Exposed Vocals interviews TNT
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
TNT: I grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana on the west side of town. The neighborhood I grew up in was in Wayne township so I attended Ben Davis schools. I grew up fairly poor and surrounded by music my whole life. I also grew up very proud of living in Indianapolis due to my Shortridge family’s unique history there. My ancestor, Abram Shortridge actually pioneered the state’s public school education system in the 1860’s. When I was nine years old I was transplanted to the sticks of Putnam County. My parents divorced, and I was forced to live in Putnam County until I was 18. I would say what made me want to become an artist were my passions for poetry, music, and effecting a positive change in my culture and environment. I have always seen music as more than just a medium for expression, feeling that it is also a tool for societal change. I believe the history of groups like N.W.A. prove that, and I wanted to try to do something similar. I see society as something that is breaking down and needs changing. I see very rich, powerful people making all the laws we must follow, controlling our elections, and manipulating a populace to support the processes and systems that keep it all going. I see the propaganda on the T.V., the chase for material items, the manufacture of a lethargic population. I see police brutality, racial injustice, drug addictions, and a swollen, racially biased, prison system. I see the political redistricting, the gerrymandering, the failing two party system, and the phony candidates. But most importantly, I see a hypnotized population voting for it, buying it, even justifying it. I would like to be a voice for a movement that turns all of that around. The passion to do so pushes me forward and allows me to continue being an artist. Listening to artists like 2pac, Public Enemy, RUN-DMC, Rakim, Nas, Grandmaster Flash, Big Daddy Kane, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Scarface, EPMD, KRS-ONE, N.W.A., and Rage Against The Machine, helped develop my viewpoints on certain issues and maintain my desire to be an artist. I figured if they could all stand up for what they believed in then I could as well. If they were willing to put themselves out there for their causes, then so could I. I needed never to fear, just to keep going with it.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
TNT: I wanted an acronym, a name that wasn’t readily apparent to everyone what it meant. I think I wanted a little mystery to it. I had just started writing and discovering myself and was trying to think of a name that would sum me up and personify me. I was flipping through radio stations and I heard “TNT” by AC/DC. Listening to the song it made me think that was me. TNT is traditionally a small block of dynamite that packs a very big punch when it explodes. I figured that had been me my whole life. I’m a small guy about 5’6” 160 pounds, but I have a lot of explosive energy inside of me that I transfer to my music. The way I speak in the majority of my songs (and the way I present myself in general) speaks to this inside of me. Also, it was a versatile acronym. Many meanings were possible but I chose “Tried N True” as the one that I always told people it meant. I figured that was the most appropriate for me because as life has handed me various struggles that I have went through, I have still stayed true throughout to my core beliefs and principles. Therefore, T.N.T. was more than just myself, it was something for everyone who was listening to me to try to be. I think that is cool.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
TNT: Online music sharing, to me, is a natural result of our market system and the lethargy of the people who populate it. People want a product that is in high demand, and they want it as cheaply and as quickly as possible. Doesn’t get much cheaper than free, so it is hard to beat many file sharing sites. Unfortunately, we live in a “me first” society where satisfying one’s personal desires comes before anything else. This includes the artist’s rights to their music and to sell their music without it being pirated by the consumer. Yes, I have given my music away for free before. With my first mixtape “The Message”, I felt it was best to do so because I was completely unknown. It seemed to be easier to get your music out there without having to convince everyone you met that it was worth the $3 you wanted. The important thing for me was simply getting the message out there, not generating a profit. I considered it a “start-up” cost for a potential career. I like that approach because it is no risk for the consumer and it is no risk for me as well as I had saved the money to spend in the first place.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
TNT: Truthfully, I am still a start-up, but these would be the best tips I could give to those looking to get gigs. First, believe in yourself and in your music and have confidence in both. If you do, others will believe in you as well. The people that can help you advance yourself will see it as well. Someone might take a chance on booking you or signing you on that alone. Second, I always say “network, network, network”. You never know what will happen next. Let’s say you get a gig and the show goes well. Talk to the person running the show after it closes down and see if you can come back again. You might want to ask them if they know anyone looking for acts around town, and they might know someone who is. Somebody in the audience at the show might come up to you afterwards and let you know they liked your set and can maybe get your foot in the door at another location. Talk to everyone you can, it never hurts. You never know where the next lead might come from. Lastly, I would say advertise and promote yourself a lot. No one will work harder for you than you. Hit the streets, post some flyers, and either sell or give away your latest music to those that seem interested. Stop at entertainment venues and see if they are looking for acts of your particular genre. I would also set up a free, online webpage that would introduce yourself, allow you to sell your music, and allow those interested to join in your efforts via a street team. Word of mouth is real and travels quickly, so use it to your advantage. If you want radio play, sell out quickly. Conform to the norm and sound like everyone else on the radio. Blend in, don’t make waves, maybe know somebody, etc. That is the fastest track.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
TNT: My inspiration usually comes from my emotions and experiences that I am going through at the time. Inspiration may also come from struggles I am facing, problems I see in society, or other artists whose music I respect and admire. My process is usually pretty quick, because before I write, I usually have a really good idea what I want to say, and I have a knack for knowing what to say in the moment. I’m methodical, and I go bar for bar and line for line, one at a time. I break down the instrumental and its different parts and proceed from there after listening to it several times. It is very important for me to be in my zone when I am about to go on a track, and repeated listening helps that. After listening, I am usually done with the lyrics in 2 hours or less. However, it is very spontaneous and I go where the lightning strikes. Sometimes it hits 3 times in a day other times it may be a month or so in between songs.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
TNT: Yes, I have a website through Weebly that was designed by a promoter I formerly worked with. I use Facebook, Twitter, Google Play, and Soundcloud the most as online platforms.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
TNT: I would spend and invest what I needed to cover all the costs of my next few projects. I would pay off old debts, and help family and friends in need and take care of loved ones. I would also take some of the money and use it to start a local foundation that would target at-risk youth in the community. The foundation would provide adult mentors for kids who would participate in various projects around the city aimed at improving the outside appearance of the city and the inner development of those within the city. I would also maybe send a little money to national charities that do similar things. I would spend the time not only doing this, but also reading, educating myself on things that interest me, and being with my girl and our family.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
TNT: I find ways to promote my music primarily through networking, word of mouth, and doing my own research. I love it when someone comes up to me and says “I heard so and so is looking for this here” or “ You should hit up this venue there” or they may know someone who has promoted for other artists and recommended doing this, etc. But you only get those tips if you put in the time hitting the streets. If you work on the streets, the streets will work for you. That’s what works best for me.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
TNT: Many things are coming up soon for me. Right now, I am working with a group based out of Marion, Indiana called Team Unity and Complex Records to create a double disc album that will drop this summer. The team makes sure to book me shows and provide me with access to a wider audience, and this helped fuel this upcoming release. I would also like to say I have a big show coming up at the team’s Green Acres Campgrounds on May 28th in Marion, Indiana. This show will headline Twisted Insane and others from BWO. He is one of the best in my opinion so I am really looking forward to it and would encourage anybody that wants to, to come out.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
TNT: If I wasn’t making music, I would probably be teaching high school social studies somewhere. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in education from Indiana University and I have a teaching license at the secondary level. Right now I substitute teach and I really enjoy it. I believe education is arguably the most important thing for everyone, and that it benefits society greatly as a whole. My desire to effect change is the central desire of my life, so everything I do including teaching, comes back to that. I figure what better way to effect change than to be in the field of education, teaching people how to think about their history and the society they live in?
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
TNT: You have to have a plan and a list of priorities. Having a plan, and working the plan on paper helps keep you motivated and builds success. If you have a plan, and are committed to it, you will stay focused, your responsibilities will get taken care of, and things will work themselves out. Just stay focused.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
TNT: Fans (and new listeners) should be looking forward to my first real record release under Team Unity and Complex Records. It will be a double disc, tentatively titled “Fire N Flame”. I know my development as an artist will be evident in this record. Also, I will continue to be doing shows throughout Indianapolis and other areas including Muncie, Marion, Kokomo, Fort Wayne, New Haven, Lafayette, and many other locations as well. Everyone can stay tuned through my Facebook at www.facebook.com/irishpride55, Twitter @ben_shortridge, and on Soundcloud at www.soundcloud.com/ben-shortridge. On Soundcloud check out my single “You Already Know.” Enjoy and stay alert!