Meet Kerri Stewart of Glitter Trails in Echo Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kerri Stewart.

Kerri, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I got started playing guitar when I was ten years old. Nothing had ever captured my attention that deeply. It was never really a question if I would seriously pursue music, there wasn’t really another option in my mind. It became a large part of my identity at a very early age. I came to LA to attend music school at USC Thornton, where I completed my degree in May of 2017.

I played guitar in numerous bands, to only then realize that I really wanted to focus on my own solo project. That is how my passion project, Glitter Trails, got started. I write/produce all the music, and sing/play guitar in the five-piece live band. The music is alternative/dream rock, with the vocals having been compared to the likes of Victoria Legrand (Beach House) and Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs). The self-titled EP was released in October 2017, and the second EP, Back One Day, is in the final stages of mastering as we speak!

After focusing on writing/recording the last six months, the new focus will be as much live gigging as possible. Aside from Glitter Trails, I am currently playing guitar for Liv Slingerland, and about to go on tour playing keys/aux for Dylan Gardner in the Spring. When I am not writing/gigging, I am either teaching lessons or working as an assistant to Keith Armstrong at Pietown Sound.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not smooth. The hardest part about being in music is knowing when you have the skills and talent for something, but nobody knows who you are! This has happened to me in a number of roles. The best thing to do is to keep putting your best self out there, so people start to remember you! It takes time and patience.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I’ll focus on my band Glitter Trails here. I think one of the main distinguishing factors of my music is all of the overlapping melodic guitar layers. I usually just start playing riffing until it turns into something I like. The first layer usually ends up being the simple, unassuming part. Then I’ll create a voice memo or an actual loop on a pedal and keep messing around until something in the second layer catches my ear.

The songs almost always start out as two guitar layers with a lead vocal. I really utilize synthesizers in my music for that “glow” factor, although they take the spotlight for brief moments from time to time. I enjoy letting every instrument take its own melodic moment.

I am most proud of the fact that no musical choice I make is an arbitrary one. Every melody, fill, or effect has been carefully deliberated, and I think this intent is audible. I have been told by listeners that my voice is one of the main factors that distinguish from others.

What were you like growing up?
I was very shy. I think that is why I gravitated towards the guitar. It was something I could connect to.

Contact Info:

• Email: glittertrailsmgmt@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ggglittertrailsss/
• Other: https://ggglittertrailsss.bandcamp.com/album/glitter-trails

Image Credit:
Tess O’Connor, Zoe Citterman

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