Today we’d like to introduce you to Trey Everett.
Hi Trey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a town right outside of Houston, TX. I was always drawn to the arts; acting, singing, etc. That led me to eventually moving to Los Angeles in 2006 to pursue acting. I went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood for a year before leaving to grind the audition circuit. After a few years of flirting with a stable income from a little bit tv parts and indie films, I realized that acting was not going to be a career for me.
That’s pretty much when I transitioned to writing. Scripts, short stories, stage plays, feature films, etc. Eventually, I decided to try my hand at writing a novel, and in 2018, I finished my first book, “Beneath the Surface.” I ended up getting to work with Texas-based indie publisher Black Rose Writing, and they published that first novel on December 16, 2021. I actually have a new book that they are also publishing called “For It Will Be Yours” set to get released on September 21, 2021 (the day after my birthday!).
In addition to writing, I have also played music pretty much my entire life, various bands and such. Music is such a massive passion and a huge part of my creative life. I currently play drums for the indie folk band Moonlight Graham, and I just recently started releasing music under my brand new solo project, ladyortiger.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Oof. Has it been a smooth road…
I think any road worth taking has to have some bumps in it. As an artist, and I’m sure loads of other artists can relate, I feel things very intensely. And usually, if I’ve made my mind up — that’s it. That’s the plan. So for being a 17-year-old, moving to Los Angeles virtually alone to pursue acting, it was a quite a big blow to my ego when I realized that I wasn’t going to be a successful actor. I wasn’t going to beat Adrien Brody to be the youngest ever Best Actor Oscar winner (an actual fantasy that 17-year-old Trey spoke affirmations out loud about haha).
Realizing this thing I had told myself was my future wasn’t going to actually be my future was tough. But it ultimately led me to discover that I felt so much stronger about these other outlets; writing and music.
I’d say now, in my 30’s, the road hasn’t really gotten all that much smoother. Constant comparisons to other artists I love, constant imposter syndrome, that voice in your head that says “you’ll never be good enough.” These aren’t groundbreaking ideas, but rather, thoughts and feelings every artist experiences. Right?
I think a huge part of my creative life now, as I get older, is to remind myself to really, really love the process. Love working on new chapters in coffee shops, and finding that character’s voice; love thinking of that perfect rhyme for the second verse of that song you’re working on, and getting to record it in the studio. Love those moments, they are the reward. Those are the things you have to really fall in love with because those are really the only things you can ensure you experience.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
There are really those two aspects of my work: writing and music.
As a writer, I’ve written anything from staged plays to feature film scripts to novels. The two pieces of writing I think I feel most proud of are 1) a play I wrote called “By the End of Tonight” and 2) my upcoming, soon-to-be-published novel, “For It Will Be Yours.”
“By the End of Tonight” is a play about a man who has decided to take his own life. I know that sounds heavy and super dark, and I promise it is, but I love it because I think I was able to take this really intense topic and bring some levity to it. I’ve had several people in my life make that decision, and writing this piece was a really cathartic way to try and understand their perspective in making a decision like that. I feel proud of this piece of theatre because I feel like I’m honoring them in some really beautiful ways. I hope I am, at least.
“For It Will Be Yours” (out September 21, 2023 via Black Rose Writing) is a suspense novel about a struggling artist who seemingly achieves overnight success after inheriting a painting from a famous relative. We get to follow this character from rags to riches while he tries to figure out if there is more to this piece of art he inherited. Did he really earn all of his very sudden success? Or is this piece of art responsible… spooky. Hahah.
As a musician, I have been really fortunate to do a lot of things I’m really proud of! I’ve shared stages with artists I really admire, I’ve gotten to tour around the country with my band, and I’ve written some songs I’m really, really proud of with my new solo project (ladyortiger).
I think be it in song, or prose, I’m really just trying to find unique, engaging stories to tell. I feel really lucky to have the chance to tell them.
What matters most to you? Why?
Man, these questions are big! Hahah.
I think what matters most to me has changed over the years. The older I get, the less intensely focused I am on the outcome of things. Things are going to happen how they happen, and we all have to be okay with that (or things just won’t ever happen, and that has to be okay too).
So what matters most to me right now, today, as I write this out, is like I mentioned earlier: really loving the process. Finding joy in the craft of making and creating art I feel really proud of.
Typing the words, strumming the chords, writing, performing, curating, discovering; creating. The process of the making the art I do for myself is what matters most to me. It’s the only thing I can count on, or really rely on. And I will be forever grateful for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.treyeverett.com
- Instagram: @treyeverett (writing); @ladyortigermusic (music)
- Twitter: @treyeverett
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYq38mqveaXhwBXxbHa7MmA
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6syfdeo9sLh3DI1NK7ue1o?si=OEN_ZrTVScC_pOoTT3CCgA
Image Credits
Katie McGhie (Rad Pine Creative)
