Bron Harrison interviews Travis Loughhead, former bRhythmic rock band student, who topped the state in HSC music. Travis has just completed his full length album and makes a living gigging and teaching.
When did you first start with bRhythmic?
I think we had our first band rehearsal at the start of year 11, so over 2 years ago. It was really about that time that Bright Division [rockband] was picking up its’ game and writing new songs. I remember all the guys being surprised to come down to the music room to find a new mentor without a beard!
Is Music still a part of your life? How?
It’s absolutely a part of my life, in many ways! Playing music is one of those ways in which I express emotions so vividly. I spend a whole lot of time playing, whether that’s piano, guitar, synths, pipe organ, brass.. or whatever! Like I said before, I’m making a living gigging a few times a week as well as teaching, playing full time with a new band and working on my album. A musicians’ life is multifaceted in the sense that there are always so many things to be doing, luckily I really enjoy every aspect of what I do musically!!
What are you doing now?
I have just finished recording my full length album TEN & ELEVEN which launches at the end of this month. I’ve started studying at Macquarie Uni doing marketing and media, hoping that it will work well with all the ambitions I have in music at the moment! It has a lot to do with media and principles of managing a business at the moment, which I’m finding really useful! I’m also gigging a couple of times a week!
What were some of the things you learnt at bRhythmic that you have taken into your life now that have helped you?
The thing I really loved about rehearsals with bRhythmic was the open ended nature of our sessions. We never had stuff forced down our throat and would tend to just test the water in a lot of things, Bron was always really cool about that. That being said, there are some really solid guidelines that need to be followed, I’m always referring to my bRhythmic booklet for advice on how to act professionally… it is seriously a pot of gold, with so much wisdom… I look back and wish I read some of it earlier so I could have avoided some of the mistakes made! If anything, that has been the most important thing that I have taken into my life since.
What was your biggest achievement in your music education?
Topping the state in music and recording my album. Music is unlike other achievement based areas like academics and sport, so I guess it’s hard to measure. I’ve managed through music education to play very respected pieces on piano, feature on ABC radio, go on tours all over the place. But most importantly, I think music education is an avenue for constant improvement and evolution in my playing… so I’d like to think that my biggest achievement is getting myself this far in the way I play, and to further improve!
What was one of most memorable things you learnt from you tutor?
Bron would always remind me that people come and go, but music never leaves you. That has always stuck with me. Music is such an intricate and individual type of art form, and the more time I’ve spent playing, the more I’m reminded of that.
If you had advice for young students of bRhythmic, what would it be?
Never hold back from giving things a go. There are always a handful of people that will dislike what you do, and make that known. With Bright Division for example, we were always up against it but we kept doing music because we loved it, people catch on and start to respect what you do when you have worked so hard.
Secondly… listen to your tutor, they have a whole lot of experience in areas that you don’t… It would have saved me from making a lot of mistakes. That being said, always try and contribute your own insight into things… that’s what makes you unique!
Thirdly, practice and practice and practice… and enjoy it!
For more information on Travis Loughhead Music check out the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/travisloughheadmusic/
