Home > Home - Featured

10/31/2024

TR/ST - It's Pure Blackness (Interview)

By MATT HANSEN // Canadian darkwave artist will play Wonder Ballroom on November 17th  to promote the new album ‘Performance’

When Robert Alfons' first album as TR/ST debuted in 2012, it was a meeting of gloomy synths and forlorn themes that saw the band added to MFNW that year. Touring behind the sophomore effort Joyland in 2015 TR/ST played Mississippi Studios as a part of Red Bull Sound Select Concert Series. With every appearance in Portland Alfons has grown and evolved the moody performance he is known for. Which is why it was only natural his back to back albums Destroyer (Part 1 & 2) in 2019 saw TR/ST embrace a more ambient, melancholic mood of somber piano keys. But on the new album, Performance, Alfons is outstretching a leather gloved hand of invitation to dance again. 

I had the opportunity of speaking to Alfons in 2014 before he played Berghain Kantine in Berlin, Germany on tour in support of the release ‘Joyland.’ The following interview has been unpublished until now:

Oregon Music News: When your debut came out it seemed to be panned by a lot of mainstream EDM critics, but fans have been quick to come to your defense claiming that said critics just aren't fans of your mix of genres. Where would you say TR/ST fits within electronic music, if at all?

TR/ST: I don’t think people really knew what to make of it, I’m finding this even more with ‘Joyland’. People keep asking me who’s the girl that sings on the record, and we can’t understand your lyrics.

OMN: You often give very esoteric descriptions of the sounds of your albums. When you are composing, do you often see things visually, including props and animals?

TR/ST: I actually see nothing, it’s pure blackness. There’s definitely swirls of feelings that ignite and anchor the music.

OMN: Have you ever played "Ghost Town" the arcade rifle shooter? The announcer's voice from that arcade game is the closest thing I could think of that is similar to your voice.

TR/ST: I haven’t! That sounds awesome. I haven’t played a lot of arcades actually; they were harder to find when I was young.

OMN: Can you name some video game soundtracks that influenced your albums?

TR/ST: Metal Gear Solid, Donkey Kong Country, Harvest Moon.

OMN: What is your attitude toward playing live each time you release a new album?

TR/ST: I definitely find because of live audiences that I was inclined to remix some of the work to have more rhythm and more energy. I think it will be nice to hide for a bit and not feel the pressure to make dance music.

OMN: Your single "Are We Arc?" displays a pretty impressive range in your voice. Have you always known you were capable of that kind of interplay between high-to-low, or is it something that just came out on the recording?

TR/ST: It’s something I’ve always been able to do, I guess because I wanted to be able to sing both the girl and boy parts in songs.

OMN: I have enjoyed your remixes of both Feist and Planningtorock. Are you approached often about doing remixes, and or are there many you have had to pass on?

TR/ST: I like to make mellow remixes, taking the vocals and doing something murky and moody with them. I guess I’ve chosen to do remixes of artists that I’ve been fans of, I think that’s the best approach.

OMN: Lastly, what are the requirements for your stage outfits as far as functionality and comfort? 

TR/ST: Fashion hurts, no? There’s definitely a standard of comfort to all the clothes I own though, I guess it would change if I started wearing chainmail or armor.

SHOW ALERT: TR/ST / PROVOKER / LIGHT ASYLUM at Wonder Ballroom on Sunday, November 17th, 2024. Doors 7:00PM / Show 8:00PM / (Tickets) 21+ Show 

Comments