Behind the Music: A Spotlight on Guitarist Trey Hawkins from Set // Adrift and Light The Fire

I recently had the chance to engage in a conversation with Trey Hawkins, the skilled guitarist of Sett//Adrift. During our discussion, we explored his musical path, the harmony within the band, and his personal hobbies.

AA: Please share your background with us. I'd love to learn about where you're from, your upbringing, and how your cultural heritage has influenced who you are today. Also, what significant life experiences have played a crucial role in shaping your identity?

TH: So was born in San Diego California, but my dad was military, so growing up I lived all over the country. Most of my time was spent off and on in Florida though; I know that having that semi-unique experience affected how I made friends, what things I prioritize in life, the perspective I have, etc. I’ve had a few experiences in life that have solidified my worldview and identity in faith, and that’s been a tremendously important aspect of who I am. I don’t even necessarily mean in a religious sense but just maintaining a view of myself and life that there *are* wonders in the world and beyond and I think that’s beautiful.

AA: I am genuinely fascinated by the story behind your musical journey. I would love to know what specific moment or experience ignited your passion for music and how you decided to pursue it. What were your challenges, and what steps did you take to turn your passion into a successful musical journey?

TH: When I was 13 I lived across the street from a guy that was a musician. He played in a band here in DFW called Backseat Driver, and they were in that kinda Good Charlotte era pop punk/alt/emo vein. I just remember hearing him talk about it, the occasional practice, and I think that’s really where I got bitten by the bug for music. I’m not even sure he knows how much of an impact he had on me, but it for sure changed the trajectory of my life. Fast forward a bit, life and school and parents got in the way…but I got my first guitar when I was a junior in high school and that kinda brought me back to the original idea of starting a band. I started my first band at 18 the summer before college and it was….bad. It was a steppingstone though and I for sure had no idea that I’d literally be making music for the rest of my life (so far). As far as obstacles, I’d say the biggest hurdle has been people. So many “friends” and people I met along the way either just let me down or actively worked against me (or more so just in their own self-interest) and that was a hard lesson to learn. I think the only thing I really did to turn this into something was to take it seriously, make decisions as if they have lasting effects, and choose my circle carefully!

AA: Is there a particular artist whose music and personal journey have profoundly influenced your decision to pursue your passion for music? Did their story inspire you to take the leap and form your band? Please share how their experiences and artistry have shaped your musical path.

TH: Oh gosh there are so many! Early on I’d say I had all the same guitar idols that most people have: David Gilmore, Andy Summers, Alex Lifeson, etc. I think the thing that I set myself apart a bit with though was I always knew I wanted to write songs, and that guitar was just a vehicle for that. So, the bands that I’ve been drawn to as inspirations aren’t always super guitar heavy. I’d say one of the most influential artists for me and particularly Set//Adrift is Being as an Ocean. I remember hearing them for the first time and just being in awe of the art they had created; and the lyrical value behind it…they’re incredible. It’s a little out of left field, but I’d say the artist that contributed the most to my overall outlook on music and having a band would be Thrice. The Alchemy Index legitimately changed my perspective on what I’d eventually call a “complete art piece.” That meaning, where every aspect and detail of the release serves the greater purpose of the art. If you’re not familiar I highly recommend diving into the details of that. The songs, the lyrics, the instrumentation and textures they used, song titles, artwork, marketing….it helped it transcend to more than just an album (or in this case 4 EPs). So, I for sure have always been chasing that level of detail in my work.

AA: I’m intrigued by your journey—could you share how you first became involved with Light The Fire and Set Adrift? What motivated you to join these projects, and what experiences or moments during your involvement have stood out to you the most?

TH: I moved to Texas in 2015 and had been in bands from 2008 to 2014 in Florida…so naturally I wanted to continue writing and playing and I looked at this as a fresh start. I had a friend that worked at Guitar Center with me when I first moved to Fort Worth, and he asked me to help get a new band off the ground. That band eventually became The Great Line, which was the precursor to Set//Adrift. It was really more a studio project as it was only two of us writing, and although we did get an EP recorded and released, it never really got off the ground. While I was waiting on that, Light the Fire happened to be needing a fill-in guitarist and so I hopped on with them purely because I liked the guys and it was a chance to be on stage again. I ended up really becoming close with all them and so they eventually asked me to stay on as a full-time member. I helped write the 2019 album “Compassion in Unlikely Places” and took an even greater role in the writing in the singles/EPs we’ve done since. I’ve had some of my favorite memories in music with the LTF guys and we really are more of a family than just a band these days.

Band | LIGHTHEFIRE

TH: We recently got to record our upcoming EP with Beau from Saosin and that was an experience I could never have dreamed of when I was 13 listening to that self-titled record. Set//Adrift really took shape out of songs I had been writing for The Great Line before we broke up, and in 2019 myself, my friend Taylor (from my old band in Florida), and one of his friends Andrew got together as the first legitimate incarnation of the band. We asked our other friend Cody (originally in the band Dispositions) to record vocals and those became the Narcissit//Bloom single. Eventually Cody needed to follow a different path professionally and another friend from Florida, Josh, joined on vocals. His addition really created the dynamic and creative direction we have now and it’s been awesome. As soon as we knew we were gonna play shows we added Jacob on other guitar and he’s….and absolute monster of a player. We’re so lucky to have such great musicians and even better dudes be a part of this now.

Band | SET//ADRIFT

AA: Could you share more about your other band, Light The Fire, for which you provide the guitar riffs? I'm curious about how the band formed and what inspired you to start it. Additionally, what's the story behind the name Light The Fire? What genre of music do you play, and what themes or messages do you explore in your songs?

TH: So, I touched on it a little in the last question, but I was the final addition to the band. The name and artistic direction predated me, by quite a few years. They were signed to Standby Records in 2015 and I joined in late 2017. Ltf’s founding member Andrew would have to speak to the early days, but since I joined Seth (vocalist) has been the main creative force lyrically. I’d call it metalcore I suppose? I try to add as much melodic hardcore as is reasonable, but I think at its core, Light the Fire is a metalcore band. Seth is a great lyricist and has a lot to pull from in personal experiences as well as social observations. Our newest material is probably the most vulnerable he’s written, and it’s been much more intrapersonal than our last album “Compassion in Unlikely Places”. I feel like that record was written much more from a place of activism. That’s still a part of who we are, like the song “Barriers” is very societally charged, but he flexed more of his emotional vulnerability on a lot of these new songs.

AA: Could you share your experiences as a musician, particularly as a guitar player? What specific challenges do you face on your journey, such as mastering techniques, managing stage anxiety, or navigating the business aspects of music? What rewards have you discovered, such as connecting with an audience, expressing yourself creatively, or collaborating with other musicians? How do these experiences, both challenging and rewarding, influence your development as an artist and shape your overall musical journey?

TH: You know I still don’t really think of myself as a guitar player. I know I am, but I feel like I’ve always been a songwriter first. In fact, most of the leaps I’ve taken over the years as a player has been to be able to play the things I’ve written. I usually write just above my current skill level, and I’ve always made sure to surround myself with musicians that are better that me so I rise to the occasion. Stage anxiety is a big thing, but if I’m honest my secret is simple; I take my glasses off when I’m performing. I can’t see specific people in the crowd, I can really only see to the edge of the stage, my guitar, and the guys on stage with me.

TH: So, it feels like I’m just playing with my friends and the crowd is there…but I’m not looking anyone in the eye unless I'm really close. So, it becomes much more manageable. I think the most important takeaway for me as a musician has been getting to create art with people I care about (both in my bands and beyond), as well as feel like I’ve been able to contribute to someone else’s experience in life; like so many of my favorite artists have done for me. Sometimes it's hard to remember the impact we have as artists because we have to worry about numbers and algorithms and streams and staying visible on platforms that want artists to pay to reach their audiences…but then we play a show, and I get to connect with someone, and it makes it all worth it.

AA: Could you elaborate on your recent EP, "A Monument to Absence,” which you released this year? I'm quite curious about the inspiration and story that influenced the EP. Can you explain what each song means to you personally and the emotions or experiences that contributed to their creation? Furthermore, I would love to learn about the behind-the-scenes work regarding the guitar sounds and riffs you used to enhance the overall sound of each track. What techniques or equipment did you utilize to create the distinct textures and atmospheres in the music?

TH: So like I said before, I started writing these songs back in 2017/2018, so in particular ‘Wake’ and ‘Rot’ are pretty old musically, ‘Absence’ and ‘Monument’ are actually the newest, and we finished writing monument a week before we hit the studio to record it. When Josh joined the band, he brought his own lyric writing expertise and style, but it meshed so well with mine it was incredible. We had multiple moments writing the vocals for these songs where things just *clicked* and its like we were in each other’s heads. He wrote the lyrics for ‘Wake’ about on of his good friends that took his own life. It’s been a crowd favorite and it’s been really good to see Josh get such catharsis out of recording and performing that one. ‘Rot’ we wrote the lyrics together and It’s essentially about moving on from broken relationships; letting the memories and old parts of you *rot* away. When I first wrote this song it was one of my favorites, but with Josh adding his flavor to it, it really took on a whole new life which has been incredible to see. ‘Absence’ is probably my favorite song on the EP personally.

TH: I wrote it around the start of the pandemic (musically) and it was inspired by a really rough breakup/relationship that happened literally days before Texas shut down for covid. I wrote the lyrics a little later after I had processed a bunch, and they were inspired by the book/movie “The Little Prince”. It’s technically a kids book but it has SO many incredible lessons and perspectives about life, relationships, love, and loss. The rose in the single artwork was a nod to that. ‘Monument’ being the newest was probably also the most collaborative musically, but it felt so good with everyone bringing bits to the table. Although ‘absence’ my be my favorite overall, I think ‘monument’ may be my favorite lyrically. It’s about how as we move on from relationships and through life, we become monuments to our former selves that aren’t there anymore; both in our own perspectives and to those that we love/loved.

TH: In terms of production, by good friend Dave Alcan is the recording mastermind behind all the Set//Adrift music. His ear and just sense of how to make things better is impeccable. We used a Mesa Boogie Badlander 50w head for all the rhythm guitar tones, and we actually used my Neural Quad Cortex for the clean tones and a lot of the leads. I know he added some additional details with some of his amps in his studio later, but the bulk of the tones were that combination. Reverb and delay are probably the thing I’m the pickiest about, and for the ambient sections I used the Walrus Audio Slöer reverb, and the Chase Bliss Thermae analog delay. I can do almost anything with the QC, but those two are still on my board because they’re so unique. For the guitars I used my Suhr custom JM, and Suhr Classic T, and those are just unbeatable in terms of playability and the tones I can get out of them.

AA: Who is the guitarist you admire most who encouraged you to begin playing the instrument? What aspects of their playing style or musical talent do you find inspiring and drive you to seek a professional music career?

TH: When I started playing, my main inspiration was David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. His ability to add textures to his guitar work and do so much with so few notes…it’s hard not to be inspired by that. His guitar lines are memorable and have such a mastery of melody and phrasing, I could go on and on. Playing heavier music though I’d say I’m the most inspired by Aaron Marshall of Intervals, actually for very similar reasons as my affinity for David. Aaron’s legato lines and catchiness to his leads and song structures are still some of the best I’ve ever heard. Of course I’d be doing myself a disservice if I also didn’t mention the guitar work on any of the Misery Signals albums. I know they’ve had a few guitarists over the years, but their arrangements and guitar acrobatics for sure are a big part of how I think about guitar in the context of writing for both Set//Adrift and Light the Fire.

AA: Can you recall the details of your very first live performance? Describe the setting, the crowd’s energy, and the anticipation leading up to that moment. What were your thoughts and feelings as you stepped onto the stage, and how did it impact you both during the performance and afterward?

TH: Oh gosh, my first live performance ever was on a tiny stage on the side of a gas station outside…it was terrible. The crowd’s energy was pretty non-existent since it was mostly our parents begrudgingly sitting in lawn chairs in the middle of Floridian summer haha. I think the takeaway for me from that experience was “I have to get better at this.” I needed that embarrassing experience to give me the perspective of what I’d be willing to accept from myself. So, everything I’ve done since, I’ve attempted to make it as professional as I could in the situation.

AA: Can you share a funny or embarrassing moment from a live performance?

TH: Oh gosh. Light the fire played in either Flint or Detroit…I can’t remember. The band we were out with had a fill in drummer and he became friends with us, and that night it was his birthday and he and I got…*way* too drunk…before we played our set haha. So we’re waiting back stage to come out for our intro, and right before we go out on stage I leaned over to Seth (our singer) and said “hey…I don’t remember how the first song starts…” and then walked out on stage haha. As soon as the song started muscle memory took over and it was fine but in that moment he and I both panicked; it was hilarious in retrospect.

AA: What's your strategy for networking and forging connections in the vibrant world of the music industry?

TH: This is one aspect of the internet I have found very helpful. I’m naturally an introvert, and at shows I usually have pretty bad anxiety. So if you’ve ever come up to me at a show and I seem standoffish, I promise I’m not…I’m just struggling haha. Instagram and Tiktok have helped me connect with so many like-minded musicians and fans and its been almost effortless to do so. I talked with a friend once about how our internet persona can be different from who we are in real life, but I really do think its a good way to open that door to beginning to understand someone if you have the desire to.

AA: Could you tell me about any upcoming projects, tours, or collaborations you’re looking forward to? I'm eager to hear what you're most excited about and any details you can share about these initiatives!

TH: So coming up, Set//Adrift has our first single off of our second EP (sort of a part 2) coming out December 13th. I don’t know if this will be out before then, but it’s the start of the second phase for us as a band and this will be the last of the songs I had written before the rest of the guys joined. Light the Fire is currently in the studio for our next release as well, and will be putting the final single of our upcoming EP out November 22nd. Death Won’t Be The End Of Me was originally going to be a full record, but we go so excited and off-the-wall creatively that we decided to do a part 1 and part 2. So Nov. 22nd will be the release for part 1. 2025 will be a lot of fun for both bands, but I think Set//Adrift will be starting to get out on the road and out of Texas. At least, that’s my goal.

AA: What does success look like to you?

TH: I think for me, it’s being able to make music with my friends and have it available to as many people as we can; based on how much we put into it. We’re all right around 30, so I don’t think any of us want to be on the road 300 days out of the year, so if we got to tour a couple months out of the year, play with our friends, maybe make some of our heroes our peers, I’d consider this successful.

AA: How do you define happiness in your own life? I think for myself, I’d define happiness as synonymous with fulfillment.

TH: Having people, I love and care about around; me enriching their lives, and vice versa. Of course, being an artist/musician is a part of that, but that’s not *all* it is. Especially if it comes at the cost of the other personal part of my life. But to me, they’re parallel lines that can add to each other but should never take away from each other.

AA: What are some activities you enjoy doing in your free time?

TH: I’m a pretty big nerd, so I just love watching movies/shows, playing the occasional video game, magic the gathering, and then my wild card is I love bouldering/rock climbing! It’s like a mental puzzle where I get to climb on cool stuff haha.

AA: What hobbies or pastimes do you find particularly enjoyable when you’re not immersed in your music? Are there specific activities that allow you to unwind and express yourself differently?

TH: For the people that have known me for years, I’m sure this always comes as a little bit of a strange pastime, but my favorite thing to do and turn my brain off to is watch football. I *hated* football as a kid, but my stepdad was really into it and it ended up being a bonding thing with us. After his passing, it became a way for me to keep him alive in me. Now I have my own independent love of the sport, and how it connects me to others. Big Green Bay fan, but I do enjoy just watching a few games on a Sunday after I’ve eaten too much and don’t want to move.

AA: Share three individuals who have significantly influenced your life, positively or negatively, and explain why.

TH: There are literally SO many, but I’ll try and limit it to 3 haha. The first is my high school biology teacher Mark, he was the first person to believe in me as a musician/guitar player and I 100% would not be who I am without his support and influence. Second would be my stepdad. He passed when I was 19 but he also believed in me when he didn’t have to, and was the best example of what being a good man is. Third is cliche, but it would have to be my mom. She practically raised me all by herself for most of my life, and I am who I am today because of her. All the good I see in myself I get from her.

AA: When it comes to movies, what are some of your all-time favorites? What is it about these particular movies that resonate with you? Is it the storytelling, the characters, the cinematography, or something else?

TH: Well, I’m a huge fantasy/Sci Fi guy. Star Wars and Lord of the Rings are lifestyles, so I usually put them above even my favorite movies. In terms of traditional cinema, Christopher Nolan is my favorite director, so Interstellar, Inception, The Prestige, etc…all incredible. Oblivion I think is my favorite standalone movie though; both the story, the message, the execution…how the filmed it, all of it. It’s perfect to me. I also really enjoy historical dramas, because of the gravity they naturally get from being things that actually happened. Movies like Munich, The Imitation Game, Black Hawk Down, October Sky, the list could go on and on. I’d say The Last Samurai, Big Fish, and No Country for Old Men should belong as honorable mentions as well. All three of those affected me profoundly in one way or another.

AA: As for TV shows, which ones do you find yourself eagerly tuning in to? What about these shows captivates you—could it be the plot twists, character development, or the overall production quality?

TH: I really like anything with a good story and execution. My favorite series of all time is probably “The Newsroom” with Jeff Daniels. Aaron Sorkin is one of the best screenwriters of all time, and his marriage of real-world events, idealist, and drama/fiction in that show is truly a masterclass. I enjoy all the typical comfort shows as well; Ted Lasso, The Office, How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Rec, etc. Any kind of epic story spanning multiple seasons I’m here for; The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Lost, I’m here for it all! Really and truly, I just love good storytelling in any medium.

AA: Regarding books, which ones are at the top of your list? What makes these books stand out to you? Is it the writing style, the themes, or the emotions they evoke?

TH: My favorite author is Stephen King, and The Dark Tower series is a masterpiece. I love how all of his writing connects back to the dark tower series in some way, and he just does such a good job of world building and making characters both relatable and unreliable in all the ways the reader would want. If you don’t want to jump into the series, I’d recommend: Cell, The Institute, or Salem’s Lot. All are incredible stand a lone novels. I grew up reading Harry Potter and later when my vocabulary was up to snuff, the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, all classics and cannot recommend enough if fantasy is your thing. I want to read to escape, similarly to when I watch movies or shows…so the more fantastic the world to get lost in the better.

AA: Which podcasts do you highly recommend and why? What sets these podcasts apart from others, in your opinion? Do they offer valuable insights, entertaining content, or something else that keeps you hooked?

TH: I’m not a *huge* podcast guy to be honest. During the pandemic I did follow one called “Thank the Maker: A Star Wars Podcast” that was started by Ryan from Yellowcard, Adam from Story of the Year, and Nick from Bayside. It was really cool to feel connected to these guys talking about one of my favorite things, especially at a time when I felt so disconnected from the rest of the world. Cannot recommend highly enough if you’re into Star Wars at all. And with them being all band dudes, it was like chatting with my bandmates or someone at a show about the super fine details about Star Wars.

AA: I'm interested in learning about your favorite bands or music artists that you're passionate about. Additionally, I'd love to hear all the details about your most memorable concert experience - the atmosphere, the performance, the venue, and anything else that made it special for you.

TH: Favorite bands is so hard to nail down…I know it’s always asked but still haha. I think if I *had* to pick, my top ones would be: Being as an Ocean, Misery Signals, The 1975, Hot Mulligan, The Weeknd, and Chvrches. Some of it is for lyrical and emotional content, some is for inspiration, and some is just because I love the songs and the way they make me feel. My favorite concert I’ve ever been to was actually the 1975 on their “at their very best” tour when they played Dallas. Seeing the songs I loved delivered so masterfully, with the production they had…it was an incredible experience I’ll never forget. True artists through and through.

AA: What three standout qualities make you truly exceptional as a guitarist?

TH: Oh, I don’t think I’m “exceptional” at all haha. I think I have a good ear for tone and for chord voicing, but that’s where I feel my strengths are.

AA: Could you delve into your experiences with mental health and share how those experiences have influenced and shaped various aspects of your life? I'm particularly interested in specific moments or challenges you've faced, how you've navigated them, and the lessons you've learned.

TH: Mental health is such an important topic and I’m not sure I’ll give it the justice it deserves, but it's something I’ve struggled with from a pretty early age. Depression, and anxiety have played a huge part in my music, and I don’t know many of my peers and musicians I look up to that it hasn’t. I know that in my late teens/early 20s I messed up a lot of my relationships and friendships because of a lack of awareness, so once I got the knowledge, I’ve made sure to use it to make myself as a competent as I can be for those around me. Last thing I ever want to be is a burden or use it as a crutch…but at the same time I think its very important to help one another and give grace to those that are struggling. Mental health is a marathon, not a sprint and if I can help others the way some have helped me, I’ll feel okay about it.

AA: Imagine you can step back in time and live in any historical period. Which era would you choose, and what draws you to it? Dive into the allure of the past and let your imagination wander!

TH: What a great question! I think if I had to choose any period it’d have to be specifically the Meji era of Japan. Obviously, my experience would be different as a westerner, but to be a fly on the wall or to experience it as someone of Japanese descent I feel like would be so enriching. I think the experience and perspective would make the world feel simultaneously larger and smaller all at the same time. Give focus to the day to day but also make the world outside of my sphere seem infinite.

AA: If you were allowed to explore a completely different career path, what would it be, and what motivates you to choose? Consider the aspects of this new profession that intrigue you, such as the skills you’d like to develop, the impact you wish to have, or the personal fulfillment you seek. What experiences or passions drive you toward this alternate career, and how do you envision it aligning with your values and aspirations?

TH: In another life I would have been a lawyer. It’s actually the career path I intended going into college before I changed my major to music. So, if I had the ability to do anything else, I’d follow that original path. I always loved the challenge and puzzle of courtroom and contract law, and I really do believe in our legal system, even with its flaws. Maybe I’d be too idealistic to make any real money doing it, but I feel like in any multiverse I’d choose passion over money.

AA: How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals during times of uncertainty or change?

TH: Well, I’ve had this internal pull to do what I’m dong since I was 13, so there are times when it literally comes down to the idea that can’t *not* do this. Life is hard, change is often followed by pain, and the music industry is one of the most vulnerable and cruel places t be as an artist or even just as a person. I fall back on the faith in myself and my friends that are on this journey with me, and at the end of the day believing that what we’re doing matters. Even in some small way making a difference for someone, even if we never know it.

AA: If you had the opportunity to sit down with your 18-year-old self and share some wisdom, what advice would you offer? Are there particular experiences or lessons you wish you had known earlier that could have shaped your journey differently?

TH: I would say that everything will happen as it's supposed to, and don’t stress out so much about the future that you miss out on the experiences in the present. I’d also tell him to not be too afraid of losing people that you allow toxic friendships to ruin the good you have going on in your life. The good people that are meant to be in your life will find their way to you if you leave space for them.

AA: How do you stay inspired and motivated during creative block or burnout?

TH: This is probably the most difficult part if I’m honest. Burnout is REAL, especially since when I’m not playing with either band I’m working at a guitar shop. Although being around music all the time is awesome, sometimes the *last* thing I want to do when I get home is play more. To combat it I compartmentalize a bit, and I make sure to make time for friends and activities outside of music. You can’t force creativity or recover from burnout without time; so, a lot of it is having the mindset that being in that state is *okay* sometimes and that I’ll pass.

AA: What message would you share with everyone if you had the world's attention for five minutes?

TH: Just that life is hard, and complex, and messy; and to give yourself and others grace for that. And we should define ourselves by how we love each other.

AA: We are grateful to Trey Hawkins from Set // Adrift and Light The Fire for graciously sharing his story and interests with us.

Trey Hawkins | Guitarist

If you want to know more about Trey Hawkins and the band he's in, just check out these links:

Trey Hawkins Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/treyfromthepath/

SET//ADRIFT Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/setadriftfbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabU1HJ7LmFqCcwrDlLYn27X973Etp4g3Mn6QFjH6yyXJATKl0uYieczFdM_aem_6d6rQCgx0LEPDhrNUQDonw

LighttheFire:

https://www.instagram.com/lightthefire_tx/

*** All photos by Trey Hawkins and video by Set//Adrift - unless otherwise noted **