Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with TROY

Actor-musician TROY is bringing an energy to pop music that’s indescribable. Since dropping his debut single late last year, the gifted singer-songwriter has captivated listeners with his soul-bearing lyrics and fresh sound, bringing his leading man charisma to the world of music.

We recently caught up with TROY to chat about the release of his new song, “Foolish.”

PC: The last time we spoke, you were getting ready to release your debut single and you’ve dropped a few songs since then. Has anything surprised you as you’ve embarked on this exciting new chapter in your career?
TROY: A lot of things have surprised me. The biggest thing is that each song is different. No matter what, if you have the same formula, it’s still going to change. That’s been the most surprising as well as the audience feedback. There are songs that I think are going to crush and then they don’t do as well and vice versa. It’s been interesting to see how the market works.

PC: 2020 has been a really challenging year for everyone. With the industry shut down, how have you been able to stay creatively fulfilled?
TROY: 2020, for me, was a blessing because I was able to take the time to center myself and to do the work. I was able to put on these cul-de-sac shows every week and perform for my neighborhood. I was able to practice and hone in on the craft of performing when a lot of people didn’t have a venue. That outlet gave me the opportunity to write more. It gave me something to look forward to each week. I learned different songs and that kept the creative flow moving. I’ve been able to bring that into 2021. We’re going to get those cul-de-sac shows up and ready to go. We’ve got an EP coming out in the next few months. We’re moving and grooving.

PC: You’ve shown a lot of variety in the three singles that you’ve released. What’s the process like deciding what and when you’ll release each?
TROY: Each song is different. It’s really about what feels right. When “Unbreakable” came out—it was in September of last year—it just felt like it was time to release that song. “Unbreakable” wasn’t the first song that we recorded. That was actually “Foolish,” but we thought, save that one for another time. It’s a bit slower. It’s a bigger power ballad. It didn’t feel right to release first. When I wrote “Unbreakable” with Evan Frederiksen, we all sat there and we felt like this was necessary right now for everyone to hear, so that’s what we did. A few months later, we did “Undercover.” We released that because we wanted the second one to come through and be a little more fun, a little upbeat, and we wanted to use that to lead us into 2021 with a higher spirit.

PC: “Foolish” is your latest single. Tell us about the single and the inspiration behind it.
TROY: “Foolish” is about that feeling that even though you’ve broken up with someone that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped loving them. I wrote this song on November 1st. It was a Thursday. I woke up and I was a little hungover from the night before. I had recently broken up with my ex. I saw that she had texted me the night before and I didn’t answer. I felt so guilty. I felt so powerless because I still felt so much love for her. I sat down at my piano and I let the hours pass and I poured what I was feeling into a song. It was a great feeling.

PC: You teased this earlier, but you’re planning on releasing an EP later this year. Is there anything you can tell us about that release?
TROY: The EP is a journey of how I’ve gotten to this point in my musical career. It’s going to be very entertaining and will have different feelings throughout the whole EP. I’m very excited for everybody to hear it.

PC: If you had to choose one song off of the EP that best encompasses who you are as an artist, which would it be and why?
TROY: That’s tough. I feel like each song has a different sound. Each song lends itself to a different part of me. Some are a little faster. Some are slower. Some have a bit of funk. They all blend together. If I had to choose, my heart still lives with “Unbreakable.” Maybe because it was the first song I released. You never forget the first. I feel like no matter what comes, no matter what happens, I’m unbreakable.

PC: How much did you use your cul-de-sac shows to test the new material?
TROY: I tested it all summer. I did every song. Even before we had made any changes to the songs, I remember singing them for the cul-de-sac. Everyone who came to those shows or watched the live streams has heard the songs. They’ve heard the EP, but they’ve never heard it in its produced form. I really hope that all of them are going to be like, “Whoa! This is so cool and special. I heard these in an intimate setting. I was there. I heard it in its raw, stripped-down version.”

PC: Your fans will recognize you also for your work that you’ve done on screen. What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned from music that you’ll apply to your career in film and television?
TROY: It goes hand in hand. They’re both parts of the entertainment industry. What I’ve learned from music is being consistent and being dedicated to the craft, even on the days that I don’t want to do it. Take the cul-de-sac shows, for example. I was doing them every week, and that turned into every other week as the show got bigger. There were weeks where I was tired, where I felt like, “I’ve played all these songs before. Nobody’s going to come. You know?” I learned to power through it. I was like, you know what, I’m going to go out there, arms open, feel the feeling you’re feeling, and give a good show. Give it to them. It’s not about me. With acting, I feel like I can take all of those feelings and figure out what the writer and director’s vision is for this character. I know I can give them that. It’s about fitting into that puzzle while adding my own little flair.

PC: With so many different facets to your career, has it been a challenge to manage?
TROY: Absolutely. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s difficult. They’re both sides of the same coin, but they’re both very separate beasts. They both take a lot of time and effort. Sometimes the musical persona of me, wearing a flowy shirt with long hair and my chest hair sticking out, doesn’t help me sell a goofy eighteen-year-old kid. There definitely have been moments where I’ve been like, “How am I supposed to juggle both of these at the same time?” But the truth is, they go very well together. Music is more the personal TROY. Here’s the music. This is who I am as a person. While the acting is Troy—this is who I am as a character. I can be a chameleon in all of this. I don’t think sacrificing either of those is necessary, especially if you want to do both, which I do.

To keep up with TROY, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “Foolish” today.