Trent Toney is an acoustic singer-songwriter from Hillsboro, Oregon. His “easy-to-listen-to” music—often categorized as indie, folk, or alternative pop—introduces a refreshing change to pop music.
Despite playing music his entire life, Trent Toney did not consider music his primary focus until he experienced a personal tragedy. Going through that challenging period helped Trent better understand the therapeutic and healing power of his artform. Songwriting empowered him to overcome the difficulties he was facing and create beauty from the pain.
This remarkable shift in perspective allows Trent Toney to write and perform incredibly personal songs while portraying universal human emotions. His creativity shines through in every song and video. Exuding nonchalance without sacrificing quality, Trent is a breath of fresh air in the music industry.
An example of his creativity is his newest release, titled “Close to You.” The song is about a very special girl, someone who really brightens a room when she’s in it. Trent met her at a gig right before quarantine, and during lockdown, he couldn’t get her out of his head. He fell hard for her, and wanted to be physically close but couldn’t because of quarantine restrictions. Instead, he poured his heart out into a new song.
Trent Toney’s signature style involves playing the piano, guitar, and a loop pedal for live performances. It makes his live shows more interesting. Although Trent is consistent with his use of his two main instruments, his music has variation from song to song.
The artist records and produces his songs independently. He has built his team over the years by finding fellow talents like Matt Grecco, owner of the Rye Room Studios. With the help of caring collaborators, Trent was able to create a vision for his sound.
Long before finding his own style, Trent Toney has been developing the skills that contribute to his sound today. He started learning the piano when he was seven and continued taking lessons until he graduated high school. At the time, Trent was not considering a career as a musician, but he had plenty of opportunities to share his talent. He was always picking up small gigs, playing in church services, exploring music production, and taking relevant classes in school.
It wasn’t until 2017, after his personal tragedy, that Trent Toney entered the local music scene. Not long after, Trent would play up to five shows a week. At his busiest, Trent booked multiple shows in a day. The rising artist worked hard to earn enough money for studio time to record new songs.
Trent Toney cites his friends as the major influence on his music. Their presence in his shows and insights into his songs motivate him to use his music to create enjoyable experiences. Because of their influence, Trent considers every opportunity to play music as a blessing.
In addition to his music, Trent Toney is also known for his tongue-in-cheek videos. He first posted videos on YouTube while in college. What started as a hobby quickly became viral, and Trent gained millions of views. As an artist, Trent enjoys complementing his music with fun videos. This combination provides his audience a glance into Trent’s creative world and a broader understanding of him as a person.
“I like to make something you could throw on while you’re driving and just feel the vibe,” explained Trent Toney about his music. Trent continues to build his brand online and strengthen his following to share his creativity on a larger scale.
For more information, you may visit Trent Toney’s website or listen to his music on YouTube.
