"The bar has been set high, but I love a good challenge" - An Interview with Tristan Tritt
In this exclusive interview, Tristan Tritt opens up about gear, how sound engineering shapes his music, the influence of his famous father, dream collaborations, and more.
Tristan Tritt is not here to copy, coast, or chase trends. The Georgia-born singer-songwriter and son of country legend Travis Tritt has spent the last few years shaping a sound that’s unmistakably his: a blend of Southern rock, country, blues, and '90s alternative.
His latest single, Wannabe, is a striking blend of personal reflection and mythological metaphor, exploring identity, legacy, and the beauty of father-son relationships.
In our conversation, he opens up about his love for analog gear, the way his background in sound engineering shapes his studio work, the influence of his father’s career, and why throwing out terrible ideas is part of the process.
We also get into dream collaborators, tour goals, the unexpected role TikTok has played in his journey, and, yes, what his Netflix series would look like if Javier Bardem were the star.
Chris Roditis, Musicngear: The relationship with your father, Travis Tritt, comes through in your music, especially in your new single “Wannabe”. How do you balance honoring your musical roots with carving your own unique sound and identity?
My Father has always encouraged me to push my own limits. I never really felt the pressure of being “Travis Tritt’s son” in the way most people would imagine.
If anything, the real pressure I felt was the level of professionalism and showmanship that my Dad has shown in his long career. The bar has been set high, but I love a good challenge.
Musicngear: You started playing guitar at 11 with a Fender Stratocaster and have a clear love for blending genres like Southern rock, alternative, and blues. What’s your current go-to gear setup?
I’ve mainly kept to just singing for the last few years; however, I’m still a massive “Gear nerd”. Analog sound has always had a place in my heart, so any old tube amps or compressors can guarantee my attention.
When it comes to guitars, I love the way a Martin sounds (my acoustic preference). As for electric guitars, it’s hard to beat a Gibson Les Paul. To quote ‘Spinal Tap,’ "it’s still sustaining".
Musicngear: As a musician who’s also learned recording engineering, how involved are you in the production side of your music? Any favorite studio gear or tricks you can share that you think other musicians would find fascinating?
Musical engineering is very similar to learning a new language; if you don’t use it, you lose it.
I really just use my engineering background to communicate with the producer, instead of talking in vague terms. At the very least, going to school for sound has given me an immense amount of appreciation for those who can do that job with proficiency.
The next time you listen to a song you love, thank an engineer. My job is the easy one.
I never really felt the pressure of being “Travis Tritt’s son” in the way most people would imagine
Musicngear: You’ve clearly put in the grind, from engineering school to playing countless shows. What’s one behind-the-scenes struggle that most people wouldn’t guess you've faced, and what kept you going through it?
I think anybody who goes after their dreams faces a ton of self-doubt. You can have a couple of “not so great shows” and wonder to yourself, “Why am I doing this to myself?”
The biggest thing you have to have is a sense of purpose and a legitimate work ethic. If you know why you're doing something, it allows you to keep that in your mind during all the chaos and unplanned issues that come along with this career.
Musicngear: As someone with a strong DIY spirit, how do you measure success for your releases now? Is it about streaming numbers, live energy, press response, or something else entirely?
It sounds cliché, but I just look back to 2020 when I first began this journey. I’m still pinching myself when I imagine how clueless and afraid I was to even get started, five years ago.
The growing numbers are great, but nothing beats having a great show and feeling the amount of growth during the performance.
TikTok has helped expose me to millions of folks that otherwise would have never known that I exist
Musicngear: If from now on you had to choose only one format to release visuals for your music, what would that be? Official music videos or TikToks/Shorts/Reels? And why?
I might be biased, but TikTok has been REALLY good to me. All platforms have a unique way of interfacing you with your audience, but TikTok has helped expose me to millions of folks that otherwise would have never known that I exist.
Musicngear: What’s the weirdest or funniest moment you’ve had on tour or in the studio that still makes you laugh whenever you think about it?
Honestly, the brainstorming portion of any song is hilarious. I will throw out my worst ideas, like a wet pasta noodle.
You hope that something good will stick, but there are so many bad ideas that come out first. You can’t help but laugh at first drafts. They’re always just terrible.
Musicngear: Who would be on your dream list if you could collaborate with any artists or bands, whether legends or up-and-comers? And are there any venues or festivals you’re especially excited to play at?
Unfortunately, most of my heroes are either deceased or knocking on heaven's door. I do think Cody Jinks, Koe Wetzel, Whiskey Myers, or even Post Malone would be cool to collaborate with.
As for venues, it’s a lot of outdoor festivals for the rest of summer, which are always a blast.
Musicngear: Now let’s get weird. Let’s say you get to form a Southern rock supergroup, alive or dead, anyone you want. Who’s on vocals, lead, drums, and bass? And what do you name the band?
Band Name: Vuja Dae
Drums: John Bonham
Guitar: Hendrix
Vocals: Ronnie Van Zant
Bass: Les Claypool
Head Groupie: Tristan Tritt
Musicngear: Your biggest hit is now a Netflix series. What's the plot, and which celebrity randomly shows up as a guest star?
It should be five 30-minute episodes of TV static. The last episode will have a surprise appearance from Javier Bardem, dressed as the character from No Country for Old Men, eating cereal for 30 minutes. No dialogue needed.
Musicngear: Looking ahead, besides the upcoming singles and tour dates, do you have any new projects or directions you’re excited about in 2025?
I’ve been in the studio a lot, so the main goal is to keep releasing singles consistently for the rest of 2025. I may have a few little surprises here and there, but y’all will just have to wait and see.
Connect with Tristan Tritt
Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube / Spotify
About Chris Roditis
Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.
Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@musicngear.com
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