Today we’d like to introduce you to Tristan Beck Torres.
Hi Tristan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Tristan! My story starts in Massachusetts. I was in high school and had found music production through my music teacher Sean Bilodeau, who was also my band director since middle school. His industry knowledge before becoming a teacher and integrating it so well into a curriculum was influential in forming the base of who I am and where I am now. I was so privileged to have the opportunities to make, record, and do live sound as a high schooler with technology that wasn’t really known in a public school music program. I was able to participate in an independent study my junior year and complete a music production-related senior project which was possible because of his support. While I was doing other forms of creative disciplines (spray-painting, sketching, digital art, poetry) music is at my core. I was so excited that the Multimedia Arts and Technology program at Western Michigan University recognized the four years of creative work I had done. I’ve been able to be a part of a constructive community that has been supportive and collaborative. As a result, I’ve been able to achieve so many goals sooner than I thought ever would.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth ride. COVID-19 is a primary factor in how many of these challenges arose. Having my senior year of high school cut into virtual as well as starting my freshman year with the majority of my classes online and little in-person classes was not the best. All of this on top of becoming an adult in this crazy world we live in. Balancing it all has affected me, but luckily it is a challenge I’ve been taking the time to understand. In some way its been smooth but that’s thanks to the support I’ve gotten along the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Through my degree, I’ve been able to take many classes that branch out into different studies. A class I took this semester was called Technology in the Arts. We learned about a game development program called Unity and how to use it as a tool to enhance the arts. We used animation, and motion capture (fun fact WMU has a motion capture studio!), and explore other emerging technologies, and art forms that use technology. Another one was Graphic and Printing Science. We learned different forms of printing to create notepads to t-shirts. These classes teach me the tools to be even more creative.
On my Instagram, you can see my motion capture project which I worked on for that class with the help of Juliana Shatrau, who did the movements that were captured, and Sophia Smith who helped out with other groups’ projects and is another fellow MAT major! That is a great example of where I’m thinking of exploring more in the future. I also made two songs at the Khorman recording studio and my personal studio this semester. I plan on releasing the one I made at home on all streaming services and other songs this summer and its demo titled the Anything Goes Project and the Khorman studio Cover Project are on Instagram and TikTok under my name. I’m also planning on talking about the two music projects in-depth on social media this summer.
Right now, I’m diversifying my portfolio. I would say I’m specializing in creative experiences and professional audio. We live in a DIY culture now thanks to how technology has flourished that is being utilized in new imaginative ways and can now be used to exhibit them. Especially after I graduate, which I know is in a few years but if you follow my crazy journey, something cool is going to happen soon that will showcase all of the hard work I’m putting in now. I’m lucky to be able to do this in and out of an academic environment in which I can explore this and my studies which relate in many ways. As I want to do a lot of things, I’ve been very lucky to have the time to work on these projects and have found people who have given me constructive support and advice, which I’m so grateful for. I’ve become very proud of what I’ve been creating, which has opened many paths I plan on exploring. What sets me apart is how I create, I go with the flow in many ways, and it has opened many opportunities and connections. I only see growth in the future.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think risk-taking is a way one can grow. I honestly think going to college has been a huge risk. It is a topic that is talked about in creative industries, especially music. It’s not necessary to go to college, and even though I may have not been the best academically as many challenges are still there, how college has structured my creativity has been the payoff on top of the connections I’ve made and the spaces that I have access to work in. Another big risk I’m taking is some projects that can merge with other academic projects which will open amazing opportunities and something to showcase as a path for creativity in the future. A huge payoff that is becoming more and more realistic.
Contact Info:
- Email: brooktowersmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tribecktorres?igshid=1pyrbqeyymc96
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZKMhp6G1raUxceJYUQlDWw
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Tribecktorres
