For our 8th Clapper Sounds Interview, we are highlighting a Clapper singer-songwriter: Tristan McIntosh!
Tristan McIntosh is a singer and songwriter on Clapper. She is multi-genre artist with influences from country to R&B and soul. We had an intimate Clapper Sounds interview with Tristan, where she shared her songwriting process, and her beginnings as a musician, and told us about the importance of practice and perseverance when it comes to music.
Clapper Sounds is meant to be an intimate musical experience, and we want that mission to translate into our written interviews too. As you read about @TristanMcIntosh, play their music in the background with our Spotify Playlist, and really get to know this artist’s unique sound.
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Let’s start from the beginning. What is your first memory of being involved with music? How did you start your artist journey?
I first started getting into music when I was 4 because I started taking piano lessons. I didn’t start singing until I was 9 or 10. That was when I was singing around the kitchen, and my mom heard me. She was like: “That’s kinda good”, so she took me to a vocal coach. She told the instructor, “Tell me if my daughter has talent, if not, don’t waste my time and my money.” They told her I was good so it’s been history since then.
How would you describe your musical style? Who are your biggest inspirations?
I would say I am influenced by a lot of different styles and artists. I grew up doing country music, that’s probably one of my biggest influences. As I got older I found myself inspired by not only country, but rock music and R&B, soul sounds. I’m just driven emotionally by genres. Whatever I feel has meaning and purpose. I’m inspired byt the way music makes you feel.
What is your songwriting process like?
It depends, but it usually starts with melody, wheter is vocal melody or on piano or guitar. I don’t usually start with lyrics, it takes a lot more time.
What are your thoughts on content creation as an artist? How do you feel about artists having to balance their social media presence and still be committed to their art?
I feel like a lot of artists think of it as “Man, I have to do this”, but recently sometimes I don’t feel like creating content. Some weeks are different than other weeks. I’ve never hated it, its almost another form of creativity in a way. It helps you expand your reach. I love creating content, just not daily. So, I don’t balance it very well. I guess when I am on the road and have more time I do it. If I perform I take whatever footage I have from the day and create a bunch of content. When I am by myself I just want to live in the moment and not post.
Do you have any side hustles other than music?
No actually. I used to be a waitress but I haven been able to stop doing that with music. I think its incredible, because I hate the other job.
Deciding to be an artist can have its ups and downs. What advice would you give to that young artist who is just getting into music and their dream is to be a musician?
The biggest thing I would have told myself when I was just starting is “Oh my god, practice”. I would never practice on my own, I would only practice when I would go for lessons. I naturally picked stuff up. If I would have practiced more I would be so much further in my music journey. The second advice is that you should not listen to everybody who gives you advice. You need to have discenrment for yourself. Only listen to the things that will age you in your venture. The negativity let it go from one ear throughout the other. They don’t know what you are capable of or what you’ve been through.
Make sure to check our recorded live session on our account Clapper Sounds and in our reels on Instagram. Enjoy the Clapper Sounds live session of the week!