamsterdamradio.com!

@JerZGrlinCanada




Share this article!.
View or Make a Comment

0 comments: