Trevor Lawrence Jr. - Relationships (ROPEADOPE RECORDS 2017)

"I set out to make a record that shows my musical diversity and how I hear things. Basically the Album is an introduction to me as an artist. As a session musician for most of my career, I have always been interested in different musical styles and what makes them unique and authentic. I am influenced and inspired by life, my family or sometimes just driving in the car which is where the idea for the opening song “Car Vibe” came from. I feel like its time for me to begin a dialogue with people through music and start that worldwide conversation . 

I cut the majority of this album at my studio “3 Pillars Studios” in Southern California. A lot of the recording process has been affected by technology. File sharing and remote collaboration is making its way into the creative process more and more on many levels. I did overdubs at other studios like Can-Am, the famous “Death Row” studio featured in the movie Straight Outta Compton, although its definitely not that place obviously anymore. I wanted to make sure the parts were authentic so All Horns and Strings are 100% Real and played by real people. I played the drums and just about all of the Percussion and some keys on the album as well. Producing and putting all the pieces together is also a fun part of my creative process. I love having the vision for a song and hearing it come to life." ~ Trevor

His mother performed with the Supremes. His father is a well known Saxophonist and writer. Both were original members of Stevie Wonder’s Wonderland band. Yes, that Stevie Wonder band. His grandfather, Ira Tucker Sr. is credited as a forefather of Gospel music as a member of the Dixie Hummingbirds. His Aunt Sundray Tucker sang with Stevie Wonder and Patti LaBelle.

In his first year of High School Trevor was called for a recording session to play drums on the original theme song on the Pilot episode of a show called Martin and right then he decided that his life would be in recording. Fast forward to 2017 and you’ll find some 73 recording credits in his discography including Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Snoop, Quincy, Alicia Keys, LeAnn Rimes,  Kendrick Lamar, Stevie Wonder, Eminem, and Dr. Dre. Trevor Lawrence Jr. is on call for some of the biggest names, and still hits the road as a player with Herbie Hancock, LeAnn Rimes, and more. Trevor is the hard hitting drummer with Terrace Martin’s new group, The Pollyseeds, whose recent debut single topped 900K plays on soundcloud in its first few days.

These are prolific times for music creation and production, both in and out of the mainstream music world. Trevor Lawrence Jr, like so many of the artists that find their way to Ropeadope, has gone deep into his experience and his family of talented friends to create Relationships, his first solo record. Clearly bringing together the variety of people he has worked with, Relationships is a wide ranging record, seamlessly connected by a seasoned producer. Featured players include Terrace Martin, Kenneth Crouch, Nicholas Payton, Maurice Brown, LeAnn Rimes, Kamasi Washington, and Nico Segal (Donnie Trumpet). This is the world according to Trevor Lawrence Jr, and it shines with diversity and depth.

1. Car Vibe 01:55

2. B Side 04:04

3. Cornerstone 06:37

4. The Guts 05:18

5. 11 and 8 01:46

6. Bring The Party 05:33

7. Car Vibe (Reprise) 00:48

8. Auckland 04:26

9. Tiptoe 03:32

10. Relationships 04:44

11. Alicia's Song 04:27

12. IG Interlude 01:08

13. Huh 07:20

14. Lovestoned 03:27

Executive Producers: Trevor Lawrence Jr. and Louis Marks 

Mastering Engineer: Michelle Mancini 

Styled By: Boss Academy 

Album Artwork: Rippy Austin/ 

Photography: Rippy Austin 

Legal: Scott Mason Esq. 

Special Thanks: 

Alicia Lawrence, Bud Lawrence, Anjala Lawrence, Lynda Laurence, Keecia Henderson, Trevor Lawrence Sr. Ann Lawrence, Treanna Lawrence, Tabitha Lawrence, Mike Elizondo, AndreYoung, LeAnn Rimes, Darrell Brown, Nicholas Payton, Wow Jones, JimiJames, Greg Hagan, Joe Cleveland, Brandon Owens, Jeff “Gitty” Gitleman, Joel Whitley, Anthony Crawford, Donna Missal, Johnny Britt, Sharrif Simmons, Nikarra Warren, Kamasi Washington, Kenneth Crouch, Nico Segal, Maurice Brown, Chelsea Baratz, Teodross Avery, Rich Niles, Neka Brown, Jeremy Underwood, Taber Gable, Dale Black, Mark Cargill, Darrell Crooks, Preston Harris, Andre Brissett, Allokoi Peete, Emile Martinez, JoAnn Tominaga, Derek”DJ Donvt” Owings, Kev Hicks, EveAnna Manley, Samantha J, Rippy Austin, Boss Academy, Aaron Forbes, Tim Anderson, Rick Carson,Chase, Craig Brockman, Scott Donnell, Steve Vega, Don Lombardi, John Good, Scott Liken, Chris Hart, Adam Murphy, Erica McDaniel, Ben Thompkins, Tony Elder-Baraz, Donald Johnson, Nigel Williams, Rick Krim, JP Floyd, Brandon Jones, Cynthia Kaselis, Melissa Nunez “aka DJ Flii", Scott Mason, Ira Tucker Sr., Louise Tucker, Ira Tucker Jr., Kevin James, Daryn Tucker, Dominique Tucker, Michael Tucker, Sundray “Aunt Songe” Tucker, Sid Lasaine, Sandra-Evers Manley, “Big Jon” Platt, Peter Hernandez, Eric Hernandez, Phil Meeze, Brody Brown, Beau “Desert Rat” Bailard, John Deron Johnson, Kim Johnson, C C.M.E V.O.P, Tonantzin Esparza, Tlacael Esparza, Tenoch Esparza, Doc Bull, DK’s Barber, Shop, Garrison Brown, Phillip Stewart, Seth Cummings, Larry Chatman, Damon ”Bing” Chatman, Focus, Paul, Phil, Pablo, Vic, Mark, Klauss, Ashley Palmer, Ty Cannon, and the rest of my Aftermath Family. Mark Batson, Deirdra O’Hara, Everyone at ROPEADOPE RECORDS!!! 

My Gear Family: DW Drums, Istanbul Agop Cymbals, Remo Drumheads, Vic Firth Drumsticks, LP Percussion ,Big Fat Snare Drum, Universal Audio, Manley Audio, Blue Microphones , Sunhouse Sensory Percussion, BAE, MVP Loops, VIP Loops, Ross Garfield, Zak St. John, Drum Doctors, The Professional Drum Shop 

A Very Special Thanks to Terrace Martin and Louis Marks for believing in my vision! 

Thanks to all my MWPHGLCA PHamily: TW#49, LA#26, BF Talbot #12, Symphony#43, Muharram#95, Donald R. Ware, Bernard C. Roberts, Ed Boynton, Johnnie Smith, Billy G. Harrington