Silence and Whistling: An Interview With D. Trevlon
Silence & Whistling: An Interview With D. Trevlon
By Melissa Smith
Melissa: First let’s get the most obvious question out of the way: What does the D in D Trevlon stand for?
D: Well the D stands for definitely been asked that 1,000 times. Do you really wanna know?
Yes.
(silence)
OK. First point in the awkward silence Olympics goes to you! Let’s talk about your EP. A Dance under the Stars is your first release since 2005’s full length To the Dusty Moon and You. Is there a reason you chose to record an EP this time out?
There wasn’t really any reason why I chose to make the album an EP. It just happened that I had written those songs in that same week and figured I would record them. A bad long album bores the shit out of people.
You originally released To the Dusty Moon and You in 2005 and it was re-released by LA based indie label Desert Highway in 2006. In your opinion what are the advantages and disadvantages of self producing vs. working with an indie?
I decided to record it myself because even after making many mistakes in life I still trust myself and know what I’m looking for in my music. Keep it simple, is what I say. Perhaps down the road I’ll grow fond of a studio but for now I like to work on my own. If I’m going to leave these songs behind, I want it to be 100% original art.
Speaking of art, both the cover for To the Dusty Moon and You and A Dance under the Stars are thematically similar, in a style that I would describe as David Lynch meets Salvador Dali on a lonesome prairie. Why this particular design concept and is there a reason for the stylistic carry over in the cover art? How do you think the images match your country/folk sound?
I guess I carried over the style because I liked the look, but I have no idea if the cover art fits the music. I’ve really always enjoyed the moon and the look of a couple dancing. People believe that you should have a good cover but for me it’s about the music, not the cover. Although I am a big fan of Lynch.
You will be playing in Austin twice for SXSW. That must be very exciting for you to perform in a city with such a vibrant musical scene. Any plans while you’re there?
Austin is the first large festival I’ll be playing. I’ll most likely keep to myself. I’m not one for crowded streets. I’m looking forward to the adventure but I’m sure it will be a week of rubbing backs and scratching sacs and I’m not into either.
So, what are your thoughts on the music scene in Vancouver?
I don’t know what a music scene is. Are there many great players here in Vancouver? Fuck yeah, lots. It’s the same everywhere. You get what you put into it and if for some reason this so called scene doesn’t allow you to be apart of it, don’t worry about it. I’m sure you’re only missing hangovers and drama.
Your singing voice is quite distinctive but another characteristic of your sound is the whistling. Why did you decide to feature whistling in your music?
My grandfather would whistle for hours, sometimes drive me up the wall. He is good, way better than me. He’s a songbird trapped in a grandfather’s body I’d say. I started in 2005, on the song Here I Am, There You Are. I tried it live and it seemed to work. Some people, but not all, enjoyed it and that was good enough for me. Perhaps I do it to carry on my grandfather Cec’s character. I think most of all; it reminds me of my youth. I’m really not a great whistler but I do what works for me.
I would have to disagree with you on that one. I think your whistling skills are very well developed. So besides your grandfather, what else inspires you to make music?
For the most part, it’s the ladies that inspire me most. Let’s see, what else? Life, love and imagination. Reality bores me most days so why not live in a world you can enjoy, even if it’s only in your mind.
How do you imagine your career developing? Do you have a plan in mind or is the process more organic for you?
I make no plans, nor will I. Go with the flow I will. Good or bad, I’ll take it. The music business is a game, full of lies and lust. But there is some good; you just have to find it. I’ll keep writing til the day I die. Perhaps not play as much, we shall see. I know myself well. The road and I, well we tend to find trouble together.
If I was a good fairy and despite your propensity for finding trouble, decided to grant you two wishes, one professional and one personal (sorry but I am a greedy fairy and saved one wish for myself!), what would those wishes be?
I’m no pro so I’ll wish for The Modelos to be playing and touring around the world. I love them.
That’s very kind that you would transfer your one and only professional wish! What about your personal wish?
No wish please, they say be careful what you wish for… Oh, in that case, I’ll be greedy and take an island far, far away that has fresh fruit, a soft breeze, lots of rum, and a fair lady. I don’t dare say her name.
As you gave your first professional wish away and I am a particularly kind fairy, I will grant you another. Living or dead, who would be present at your dream jam and what songs would they play?
If I have a good feeling with someone I’ll jam, but I’m not a huge fan of it really and it’s not always easy to find someone to mesh with. I do jam with Po Kadot of Square Root of Margaret; we have a duo called the Ghost Town Minstrels if you wanna check us out on MySpace.
So rather than someone you already jam with, isn’t there anyone else? Are you saying that you wouldn’t take this wish either?
Definitely Lee Hazlewood and Humperdink. We would play any of their own songs, or Square Root of Margaret tunes. Or Love This Time by The Buttless Chaps.
I thought their song Master and Commander would be more to your tastes. That’s a musical change in direction; you’re certainly full of surprises today.
Still to this day I have no clue as to what direction life will take me. Nor do I want to know. I can honestly say I enjoy the twists and turns it offers. Not all, but most. The only true thing I know is music. The world is growing up too fast and I’ve never really understood it. But I do understand my purpose and that is to write music. I’ve lost and made friends along the way, I’ve lost touch with reality. It’s the best risk I’ve ever taken.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Just enjoy yourself. Find the good in things and people. It’s time for a more positive world, I’d say.
Thanks for your time.
See ya round, I’m sure.
Copyright C. 2008 Melissa Smith