Ever wanted to pick up an instrument but felt like it was too late? Ever wanted to try something unique and different but never tried it out of the fear that it may be too difficult? With only two years of playing the banjo under his belt, Ben Trister, a Plymouth State sophomore, shows that a ton of experience is not a necessity in order to become a talented musician on campus.
After picking up the banjo less than two years ago, Trister has made quite a name for himself at Open Mic events. After inspiration from one of his best friends who had played the guitar for many years, Trister decided it was something that he wanted to try, “I first learned how to play the ukulele, and then bought both a guitar and banjo. I ended up buying both a guitar and banjo at the same time,” Trister said.
What makes Trister most interesting, though, is the style of music that he’s into. Searching for folk tunes from all over the world, Trister likes to play the music that most students don’t listen to these days, “I like a lot of traditional folk music, and have been most recently playing Norwegian fiddle tunes. I like to play songs from all around the world,” Trister said, “I don’t know anyone else whose into what I’m into.” Although these songs are unrecognizable by the students at Open Mic, the talent that Trister has for playing the banjo always silences the crowd. When he hits the stage, his performance is always a refreshing and impressive change of pace for the audience. Always impressed by his skill, his unique performance is welcomed back to Open Mics again and again.
With the experience that Trister has now had, he’s just recently started writing and playing his own music. With a performance at this weekends Earth Jam, Trister hopes to give the crowd a taste of what his own music sounds like, “I just started writing my own songs and I’m going to play one that I wrote with my banjo at this weekends Earth Jam,” Trister said.
Trister agrees claims it’s not difficult to find something to write about. “Pretty much everything inspires me,” Trister said, “Anything from walking across campus to hanging out with my friends. Just life in general.” With other performances from The Matter, Twiddle, Big Love Monster and Black Bear Moon at this weekends Earth Jam, it will be interesting to see what Trister’s solo act will have to offer. Earth Jam is this Sunday, April 20 starting at 12p.m. in front of the Silver Center for the Arts.