Music isn’t just something to listen to for student musician Trevor McCord.
McCord, a senior studying psychology from California, said, “I would say most people say, ‘I love music and I connect with it,’ but there is a more intimate level that only few are blessed to have. It’s a true understanding of where music comes from and how it shapes the world.”
Born and raised in Sacramento, McCord hopes to one day use his psychology degree to be “a head honcho in the music industry.” Having released his first album titled “Signs” last August, McCord’s next album is set to release in June.
“I am currently finishing up the CD I recorded with my project band from last semester, called the Wing Tips, and I’d say it’s the best music I’ve written so far.”
McCord started learning music at 15 years old. “I started playing guitar in high school, and from there I moved on to playing bass in a couple of rock bands. When I moved to Hawaii I bought myself a ukulele and went from there. I tried to learn how to play the piano, and I have dabbled a little bit in the banjo as well.”
McCord said he has felt Lord’s hand in the songs he’s written. “To be honest,” said McCord, “the best songs ever written were definitely not composed by the person who put their name on it. I can recognize that with much of my music. So it’s been a manifestation of how much God loves and how much he wants to help us develop our talents.”
Music has strengthened McCord’s testimony of the gospel and “the love Heavenly Father has for each of us because He’s the one who has blessed me with this talent. I have seen a very direct influence in my best songs from Him. When we truly ask for help in anything – even something as outside of the gospel as music can be sometimes – He is there to guide us,” he said.
“Another instance is how driven I am with anything behind music, which to be honest doesn’t happen with other things,” continued McCord. “I know this is because of the Spirit lighting a fire within me to do anything with music, even if it’s as small as taking care of my instrument. And I feel that sharing this talent with others is the best way I can express to the world how much Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be the best at whatever we want to be the best at.”
Performing wasn’t always easy for McCord. He said, “At first when I started performing at age 16, I would get nervous before I would get on stage. But after the first handful of gigs I played I felt really comfortable on stage. It was just sort of this atmosphere that I craved, and I got over the nervousness by outing myself out there and now it’s the place where I’m most comfortable.”
When describing his genre of music, McCord explained, “What I play is kind of hard to put in a category; I feel it is very unique in itself, but because of that it probably fits in to the Indie music category.”
Trevor McCord’s album “Signs” can be found on major music services like iTunes, Spotify and SoundCloud. Hard copies can be purchased from McCord himself.