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An Interview With Tricia Fitz
The new single from Tricia Fitz is an absolute testament to a certain generation and it's a total rock anthem from top to bottom.
"Millennials" is a powerhouse of a pop rock opus that brings a bright and alternative edge to the table with a colorful character and vibrancy that becomes insanely addicting.
Tricia's got one hell of a set of pipes as she belts her hands in the air, sing-along chorus and holds on theat punk attitude and undertone.
Guitars give a massive sonic presence and you can literally hear the amount of fun the artist had recording this track (as a matter of fast, you can watch it on her website as well).
"Millennials" comes with an endlessly fun music video that really amplifies Tricia's character even more and you can get a great feel for her sense of humor, if you haven't picked up on that from the song already that is.
The single is part of a full length album release dubbed Epic Penguin Sharks and the record has a refreshing pop sound with a tasteful hard rock sound that makes the whole thing feel good to listen to.
The album is filled with some outstanding tracks that certainly don't abandon her humorous touch but also has other layers to peel back. It's a killer record and should be cranked throughout its course.
With such a huge album, we wanted to have a chat with the artist to find out where it all came from and maybe even what's next for her.
TSWS: Okay so let's start with the Epic Penguin Sharks album. This record has a major fusion of
pop, alternative rock, and a humorous and fun attitude. Where did this record come
from?
There are so many sides to Epic Penguin Sharks, but I deliberately choose to highlight the
bright side of it. To sum it up, EPS was a way to remind myself that happiness comes from
within. I found myself giving up after constantly being told that I was out of my prime and will
never amount to anything. I was very close to waving my white flag once and for all, until a little
voice inside said, “You know what? Let’s toss the rule book out the window. Forget what anyone
thinks or says, and let’s see how far we can take this creatively.” and I did exactly that. That
decision led to a shift in perspective and I found myself making major life changes outside of
music. I’m now the happiest I’ve ever been and this album was the guiding light I needed. So
while it did initially come from a place of sadness, it also comes from a place of strength and
positivity, and I want that to spread to others like...a pandemic. (Too soon? You can take that
out if it’s too much. “Like butter on a hot piece of toast” There, that’s more family friendly.)
TSWS: This felt like a massive record! Did it take you long to complete and are you happy with
how it turned out?
It was! It took roughly 4 years to complete from the moment I came up with the concept to its
midnight release. I didn’t give myself a specific timeline because I wanted ideas to come
organically, and I think that worked in my favour. I worked with mostly one other person, Matt
Nozetz, who was the recording engineer and co-producer on the album, and we REALLY took
our sweet time. A lot of things sat and marinaded for months before we even thought about
touching them again, and some things were spontaneous and fit perfectly right away. Not to
mention the huge delay because of the pandemic where I had to wait to finish recording vocals.
But it was all very carefully planned and stitched together, and I am extremely proud of the final
product. It was well worth the wait!
TSWS: I'm hearing all kinds of pop rock influences on here. Who are your actual biggest musical
influences?
I have a whole bunch of influences scattered here and there, depending on the song. It ranges
from Fall Out Boy to Avenged Sevenfold to Aqua to Queen. But in general, my biggest
influences are Devin Townsend, Andrew W.K. and Hobo Johnson. They’re all artists who have a
sense of humour and are clearly having the time of their lives while making music. I have so
much respect for them and want to be like them when I grow up.
TSWS: How did this all start for you?
It all started when the 4th Grade teachers at North Park Elementary School told us we were
going to put on a musical called “I Need A Vacation” and little ol’ me had this huge vision for
staging and costuming and choreography. I also really wanted a singing role that sang a song
about baseball that I knew would make my parents point and say, “That’s my Tricia!” But in the
end there was no production at all and we only sang the songs sitting down as a group to the
2nd graders and they gave me a small monologue. But yo, I’ve been after that creative high
ever since.
So yeah, I’ve been musically inclined since I was very young. My home videos are all of me
putting on performances for my parents (with an oddly impressive production level for 90s
amateur home videos) whether it be a musical, magic show, or me improvising Christmas
songs. I was a teenager when they finally let me take music lessons for voice, piano, guitar, and
band. If you dig deep enough on the internet, you’ll find teenage Tricia’s early music years and
it’s a hootenanny of a good time. Fast forward to today, I focus mostly on helping other artists. I
am a vocal and performance coach, artist mentor, and recently started my own music publishing
company. I work with music full time, mostly behind the scenes with my students. But this time,
I’ve decided to step into the spotlight myself just for fun.
TSWS: You've been dropping records on Spotify since 2016. What sort of advice would you give
to other up and coming bands trying to be heard?
It may seem I’ve only been making music since 2016, I have actually been at this as Tricia Fitz
since 2006. It’s been more than a decade of lessons, mistakes, regrets, exploring, more regrets,
and more mistakes...mostly mistakes. The music industry is incredibly cutthroat and constantly
upgrading and changing. Being in the big leagues is not for everybody and there is absolutely
nothing wrong with that and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Be honest with yourself and set
realistic goals, and you’ll never be disappointed. A little bit of wisdom goes a long way!
TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
Not gonna lie; I’m pretty much working on music all the time, mostly in daydream format. But I
love video games, especially casual games like The Sims and Animal Crossing. They’re great
for relaxing while exercising creativity. I also absolutely adore spending time with my husband
and cats. We’re expecting our first child soon, so I’m assuming once she makes her debut, I’ll
be dedicating most of my non-music related time to raising her and teaching her how to be a
super awesome little human!
TSWS: Who are you listening to right now?
LP and Mother Mother have been the latest obsessions. LP has inspired me to learn to whistle
and while I am failing pretty badly at it at the moment, it’s ok cause I know I am good at other
things. I try to listen to a lot of local and independent artists as well, as there are some true
hidden gems out there that really deserve some more attention.
You wake up in the middle of the night starving. What's your go to midnight snack? (A
question of character here)
Fun fact: I’m a diagnosed Nyctophobic, which essentially means I am terrified of darkness and
tend to avoid it at all costs. I’ve gotten way better over time, and have done some awesome
exposure therapy to power through it...which sometimes I do...but most times I don’t. So
basically, I would probably starve until morning. BUT, in the beautiful daytime when the light is
blasting through my windows, you’ll find me snacking on grapes, salted cashews, or ice cream
sandwiches.
TSWS: What's next for you as an artist?
Gotta find a way to follow Epic Penguin Sharks somehow... But I still have some cool behind
the scenes videos coming, perhaps maybe an acoustic version of some of the tracks off the
album, and maybe perhaps who knows a live performance? It’s really hard to plan around the
pandemic, but I’m staying optimistic as always! But I will say: the next album is already in its
fetus stages, but that’s not for like another 3 years so can’t say much about it at the moment.
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
I am always eternally grateful for those who took the time to listen, share, tag, comment, and
engage. It’s been really cool to see how many people have resonated with the album, despite its
unconventional title and format. Don’t be shy to say hi, and once again thank you for giving the
album a chance! =)