PAUSE MEETS: Trevis
Trevis
Talks Floor Plan, adversity and the journey so far.
Interview: Thomas Woods // @thomaswoods_ Stylist: Taija-Leorelle Weekes // @Taija_Leorelle Photographer: Finn Waring // @finnwaring Talent: Trevis // @trevisbrendmoe
PAUSE meets Trevis, the eclectic singer-songwriter that refuses to let musical convention pin him down. Being born and raised in Norway, Trevis’ passion for music saw the genre-less hitmaker head to Los Angeles, California in pursuit of a career in the music industry. Since moving to America’s creative melting pot, Trevis has sat in A-list recording sessions with the likes of Chris Martin, Ariana Grande, Machine Gun Kelly and more, taking notes on how the best of the best take on the creative process.
Coming in hot with his newest Floor Plan EP, Trevis sat down with PAUSE to discuss the reception to the record, setbacks in his teenage years, as well as what his future looks like creatively.
Hat – New Era
Co-ord – Marni (Mr Porter Exclusive), Hat – New Era, Trainers – Mihara Yasuhiro
How are you doing? How have you found the reception to Floor Plan so far?
The reception has been overwhelming since the first single. Especially the love from the UK. Waking up to artists I’ve loved and listened to playing my songs, to BBC 1Xtra supporting me and BBC RADIO 1 putting me on their Future Artist’s List has been extremely motivating and it’s inspiring me going into this next phase of my career. Got my eyes on London now and I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Getting into your early beginnings, you’ve had a very unique path to glory. Give me some of the key differences between Norway and LA… I can imagine that they’re two very contrasting places.
They are different worlds completely, but I’ve always managed to keep a good and humble balance between the two. I’ve been living in a suitcase for as long as I can remember and I go where my music takes me! Hollywood is the capital of entertainment and there are endless possibilities with the right moves. For me, making music, shooting music videos, and everything creative, I tend to do it over in LA. I’ve got my team, we all work out there and we bring it back to Europe. I’d release my music in Norway and try to do as many shows as I can. I’m still Norwegian and I’m always back home with my family and friends. It’s a good contrast, but it’s always hard to leave the LA weather.
How did that shape you personally and creatively? Do you feel like things would look a completely different way if you removed one of those places from your journey?
100%. I’m a product of my environment, and everything I’ve experienced, seen, tasted, heard, and felt has shaped who I am today. Moving to LA by myself when I was just 16 years old was a 180 on everything leading up to that moment. It was so far out of my comfort zone and it wasn’t easy, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Personally, it definitely gave me another layer of skin. Creatively, I studied the craft by spending weekends and after school in the back of Harmony Samuels and the BOE Camp studio sessions, listening and watching top-tier musicians in their space. Creating music became my therapy and healthy outlet.
Coat – Coach, T-Shirt – Coach, Jeans – Sunflower, Trainers – Balenciaga
You’ve previously discussed the influences on your music from various parts of Norwegian culture. What specific parts of Norwegian music do you draw from? Melodies, instrumentation… it could be anything.
My influences from Norwegian music only came from my father and grandfather. My dad would play me Norwegian folk songs on the guitar for as long as I could remember. My late grandfather ran the first and biggest record vinyl store in Norway back in the day. He was the man everyone went to for new music and recommendations. He had vinyls for days and would play me something new and unheard of all the time.
Getting into Floor Plan, your latest body of work, where do you sit with it now that it’s out in the world? When you release something, do you try and immediately push onto other work? Or do you like to enjoy the reception to your art?
I’m insanely proud and happy for my first EP project to be out and into the world. I’m really proud of the team and myself for putting it together. Last year was a crazy one for me, I spent all my hours, every day, every week for 6 months locked in working on music. I had just started really producing records as well and it sparked a new obsession for me. I wrote and produced on all the songs on Floor Plan and that has also made this EP debut really special to me. I couldn’t be happier with it and its reception, and I’m looking forward to keeping on promoting and pushing it… and to start working on the next one.
To those who might not be familiar with you or your work, what does Floor Plan do to introduce you as an artist?
Floor Plan is the perfect representation of how I am as an artist in this space and time. I collide my vast musical influences, from my dad playing folk-indie guitar growing up, to moving alone at 16 to America and attending high school in Los Angeles, where the only music you’d hear would be hip-hop, trap, and R&B. I love where I’m at mentally, musically and artistically and fans can expect my greatest work yet. Last year, I must’ve made 50-60 songs. So every song on Floor Plan is there for a reason. I didn’t want to come into the game chasing the big pop records with my face plastered on the music video screen. I wanted the first look into Trevis to be raw and authentically me. I don’t like to chase what others are doing, I want people to feel something in my songs when they press play and I hope Floor Plan does that for you.
Touching on genre, a lot of this body of work obviously intertwines elements of trap, acoustic, and classic singer-songwriter music. Where do you stand on the state of genre in modern music? Do you think it’s a thing of the past?
I like to say I dabble in genres. My sound is pop music with a heavy influence of R&B. I would definitely say genre lines in modern music are being blurred more than ever, but I wouldn’t call them a thing of the past. For me, as long as what you’re doing is authentically you and you’re not trying to do or be someone you’re not, go for it. There has to be a cohesive thread to your music and your sound, otherwise, it’ll eventually fall through. It has to be honest.
I’ve also read that adversity has been a big part of your journey, having overcome several knockbacks. What advice would you give to artists who feel as though the road ahead is empty for them?
You’ve got to really love and believe in what you do to go through some of the setbacks and tough times that come with it. You’ve got to be the one to motivate yourself when no one else is watching. It’s the only way. Struggling is a part of the process. Never quit. Keep going young G.
In reference to your prior career in football and its unfortunate end, what words would you give to young people who have faced a setback similar to yours?
I was lost in life and felt as if everything I’d ever worked for was for nothing. I know what it’s like to be at your lowest low, and not see a way to get out. Give yourself some time to bounce back. Don’t be afraid to open up and fall in love with a new passion. A new change of scenery helps, good people around you is key.
Have you toured/performed abroad yet? If so, where are some of your favorite places to perform?
Since I started putting music out I’ve gotten to perform my music all over the world from Norway to Sweden, Spain to Singapore. My favourite place I’ve performed to date was the last show I did before Covid. It was a sold-out stadium show in my hometown Oslo, in front of 20,000+ people. It was a full circle moment for me, playing at home, being 15 minutes from the house I grew up in, and having started this journey there. To see how far I’ve come… it motivated me to go 100x harder.
What are some career milestones for you? Whether that be touring, accolades, or connecting with certain musicians.
I like to call my career milestones ‘career moments’ to celebrate all the small victories as well. A career moment for me this year was DJ Target at BBC 1xtra premiering my debut single “All Night” before the song dropped. And not to mention the early support from the OG Wretch 32, who showed me mad love on the record. Another special moment was warming up for a sold-out Craig David show in Spain in front of 2,500 people this summer. Releasing my debut EP Floor Plan was a big moment of course. Lastly, BBC RADIO 1 putting me up on their Future Artist list with “Let Me Know” recently made me emotional.
Can you name some of your mentors?
Ola Sanusi. My manager, best friend, and biggest mentor. I’ve known him since I was 11 years old and he’s mentored me in my career and personal life to where I am today. That’s love forever.
Are there any other creative avenues you’d like to explore away from music?
Right now all I can think about creatively is writing more, keep sharpening up my production skills, and recording music for the next project. That’s my favourite creative avenue and calling. I really love it.
Ideally, what does 2023 hold for you?
Growth, health, family, and success. My main goal is to keep building. You can expect a lot from me as we’re releasing a ton of new music, collaborations, and visuals. My favourite thing to do is perform, and I’ll be on a stage near you soon!
Jacket – Marcelo Burlon, T-Shirt – Marcelo Burlon, Trousers – Marcelo Burlon, Hat – Chrome Hearts
Follow Trevis on Instagram
