Conversations with Trevor Snow

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trevor Snow.

Hi Trevor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Trevor Snow. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area (go Giants), and spent time in the Southwest before landing in Los Angeles in November of 2021.

Many musicians had an interest in music from an early age, and I’m no different. However, it wasn’t until I got my first guitar (a crummy Epiphone acoustic that sadly expired years ago) on Christmas in 2004 at age 11 that I saw myself as someone who could play and make music. From there, the obsession took hold. I always had a relaxed approach to my training, so it wasn’t until I was probably 15 that I started to really get serious about my craft. I’d been trying to write Green Day-ish songs the whole time of course, but until I heard Muse for the first time, I was fine with just knowing enough to play chords and melodies. I fronted a three piece in middle school to play a cover of Green Day’s “When I Come Around” (I played bass and sang). Early in high school, I teamed up with my friend Ryan Finney (https://goodboycheerleader.bandcamp.com/) to write some songs for what we called Stress Therapy, and I learned so much from him about how to accomplish that. His current project Good Boy Cheerleader is awesome! I formed another three piece band my senior year of high school and we lasted long enough to play the talent show! (We were called Socks. Solid band name.)

I went off to college in 2011, and spent a year at San Jose State University before transferring to the now-closed Santa Fe University of Art & Design in the capital city of New Mexico. It was there that I became a more complete person and musician, opening myself up to influences musically and socially from around the country and the world. I also formed another power trio, this time focusing on instrumental progressive rock. (https://getsafe.bandcamp.com/)

After I graduated, I moved to Austin, TX, working in a hotel and teaching music lessons online. I expected to plug myself into the music scene there, but before long the COVID Pandemic hit. I was furloughed from my job and left with enough time on my hands to start songwriting again after a years long break to explore instrumental rock and EDM. Now teaching full-time from home, I was able to write, record, and release my debut EP “Change Out My Brain” (https://trevorsnow.bandcamp.com/album/change-out-my-brain). During this time, I also reconnected with my high school girlfriend/now-fiancee Jess, who was already living in LA and working as a unit stills photographer. (https://www.jessicaperezphoto.com/)

I saved up as much money as I could, moved out of my apartment in Austin back to Santa Fe in March 2021, then made my way further West in November 2021. I’ve been teaching private music lessons and playing in bands since I got here, and I couldn’t love this community any more than I do! Everyone’s been so accepting and open, I feel like I fit right in so easily here.

I finally started performing my solo project in January 2026, with yet another power trio! Our main haunt is Old Towne Pub in Pasadena, though we’ve also played The Troubadour, The Garage at MacLeod Brewing Co, and Universal Bar & Grill (for a solo set). I’ve also started throwing shows at Old Towne, booking my friends and bands I enjoy to curate a night of good music and good vibes. The next show I’m organizing is Sunday 12/6 and it’s indie rock night!

My solo project is taking a break for the last few months of the year to focus on throwing shows and writing songs for a new band, so stay tuned to my socials to hear more about that soon. Thank you so much for the opportunity to tell my story!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No journey is perfectly smooth. For example, my band Get Safe fell apart right after graduation, even though I stayed in Santa Fe to pursue it further. Austin wasn’t quite as welcoming as I’d hoped. I’ve had to struggle with balancing making ends meet and finding time for my creative outlets. Even as a kid I frequently felt out of place and misunderstood. I only wish I’d gotten to LA sooner, so I could have found my people in the music scene here!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The thing I spent the most time doing is teaching private music lessons at Guitar Ninjas at our locations in Burbank and Glendale. I caught the teaching bug one day in Santa Fe because I realized I had two things: a guitar and a laptop. I was so sick of working in hospitality so I found a website to teach lessons online in 2018. I haven’t stopped teaching since then! I love to share my passion with other aspiring musicians.

Creatively, my roots begin with Classic Rock and the Blues. It was those foundational genres that guided my early musical learning, especially Jimi Hendrix and George Harrison. When I first heard Green Day’s album “American Idiot,” I realized that good music could come from the modern day, too! I fell into the punk rock rabbit hole from there. I found heavier music like Lamb of God and Avenged Sevenfold and incorporated their styles into my playing as well.

What sets me apart from others is that if you send me something to listen to, no matter if it’s yours or some band you found on YouTube, I’m going to check it out and give you my thoughts. I feel it’s always important to check out art that’s shared with you, any art. I’m always looking for new influences and ideas, so just listening to my friends and other local bands is a great way to do it. It’s part of why I organize shows! Art is made to connect with, so let’s appreciate the art all around us even if it isn’t selling out the Forum. It makes us more human when we do.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think my DIY-attitude is crucial to my getting anywhere with this. I realized at some point I’d have be the one to make things happen, be it writing songs to form a band, or organizing shows so I’d have somewhere to play. Who needs corporate sponsors when you know of a small venue you can pack with your friends?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://trevorsnowmusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/trvrsnw
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/sozn

Image Credits
Jessica Perez (jessicaperezphoto.com)