Youtube Artist Of The Month: Tranley

Reminiscent of acoustic slash pop rock powerhouse artists in the likes of Mraz, Johnson and Mayer, StarCentral’s Youtube Artist Of The Month for March, Tranley, is a young force to be reckoned with. Gifted with a charismatic voice that seems to evoke feelings of nostalgia and serenity – Tranley is equally impressive on the guitar that serves as the perfect platform for his mellow vocals. Intrigued? Read on to find out more about this 19 year old SoCal native who is taking another one home on behalf of all talented Asian-Americans in the ‘Tube community…

Watch Tranley in action

Full Name: Richard Tran

Age: 19

Nickname: Tranley

Hometown: Cerritos, CA

Fave Color: Maroon

Fave Movie: Jeux d’enfants or (500) Days of Summer

Fave Song: I don’t think I’ll ever be able to answer this. haha

Fave Show: The Office and right now, Modern Family

Reason you got into singing/music?

I was inspired by a lot of my friends who were musicians and decided “why not?” To this day, the things they do still motivate me to keep furthering myself, along with the rare quality music that’s coming out these days. Gives me hope.

Your musical influences?

I first started with influences by the easy vibes of Jack Johnson and energy of Jason Mraz, but my friends opened my ears more to a lot of R&B and soul. Add in a little jazz now and we have a full mixing pot of sounds haha. Let’s not forget John Mayer though, by far the most respected artist to me.

If you had to collaborate with another artist or group dead or alive who would you want to collaborate with?

I’d love to track with John Mayer or play live even, but that’s the closest anyone’ll get to hearing me dream. Ha! Love to work with Johnson and Mraz too though, they started everything for me.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

I’ll probably still be going to school, possibly with at least one EP out just to test the waters. Hopefully still playing live shows here and there. The future’s still some murky water to me though.

Fave original composition and why it’s your fave?

Hmm…I’ve always said my fans loved my work more than i do, but if i had to choose…probably “Shake” because of it’s simplicity and straight message.

Story behind your fave composition?

Basically, one night I got off the phone with a good friend of mine who had been going through some really tough times and I thought, ”Man, wouldn’t everything be easier if we had a real life etch-a-sketch or something?” And the idea seemed a little weird, but in the next 10-20 minutes the song was born. haha

Where do you draw your inspiration from when writing music? Is it from past experiences, song you were listening to, etc.

A lot of the inspiration came from watching other artists, inspired. I started off writing about predicaments that I’m pretty sure everyone goes through at one point in their life too…kind of elementary, so somewhat life experiences? Haha Basically, I’m inspired by everyone and even the music around me. There are just a handful of artists that catch my ears, as well as my brain, and those few make me want to write masterpieces. Luckily, some of them are my personal friends!

Where do you normally write your songs? Is there a particular place you only write songs e.g. in my room, when I’m with my friends and we jam?

It’s usually during the latest hours, like 3a.m. that i write my songs sitting in my room. Whenever I go out to perform with or support friends, I catch this wave of inspiration from all the talent! So, I get a bunch of ideas everyday but when I sit down for one, it might just become something.

Fast Five – answer these questions straight away. First thing that pops in your head.

Brunettes or Blondes? Brunettes

Boxers, briefs or commando? Boxers

Sex on the first date? Nope!

Innie or Outie? Innie

Who would you switch teams for? Man, probably just some my friends. Imagine the publicity if I were to make out with Matthew McConaughey or something, Perez would be all over that!

Finally your message to our readers.

Ha, I just want to thank everyone out there, young or old, for giving me all of this support. Friends, family & fans have given me so much more than I ever expected when i started off. I’ll try to keep pushing myself to be better because I have a long way to go as an artist. I’m just lucky enough to have amazing friends and opportunities and all of you! Thanks StarCentral for featuring me, it’s been fun.

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