Log in to your account
Stats
Biography
He began recording music in 2011, releasing a trilogy of albums under the moniker Youth Lagoon
before announcing the end of the project in 2015. While taking crash courses in classical theory, jazz, and ancient modes throughout the time that followed, Powers started making music experiments inspired by the visual works of artists such as Francis Bacon, Sister Gertrude Morgan, and Harry Clarke. Lining his walls in crude print-outs of pictures, he found graphic saturation helped inform the social and spiritual themes of his music.
For two years, Powers crafted his own library of sounds, grotesque and bewitching, to serve as the backbone to the poetry he had been writing while traveling between Europe, Asia, and the United States. Embracing a combination of noise, beauty, and mercurial avant-pop atmospheres, he began molding these experiments into songs highlighting the intersection of unity and chaos, nightmares, and the invisible forces at war within the human self.
Retreating to Tornillo, Texas, Powers brought his songs and a handful of contributors to Sonic Ranch, a residential studio complex in the middle of a 2,300-acre orchard, to record Mulberry Violence - the debut album under his birth name. The six-week tracking process consisted of fusing together and manipulating elements recorded over the previous two years with textures, arrangements, and programming created at the ranch. The album was mixed in Los Angeles by frequent Beyoncé collaborator Stuart White.
Live reviews
I saw Youth Lagoon back in May of 2012. They opened for Death Cab for Cutie at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. I was barely sixteen at the time, and I hadn't really listened to much of Youth Lagoon. In fact, I had only really heard one song before that night. From Youth Lagoon's opening song, I was mesmerized. Everything from the perfect lighting, to the beautiful atmosphere of the Tennessee Theatre, to the sweet harmonies produced by Trevor Powers, the man behind the music. It was a breathtaking performance, and definitely one of my favorites. The song "Cannons" left me in tears. The good kind, though. I could use a plethora of words to describe Youth Lagoon's performance: beautiful, mesmerizing, captivating, ambient, nostalgic. Would I recommend them to anyone who has never listened to them? Of course. Does their live performance deviate greatly from their studio sound? Not at all. Both are incredible. Would I see them in concert again? Definitely, in a heart beat.
nataleexx
I had read others reviews of Youth Lagoon's other shows, and from what I had read they were all great. The show was INCREDIBLE! I am a huge Youth fan and the performance was so good. The band is awesome and vibes off each other, the light show was cool, and Trevor Powers (youth lagoon) gave a personal experience to the audience. Will easily go see them all again.
gregpatrisso
One of the best shows I've ever gone to. Amazing performance, and amazing effort to have audience connection. He was so genuine, fun, and engaging. I also loved the layout of the musicians, which was a half circle, all of them facing each other.
katie-bickley
Videos (2)
