Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: I was a huge John Mayer Fan when I was younger figuring this songwriting thing. At that time in my life the way John was delivering lyrics and melody spoke to me. My favorite song was from His Continuum Record at the time and it was “Slow Dancing In A Burning Room”. The opening guitar line seemed to usher in a wave of emotions while the lyrics ” It’s not a silly little moment, It’s not the storm before the calm” set a perfect stage for the intent of the song. There were other artists I like but none influenced me like John Mayer when I was young.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Hard Working Man’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yes there is. I wrote the song for my grandfather. When we were kids, he was so hard on us and the resounding Lesson was being a ” Hard Working Man”. This isn’t something I truly understood until I was older and had a family of my own. This was a way to honor his influence on me growing up and make those memories of him immortalized, knowing there will soon come a day that I wont have him around for guidance on life’s tough moments.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: Yes. Myself and the band are headed back to Muscle Shoals Alabama this September to finish our first EP as Trent Beaver & The Damage. we are hoping it will be available by the first of the year.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: Ive always been a storyteller first. I believe the key element of our music are the stories told. As far as our sound, Thats a hard one to answer. When I am writing a new song I never account for style or genre while creating, That is usually determined in the studio when we finalize our approach. But if I could put my finger on it, I would say we have tendency to lean on an Americana sound.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: For years it was hard to see fulfillment, but as time has gone on, it seems less daunting and more purposeful. Ive always understood that it wasn’t going to be an easy road but there was a moment during covid when we couldn’t play for people that hit me like a ton of bricks. It wasn’t the feeling of disappointment that “I” couldn’t play but it was a heart breaking moment of realizing I couldn’t be a part of peoples night out. People go to concerts and bars and party to forget about the bad times. Nowadays I feel its my responsibility as an artist to entertain and try to help people through my music. Music is medicine.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: There isn’t a set of steps for me to get a song completed. I generally try to pay attention to my feelings and the world around me and every so often I get a spark of inspiration to write something down. But that will never happen if I don’t go out and experience life a bit. If I have a week where I’m spending time with friends and family, I generally will get that spark of inspiration at some point.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: When I was a junior in high school my friend Justin Hobart passed away in a car crash. He was the friend that would dare me to expand my mind and try things that I would never dream of doing like choir and theater. When he died, it shook our whole community. He was a star athlete, straight A student, played in band and most of all a great friend. That part of my life taught us all that it could all end in a flash. The following school year I dedicated my senior year to accomplishing all the things Justin dared me to do. That is the moment I found out I could sing and and had a knack for music. He changed my life and gave me a dream to chase. I owe him everything. I met my wife because of music which lead to my daughter being born and I wish I could see him one more time to thank him for everything. I think of him every time I take a stage.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I would say, the day I got fired from my job. A handful of years ago I worked for a tractor dealership as their General Manager and after 3 years of hard work I got canned. Instead of finding another job I decided at that moment I would never work for anyone else ever again. The next day I started booking more shows and I am proud to say that, since then, I have been a full time singer songwriter.
