Meet The Artist: Tristan Grant
Name: Tristan Grant aka Wolf Castle
City: Pabineau First Nation
Genre: Hip hop
A bit about myself:
I’m a Mi’kmaq rapper, producer and singer. I’ve been making music since I was 11 or 12 years old but only started taking it seriously when I was 16. Besides music, I always loved performing. It didn’t matter if it was a school play, being funny in class or presenting for Science Fair — something in me was attracted to performing in front of crowds. When I saw artists like Mac Miller rise up independently and make a name for themselves, I was inspired to do the same. I decided at 16 I would work towards becoming a professional rapper.
I’m a self-taught musician. I first learned to play piano by watching people’s hands in Youtube videos. It took years and years of that before I was even close to being a competent composer. I didn’t know anybody who made beats or rapped, so I just followed the example set by Tyler, the Creator and Mac Miller, and made my own beats instead of waiting to find producers. I never had a musical childhood; it was around, but I was too busy playing with Lego. I literally had no skill in music at all. The only reason I got this far was because of the years of constant practice.
Influences:
Tyler, The Creator, Mac Miller, Oh Hyuk, Koji Kondo, Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, *NSYNC. And literally every ’90s pop act.
The first album I bought:
Watching Movies with the Sound Off by Mac Miller
The first concert I went to:
Legit, it was Mariana’s Trench. Saw them perform in Halifax last year.
The last concert I went to:
The last song I listened to:
Cudi Montage by Kids See Ghosts
My favourite song of all time:
I Want You Back by *NSYNC
The one song I wish I’d written:
Pick Up The Phone by Young Thug and Travis Scott (ft. Quavo).
My dream gig:
A sold out show at Madison Square Garden.
Myself in three words:
Positive. Ambitious. Persistent.
Best piece of advice I’ve ever received:
“Don’t overthink it, just do it.” Given to me by my Uncle Raymond.
Beatles or Rolling Stones:
If I had to choose, it would be Beatles.
What I do to pay the bills:
Currently working in the basement of a heritage museum doing genealogy research.
When I’m not making music, I’m …
Writing stories, drawing, skateboarding, reading, and honestly playing way too much Tetris.
Something people would be surprised to learn about me:
I spent four years at Mount Allison University studying Theatre Arts. I just graduated this year with a Bachelor of Arts.
What I’m currently working on:
My second album under Wolf Castle, titled Rezurbia (editor’s note: watch for it this August!). It’s about my life growing up on the Rez as well as my life currently. Still living there and loving it.
If my life were a song, the title would be …
Cruise Control
Wolf Castle’s first single from his forthcoming album is now available on Spotify and other streaming services. For release details, follow him on Instagram and Facebook.
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