An Inspired Chat with Trevor Toms

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Trevor Toms. Check out our conversation below.

Trevor, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
I have teachers in many different aspects of my life, some whom I know personally, and others whom I follow online or in print. In the music business, I have been learning a lot from Wayne Martin who is a business coach of mine, and a deeply engaging, thoughtful, mind. Sadhguru is an Indian spiritual leader, who does a lot of community outreach and education on soil sustainability though the Isha Foundation. Additionally, I have many contemporaries here in Nashville, who are expanding my mind and range as an artist through their songwriting, and creativity.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a storyteller, with a unique capacity to resonate with people, making them feel seen and heard, in hopes that whatever obstacle they face in love and loss, they can overcome with a friend by their side. Whether its a ripping harmonica solo over the clash of guitars, or the tears in your beer to sorrowful lament, I create moments.

My latest album, “AmeriF’nKinda”, tells stories that connect us: stories of loss and love, hardship and heroism, youth and maturity. The rising Alt-Country record has sold more than three-hundred vinyl copies around the country, and has taken me and the band all over the world. I am very proud of this album, and so excited to share it with you.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Wow, that’s a deep question that will need a little background. I grew up in a broken home with an alcoholic mother and divorced parents. There was a lot of love, but there was a lot of hurt, and I had to grow up quickly. I learned to be self-reliant at an early age, and learned to put up mental and emotional walls to keep myself safe from the abandonment and uncertainty I experienced as a child. That independent, unflappable attitude was very useful in achieving my goals as a young man, but it also resulted in arms-length relationships with people and jobs. I have done a lot of work to heal that inner child, and to tear down those walls, and my art has grown deeper, more intentional, and honest because of it.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering and success are both equally ephemeral, and largely a matter of perspective. I don’t think that the two are separate like your question suggests, but I would say that suffering is easier to recall, and so, lessons learned through negative experiences are longer lasting.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There’s a notion that artists must be tormented to produce great art. David Lynch has an interesting quote about this: “the [artist] doesn’t have to be suffering to show suffering. You can show it, show the human condition, show conflicts and contrasts, but you don’t have to go through that yourself. You are the orchestrator of it, but you’re not in it. Let your characters do the suffering… The more the artist is suffering, the less creative he is going to be. It’s less likely that he is going to enjoy his work and less likely that he will be able to do really good work”.

Artists may take inspiration from conflict, suffering, negativity, but they don’t have to fall on their sword and martyr themselves to truly inspire others. That’s just overly dramatic, and an exhausted trope in the arts.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
My most peaceful state, is high above the tree line and the clouds, in the Rocky Mountains, alone. That is when I feel most closely connected to The Source. I truly believe that creativity is a gift, and those who wield it are conduits that connect people together, and with something bigger than themselves. I gain a lot of peace on the mountaintop, but I also gain a lot of power from performing onstage, connecting with people.

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Image Credits
Austin Dellamano, Joel Grimes

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