It was a Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles. As I walk up to a photo studio in Downtown LA, to meet up with Trey Graves, he is already waiting outside with bass on hand, informing me that it’s been a long night, but that seems like the norm for him.
As we get set up, it is apparent that Trey Graves is no ordinary musician with roots from the soulful streets of Memphis, Tennessee, and transitioning to the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles; his journey has been filled with determination, creativity and heartfelt passion.
The conversation continues, he informs me that he just got off the road from an electrifying tour with Grammy-nominated Omar Apollo, who he played bass for on Omar’s God Said No world tour with 33 shows back to back.
Omar Apollo’s music can be described as alternative R&B and was recently a part of the Forbes 30 under 30 music list. Has gained a big fan base and those moments on tour are still echoing in Trey Graves mind.
You can feel that for Trey, growing up in Memphis really exposed him to a mix of sounds, everything from the deep blues and rock ‘n’ roll traditions of his hometown to the raw energy of modern trap and rap.
Trey sits down for a break and we touch on the subject of social media, Trey reveals, “Social media has impacted me as an artist because it’s allowed me to have influences from so many regions.”
Being able to connect with artists in Los Angeles and becoming part of the music community, from connections made from social media platforms. Now some of those connections have become close friendships and mentors.
The digital age has opened doors, It is apparent that the influence has helped him see beyond the familiar bubble of his local scene, inspiring him to embrace new genres and fuse them with his own emerging style.
For Trey, music was always a bridge between the past and present. His father, who is a musician as well, was born and raised in Los Angeles before settling in Memphis years later in his career; this unique duality is in Trey’s DNA.
This personal connection to Los Angeles had always burned quietly in the back of his mind. Now, as he stands with his burgeoning career in the City of Angels, it has all begun to come together.
“My dad gave me this amazing, eclectic upbringing,” Trey remarked. “While I was influenced by the deep soul of Memphis, his West Coast, hippie vibe always reminded me of LA.”
Trey’s journey is very much a testament to his resilience. He has spent years honing his craft and building a reputation on streaming platforms, first as the guy behind the bass and now as a solo act with a very distinct voice.
You can describe his music as being infused with this infectious groove and innovative sounds. It soon found its way to various digital platforms where listeners from around the world could access it.
The tour with Omar Apollo has been a turning point for him. As he traveled across cities, performing for large crowds, whether he was engaging with fans after a show or in a random jam session with Anderson Paak or Chaka Khan. Trey has this raw authenticity and kindness that resonated deeply.
“Mindset is everything,” Trey said. “Failure is a good thing. You learn from it and use it to make yourself better.”
He has learned invaluable lessons about attraction, failure, and success. This tenderness is a key part of what Trey says sets him apart.
Whether booking gigs himself, handling emails, or simply taking time to thank every person who supported him along the way, Trey’s humility has a way of shining through it all. In our conversation, he made a point to touch on this subject.
“No, I don’t think you need a big team,” he shared. “With the Internet, you have so much access you can do everything yourself.” He has not been overwhelmed by the idea of taking his own career into his own hands to succeed. This self-reliance, blended with genuine care for his craft, made him a role model of sorts for aspiring musicians everywhere.
Despite the successes and the whirlwind of a world tour, Trey’s heart has always been in his music. Late nights in the studio experimenting with sounds or tapping into his upbringing playing in the church.
He tunes into the process of creating, driven by the wide ranging influences that have shaped him over the years.
Now, as his music continues to gain traction on streaming platforms, the story of Trey Graves is only just beginning. An artist determined to leave his own mark on the industry. Word has been spreading about this sweet, sincere, and supremely talented musician. He is one to watch.
For anyone seeking inspiration, Trey’s message was clear as we sat down and spoke. Embrace both your failures and successes, learn from each experience, and let your passion drive you forward.
