Get To Know: TRISTAN RAY

After years working behind the scenes in Hollywood, Tristan Ray is stepping into a new role, this time as the artist. The Los Angeles–based rock musician only began releasing music in 2025, yet with just two singles out, he’s already catching early attention across Spotify’s algorithmic ecosystem. His latest track, “Leap of Faith,” is gaining traction through Radio, Daylist, and personalized playlists, an uncommon pace for an independent artist at this stage. With a background that includes working alongside major film and television talent, Ray is now channeling that experience into his own emotionally driven sound, marking a bold transition from industry insider to emerging voice.

Welcome to Curious For Music! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your latest release? 

Honestly, I didn’t even want to make this song at first. After my first single dropped, I was ready to go a completely different direction. I had this other record lined up that was way more…reckless. Late night, bad decision kind of vibe ;) But I’m a storyteller at the end of the day, and I didn’t want to just drop songs for the sake of it. It had to mean something. Peace with the Past was me holding on. Leap of Faith is me finally letting go and actually doing something about it. This song kind of chose me. I didn’t really have a say.

What was the creative process like for this project?

This one started super simple. My co-writer Iyan sent me a voice memo of him humming chords. I grabbed a guitar and we started building it out. He’s seen my whole journey up close, so there was already emotion baked into it. Then we took it to my producer Nick Stone, and that’s when it got kind of out of hand in the best way. I think we had over 200 tracks in the session at one point. Which sounds insane, but we were chasing a feeling, not a formula. I had just quit my job. So releasing anything else would’ve felt like I was avoiding the truth.

How does this new release differ from your previous work?

My catalog is still pretty small, so every release feels like a shift. Peace with the Past was reflective. It was me looking back, stuck in something I couldn’t let go of. This one is different. It’s the decision. Sonically, they live in the same world. Cinematic but built to feel something. But this one leans more into that 80s glow while still keeping the pop rock core.

Were there any particular challenges you faced while making this music?

The biggest challenge was honestly not overdoing it. We had so many influences flying around. Stuff like The Verve, Oasis, Coldplay. All of it sounds great on its own. The hard part is making it all feel like one song and not a playlist. Nick really carried that on the production side. My job was mostly not to get in the way of the emotion.

Did you collaborate with any other artists or producers on this project?

Yeah, I worked closely with my producer Nick Stone on this. You can actually hear him doing some of the choir vocals, which adds to that bigger, almost cinematic lift. It stopped feeling like a “track” at that point and started feeling like a moment.

What message or emotion do you hope listeners take away from this release?

I don’t really care if people just “like” the song. I want it to hit a nerve a little. If you’ve been putting something off or waiting for the perfect timing, I hope this song messes with you just enough to do something about it. Not in a motivational speech way. Just…enough to shake you.

Is there a story or concept that ties the songs together?

Yeah, there’s definitely a through-line. If you listen to Peace with the Past and then Leap of Faith, it’s basically two chapters of the same story. The first one is about holding on to someone you loved. The second is about finally letting go and choosing something new. For me, that wasn’t just emotional. It was real. I quit my 9 to 5 and went all in on music! So the song isn’t just about a Leap of Faith, it actually is one.

How has your sound or style evolved on this release compared to your earlier work?

I leaned way more into the 80s influence on this one. Not because it’s trending, but because that’s what I grew up on. My favorite movie as a kid was Ghostbusters, so that whole era just stuck with me. This feels closer to what my sound is actually supposed to be.

Is there a track in your music discography that feels especially meaningful to you? What makes it stand out?

Right now, it’s Leap of Faith. It’s the first song where I felt like I was actually taking a real risk. Not just sonically, but personally. Coming off a ballad, I didn’t know how people were going to respond to something that felt bigger and a little more left of center. But I think if you’re not a little nervous putting something out, it probably doesn’t mean enough.

How do you plan to share this release with your audience? Are there any upcoming performances, videos, or special projects in the works?

We’ve got a music video dropping April 22 on YouTube, which really brings the world of the song to life. Beyond that, the focus is just building this the right way. More music. More shows around LA. More real moments people can actually connect to. I’m not trying to rush it. I’d rather people feel it than just scroll past it.