When the PEV Year in Review Year IV rolls around, I'll be talking about Tristan Clopet. It's nearly a year away, but damn - Clopet is definitely going to be a front-runner for my favorite new artist. Dare I say it... the guy reminds me of one of our favorites, Trevor Hall. He's like Hall meets the Chili Peppers - honestly, like a funky laid back mix - it's awesome.

The Toronto-born singer/ songwriter grew up listening to his dad's advice: "When you don't know where you're going, all roads take you there." #1 - I love that line. #2 - I'm glad Tristan listened. His latest album, the "Purple" EP is the follow-up to his first EP, "Duende"... and it's full of really, really solid tunes Clopet says "'Purple' is just as personal, but not always from my point of view. I think it has more grit and more chutzpah than 'Duende'. But it's definitely got a soft, sensitive side. I think if the two EP's were in a relationship, 'Purple' would be the very caring but assertive husband and 'Duende' would be the collected but concerned wife."

Tristan just wrapped up at SXSW and will be touring throughout the summer to support "Purple". Check out his schedule and his band The Juice. Get into the XXQ's after reading this answer about the live show: "A Canadian reviewer said that we have the best fans. And he's right. A Boston-based reviewer gave us a great concert review because we 'sang to the audience, not at them.' I'm greatly proud of this because each show is an engaging relationship with the audience. We're here to entertain you so we want to understand who we're entertaining."

XXQs: Tristan Coplet

PEV: How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out over the others in your genre?

Tristan Clopet (TC):  Life-like. Placing a value on creating each song with it’s own entity, its own mood, message and energy. Realistic, just like life.  Lyrically, I like to think I deal with real topics.

PEV: Toronto-born and now calling Miami home, what kind of music where you into growing up? Was anyone your main influence? Also, are you a big hockey fan?     

TC:  I know I’m being cliché here but I legitimately listened to everything. I love the Deftones and Metallica just as much as I love Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy.  I love Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington just as much as I love Bob Dylan or even Electronica. Taking the best from everything is the trick, one that I admittedly will spend my whole life learning.

Having said that, I can’t remember the last time I read a review where someone didn’t compare my music to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  I’m certainly not complaining because not only are they one of the greatest and most enduring bands of our generation but they’re also my favorite and greatest influence.  I got into them at an early age but I got into hockey even earlier. My dad and I are huge Maple Leaf fans, so please be gentle…J

PEV: Having played in the business for a good time now, what was it like for the band when you first started out?

TC:  We started out with a measure of optimism and confidence while operating under a mantra that our best work is still to come and that continues to this day. As I look back it's funny, but not a lot has changed since then. Sure we don’t play every gig that presents itself to us but now we work twice as hard and there’s definitely no more naivety.

PEV: What do you feel makes the Miami scene so hot and why did you decide to set up camp there versus that of New York or LA? 

TC: I should say something like, “Miami has an amazing, cutting edge, up-and-coming music scene.” But I won’t. Miami has been great for us but the truth is I came down here for the University of Miami’s journalism program. Before I wanted to get my degree at UM, I was taking classes at an acting conservatory in New York. Before that, I wanted to be in the NBA. My dad always told me growing up, “When you don’t know where you’re going, all roads take you there.” Great advice that allowed me to figure out the route to take.

PEV: What can fans expect from a live Tristan Clopet show?

TC: A Canadian reviewer said that we have the best fans. And he’s right. A Boston-based reviewer gave us a great concert review because we “sang to the audience, not at them.” I’m greatly proud of this because each show is an engaging relationship with the audience. We’re here to entertain you so we want to understand who we’re entertaining.

PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?

TC: Showtime.

PEV: Coming off critical success of tackling self-reflection, truth and addiction within his first EP “Duende” (“a fantastic debut,” – Miss Media). Tell us about your latest release, “Purple EP”.

TC:  Purple is just as personal, but not always from my point of view. I think it has more grit and more chutzpah than Duende. But it’s definitely got a soft, sensitive side. I think if the two EPs were in a relationship, Purple would be the very caring but assertive husband and Duende would be the collected but concerned wife.

PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs?

TC: Either in the shower or when I’m jogging.  Every time. I have no idea why. Maybe it’s to do with the solitude or the fact that at those moments, I can think freely because I’m not worried about any of the minutia that suffocates our daily lives.

PEV: What was it like to see so much appreciation for your music with your first release and did that help to catapult your energy for “Purple”?

TC: I remember when we got our first review for Duende. It was such a gratifying thing. But it was also very validating. Like, “I KNEW that other people would like this.”  Just like every other creative person on earth, my life is peppered with insecurity.

PEV: What’s one thing we’d be surprised to hear about Tristan Clopet?

TC: I’m embarrassingly good at Rock Band drums but equally embarrassingly bad on real drums.

PEV: Was there a certain point in your life when you knew that music was going to be a career for you?

TC:  I always breathed music, even when I was doing other things with my life. But I remember the day that I decided to push all my chips to the center of the table.  I was on a plane from Toronto to New York, sitting next to my dad. Around that time, I was considering transferring to a music production school but something just clicked then and there on that plane. And from that day forward, I’ve put everything I have into my career.

PEV: What one word best describes Tristan Clopet?

TC: Grateful.

PEV: How is life on the road for you in the music world? Best and worst parts?

TC:  I am so so lucky to have my best friend, Chase working with us. I’ve known him since we were kids and I remember driving in the car and calling him and telling him about the prospect of our first tour and he said that he’d love to tag along and do most of the driving for free. Just to see America. Three tours and a year and a half later, he’s our Tour Manager and a great one at that.  The guy has single-handedly made my and the guys’ lives way easier. I’m forever thankful for Chase.  

There is no bad part about being on tour. Or at least I haven’t found one yet. This is what I was put on earth to do and I love every second of it.

PEV: Is there one area you wish you could travel around and play that you have not yet?

TC: The West Coast. I’d love to spend more time there. Also, for obvious reasons I’d love to play in Toronto (during the summer.

PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?

TC: Well my dad, Julian and I are best friends and business partners.  He’s the man behind the curtain.  We don’t make the smallest decision before first conferring with one another. My older sisters, Michelle and Mandy get excited for me very easily which I love. I’ll tell them that we got a good review or something like that and they just think it’s the greatest thing on earth.  And my nephews and nieces think I’m infinitely cooler because I’m a “rockstar.” I’m not telling them otherwise! J

PEV: What can we find you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?

TC: My second greatest passion is movies. I hope to act and direct one day.  Being a bit of a nerd I like video games, reading, crossword puzzles and when the mood strikes, cooking.  If I do go out at night, chances are it’ll be to dance to techno with friends for several hours.

PEV:  Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?

TC: The Mummers.  I’d also love to meet them. Just by listening to their music, I can tell they’d be nice people. I've spent a lot of time in West Sussex, which is their local county in England.

PEV: If you weren’t playing music now what would you would doing for your career?

TC:  I’d probably just be graduating from film school. But with a large void.

PEV: So, what is next for Tristan Clopet?

TC:  South by Southwest, a couple of dates at the Sony Ericsson Open here in Miami, performing with SafetySuit in April, and then hopefully a lengthy national tour this summer in support of our new full-length release this summer.