Classical High Grad Rocking Finance and Music — See New Video
Thursday, November 04, 2021
Providence native Troy Simpson might be going to grad school for finance, but he is hoping at the moment his future might just be in music.
This week, the Classical High School graduate and his band Graffiti Smile released their new music video, “Airplane."
Simpson, in the midst of getting ready for midterms, spoke with GoLocal about his musical upbringing — and aspirations.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I feel fortunate to have this background and passion,” said Simpson, who grew up playing piano, but has also been honing his skills on guitar since college — which was Temple University for undergrad, and now Vanderbilt for grad school.
Simpson joined Graffiti Smile while at Temple, and says the reaction to the band’s music — and video — has been “fantastic.”
“For a first effort, we couldn't have asked for more,” said Simpson of the video. “We’re just trying to boost our exposure and trying to get in front of a label. We feel we have a lot of qualities that you see the most famous bands having — personality, distinct sound, and a bunch of different characters.”
“Music is the most important thing in my life for a number of reasons,” he added. “At the end of the day, my career in finance is always going to be there.”
Playing Piano as "Long as He Can Remember"
Simpson said growing up in a musical family planted the seeds for his love — and passion — for music.
“My parents were always playing music. My dad is a life-long musician,” said Simpson.
According to family lore, Simpson's grandmother taught him dozens of American patriotic songs while he was just a toddler, which he would then memorize and sing.
"I was so young, I have hardly any memory of that, " said Simpson, laughing. "The earliest experience I can remember was playing the piano. I’d go see my great-grandfather and play with him on his piano.”
Simpson said his parents — John and Amy Simpson — put him in piano lessons when he was in kindergarten, and he played throughout his early school years at the Henry Barnard School.
When it came time for high school, Simpson said he was fortunate to slide right into the Classical High School jazz band.
“It’s funny, the Classical ‘jazz band’ is not really a jazz band at all — it may have been at one point,” said Simpson. “It was really the brainchild of Dr. Allan Raskin. He’s an ER doctor and a huge music fanatic whose daughter went to Classical.”
Simpson said that the Classical jazz band experience under Raskin allowed him to hone his skills both in school performances and outside gigs — but said he feels that more financial support for the arts at the school is needed.
“The Classical arts scene is fantastic and incredibly underfunded, which is a huge shame,” said Simpson. “There are so many talented people, not just in music, but in the visual and theater arts.”
His senior year, Simpson said the theater production he was a part of had to perform in the school’s library.
Simpson credits the school’s staff with working with the resources available.
“Emerson Brown [in the music department[ is a really great guy and worked to facilitate whatever he could,” said Simpson.
Joining the Band
While at Temple, Simpson — through mutual friends — linked up with Graffiti Smile brainchild Andrew Montoya, and a musical connection was made.
The coronavirus pandemic, however, did not make things easy Simpson’s senior year.
“During COVID, I feel like I pretty much spent most of it in quarantine, working on the guitar,” said Simpson.
And when Simpson finally joined forces with Graffiti Smile and began playing gigs, due to coronavirus restrictions, like many musicians, they played outside.
“The first show we played together was outside was for a friend’s mother’s birthday in October at night, and it was freezing,” said Simpson. “We could barely play our instruments.”
Now that Simpson is in Nashville for graduate school, while travel has opened up, he is working to balance student life with playing in the band back in Philadelphia.
“There were some logistical issues with the shoot when I’d flown back up for it,” said Simpson. “If you notice in 'Airplane,' I’m barely in the video at all.”
Simpson, however, says he plans to play with the band as much as he can.
“I just feel really fortunate to have this passion,” said Simpson, of his music.
