Your Friend, Peter Giles | Humility And Passion
Written By: Matt Jones of www.audiomilk.com

had a chance to sit down with Trevor Powers, the man behind Your Friend, Peter Giles, to talk about his new solo project after being a member in My Paper Camera, a powerpop band from Boise, Idaho. Anyone who meets Trevor will automatically recognize his humility, not to mention his passion for music that challenges you. I caught up with him to talk about the new EP, touring, and storytelling.

After being a member in groups ranging in different genres, what inspired you to become a solo act and fall under the persona Your Friend, Peter Giles?

Trevor Powers: Honestly, I think what really inspired me to pursue this project was how much I fell in love with playing by myself in my bedroom. I played in a powerpop band called My Paper Camera for about four years and had the time of my life. We were touring pretty hard just this past year, and that was always such a huge part of my life.  But slowly, I felt my heart change. I started playing piano and guitar alone in my bedroom with only my desk light on. I would close my eyes and just imagine these stories, some of which were spurred by things that happened to me that day and some were purely from my mind wandering. And I would just play for hours on end. It was definitely a scary thing to take my feet out of the boat I was in and put them in a different one, but I felt like I couldn’t deny it. I was in love with it.

As far as the persona Your Friend, Peter Giles… I definitely get asked this a lot. Well, when I was a senior in high school, my English class read a book called Utopia by Sir Thomas More. I don’t remember much of the content (I don’t even think I finished the book…), but there was a character in the book named Peter Giles who was described as being the perfect friend. For YFPG, I wanted to create a different Peter Giles who would be ironic when compared to Thomas More’s. One who, instead of being the perfect friend, would be someone who is completely human; someone who loves to see the world, and is still figuring things out.

From “Window Seat”, a song taking you on a vivid journey, to the titled track’s emotional ending both lyrically and musically, The Traveler EP covers a great deal in three songs. As I listen and become infectiously hooked, I notice several themes that are apparent throughout the EP. What is the main message, or messages, you want your listeners to leave with after listening?

TP: The main theme I want the listener to experience in The Traveler EP is really just an escape. I want it to be the sort of thing where someone listens to it, and they feel like they are right there in that airplane, looking out the window at the scenery below.  Or sitting in the car driving down the highway. Everything I do is definitely an extension of myself. I take feelings that I have or had, put them to a story and then make music out of it. And in that, I hope that people can relate to it.

Who, or whom, has influenced you the most when it comes to songwriting? Performing?

TP: Such a tough question! Well, I would have to say one of the first people that actually made me want to start writing songs is Jonathan Jones. I remember listening to his old band Waking Ashland when I was just a young kid and wishing I could do that. Which is funny cause we are friends now. But there are so many artists that are inspiring. As far as my piano playing, Chris Garneau and Regina Spektor, both from New York, have been big influences on me. And my lyric-storytelling aspect has definitely been influenced by Andy Hull, from both Manchester Orchestra and Right Away, Great Captain.

Do you plan on having a full band for your upcoming shows? (If this is confidential information, we have no choice but to wait to be surprised…although it will be tough!)

TP: I’ve actually been working a lot with a friend, Danika McClure, who is going to play cello with me for some Boise shows. She’s definitely super talented, and I’m so excited. But as far as tours, right now it’s going to be just me. I hope that sometime in the near future, I can hire string and percussion players for tours, but until then, it’s working out just fine.

What kind of equipment do you use?

TP: The equipment that I use right now live is a Yamaha P-70 keyboard and a Micron Alesis Synthesizer. I use my Alesis a lot for low-end stuff like pads and bass boosts.

What are your main goals for this year?

TP: My main goal for this year is to be on the road as much as possible. In June, I plan on hitting the West hard for a month, and in the middle of July, working my way down to Texas, as well as being on the road in the fall. Another goal I have is to grab some attention from labels and such that could get behind my music. It always helps to have that financial support when it comes to thinking about future releases. I really just want to be able to do music full-time. That has always been my dream. In the meantime, I am going to just keep writing.  I already have some of my next record written, and I can’t wait to record again so everyone can hear what I’ve been working on!

How is the music scene in Boise, Idaho? Where do you imagine it will be in the next two years?

TP: One thing I can say about Boise’s scene is there is some serious talent. There are a couple bands that I can think of off-hand, such as Apple Horse and We Won the Science Fair, that are going to blow up… it’s just a matter of when. There’s also definitely a big mix of hardcore, powerpop, and indie here. Fans are always really supportive, coming out to shows all the time, and always buying merch. And I think it will only get better from here. Seattle had it’s time. Then it was Portland. And next, I have no doubt in my mind that it will be Boise.

What are you currently jamming on your iPod? Give us some good recommendations!

TP: A band that I have been stoked out of my mind on is Freelance Whales! I just can’t get enough of them. If people were to check out one new band, it should be them. I’ve also been listening to a ton of Passion Pit, my man Chris Garneau, and just recently started getting into Local Natives. There’s way too much good music out there.