Allow me to introduce you to my aussie friend, Trysette. (I had a previous blog post on her a week or so ago just to give you a little taste of this gem of a gal!)

I first met Trysette when a friend of mine, Nikki, visited me over a year ago. They happened to meet on the super shuttle coming into the city. Fast forward, we all had lunch together and I fell in love with her music. She returned over a year later and we spent time taking photos and recording some video clips for her song, That Face, from her recently released cd, Le Cafe Ancien. What fun we had spending time on the city streets and in Central Park. I will always treasure those days and our time together!

Trysette also took the time to answer a few of my questions about her musical career.

How old were you when you just knew music would be a huge part of your life?

Music was always a huge part of my life, but more of a discipline growing up than a passion as I was classically trained on the piano. It started becoming a passion in my late teens when I began to play more by ear, working out songs off the radio to play and sing for my own pleasure. Then at 19, I wrote my first song and that’s when I discovered the true meaning of creative fullfillment for myself! That’s when I knew I would be a singer songwriter, but I travelled the world a bit before I embarked on my musical journey.

What kind of jobs have you had in order to support yourself as you built your music career?

Good question. I could never stick at any one thing for too long… so I have done a lot of different jobs including vocal tutor, travel consultant, safari hostess/cook, nanny and of course waitress.

What does it feel like when you hear your music on the radio or playing in someone’s home?

I love to hear it on the radio because for some reason I can listen as if it’s not me, but when someone wants to put it on in their home when I’m there, I tend to feel a little uncomfortable. After a while I settle in, but I prefer people listen to my music in their own time and not just because I’m there.

What inspires the lyrics to your music?

Life! Everything that happens in my life is a source of inspiration, but I tend to write mostly about that “crazy little thing called LOVE”. I’m more connected with the songs that come from heartache and I know that sounds cliche, but it’s true. I have songs that I like that have come from good situations, but I don’t enjoy playing them as much as the ones borne from a darker place.

If there’s one place you dream of performing where would that be?

I think if I got to play at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London and similar theatres around the world, then I would be a very satisfied girl!

How have you and your music changed over the past five or so years?

Personally, I think that my music has finally matured and it’s like I was saying earlier, a good dose of heartache will do it every time. The last five years for me have been particularly challenging and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons which I think have made me a better person and a better musician.

Any words of wisdom to the person just getting started in their musical career?

Well, I think that I’ve done everything backwards. I started with a band and I’m now doing the solo journey. I think I’m a much better performer for having played solo now for a while, but to be honest, I didn’t have the confidence to do that when I was younger. The most important thing of course is to have fun! Don’t get too caught up in the business of it. Write, sing, play because you love to do it, not because you think it might make you famous or wealthy.

Now you see why she’s a gem?!

Here’s the video!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvc5cw0gGG4&fs=1&hl=en_US]

And here’s a sampling of many photos that I took of her while visiting MY city!

Hurry back! The door will always be open!