Artist Spotlight - T. Houze
What is your name?
Travis Houze
Where are you located?
Baltimore, Maryland
What is your artist's name?
T. Houze
How long have you been writing music?
I started writing music in 2011 but began to write seriously in 2021.
What inspired you to start playing and making music?
I was extremely self-conscious when I was younger because my voice cracked at an early age. I fought with that feeling for the longest time and came up with the idea of tackling that internal trauma head-on by creating an album from top to bottom.
What are your favorite artists or other artists that inspire you to write music?
Lupe Fiasco, Robert Glasper, A Tribe Called Quest, Janelle Monae
How would you describe your style of music?
I would describe my music as "Lounge Rap." A style that's very chill but still places emphasis on poetic lyrics and delivery.
How is your personality reflected in your work?
A lot of my chill, relaxed delivery is reflective of how I talk in real life to bring a level of authenticity.
Describe your creative process when you write new music.
Most of my music is recorded in an isolated space, so I can sit with my thoughts and try many variations for the production.
What is the name of your latest releases?
My latest releases include my two albums, "Midnight Season," released in 2021, and my second album, "Iridescent," in 2022.
What was the inspiration for that release?
Looking back on Midnight Season, I realized I spent most of the time asking myself, "Can I make an album?" I see Iridescent as the "spiritual successor" to my 2021 debut album. While I still love the atmosphere established on Midnight Season, it was important for Iridescent to be a natural transition to the melodies and styles I listen to regularly. With this project, I asked myself, "Can I do that again and better?"
Can you tell us any "behind the scenes" stories about writing or producing this release?
I'm big on cohesion and album sequencing so that I would listen to the songs hundreds of times in different orders. That way, I could see how closely the music played next to one another to make the best version of the album possible. Silence is one song I'm genuinely proud of because it was a song that organically came together and tapped something inside that I felt was missing from my music last time. Another song I would say is Tellin'. Nikko Miles has always been a close collaborator of mine. Of the eight songs we've done together over time, this one is my favorite for how it naturally came together with the excellent production from Kayro.
What are you currently working on?
I'm releasing several B-Sides from my last album, "Iridescent," that didn't quite make the cut, but I wanted to give them their own space to exist. These songs include "Lyfe," "Dreaming In Technicolor," and "The Ways," all available on streaming platforms and Bandcamp as well.
How can folks get in contact with you?
www.travishouze.com
Instagram @TravisHouze and @Midnight.season
travis@travishouze.com
The album Iridescent is available on a limited edition CD, and Lathe Cut Vinyl releases on Bandcamp today!
