When one usually thinks of the rock scene in LA, bands like Guns N’ Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mötley Crüe, etc., mid 80s, glam rock, metal, and “Sex, Drugs, and Rock N’ Roll”, famously coined by British musician Ian Dury, come to mind. The impact of these words could be felt far across the ocean, and would eventually become a lifestyle rockstars would live by, and were revered for. It built a larger than life image that would come to define an era of music and culture.

The modern depiction of rock fails to conjure any real notable tropes. Good or bad, no matter how the genre shifts, individual bands are now dissected on a case by case basis, devoid of stereotypes. Trope is an alternative progressive/rock band located in Los Angeles. Formed in 2016, lead singer Diana Studenberg’s vocals help create their dark aura and introspective angst. Tropes debut album, Eleutheromania, expands on the ideas on truth, human behavior, and our ability to navigate through life challenges with faith in mankind. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about Trope.

Where are you based?
Trope is based between Los Angeles, CA and Europe

What inspired you to get into music?
It can be hard to pin-point the nucleus of something I take for granted always. Just felt deeply entrenched, but if I was to guess, I’d say it was listening to records in the car with my dad since I was four years old. He’d play all sorts of music ranging from Kris Kristofferson, Julio Iglesias, The Rolling Stones or even Spanish rap. I really cherish those moments. He’d explain to me why he loved Julio Iglesias’ lyrics, or sing along to Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel. The combination of feeling his love for music, and also craving my own voice from such a young age, was my segue drug for diving into music.

"Lambs," one of the singles off your debut album Eleutheromania, seems to allude to a sorrowful stance discerning negative worldly influences on the human psyche. What were your thoughts and hopes for the song?
That’s a beautiful statement ‘a sorrowful stance’. I actually never thought of ‘Lambs’ as being specifically sorrowful, but it 100% is. Beneath all the finger pointing, mirk and anger of trying to understand accountability – why people feel the need to behave in such seemingly cruel ways, and what within me was enabling this behavior at the time - was a deep sorrow. My bubble was completely burst. The world wasn’t what I thought it would or ‘should’ be in terms of expecting a baseline of respect and kindness. And I couldn’t wrap my head around the seeming insatiably selfish desire for power and how some people feel the need to take their own inner toxic feelings of powerlessness out on others. ‘Lambs’ was my attempt to rationalize a truth about the world that can’t be rationalized, and in that attempt, as you so acutely picked up, both a sorrow and frustration percolated which motivated the lyrics.

"Craving in gold, seeking control and allowing the vapid to strangle your soul." The last verses in "Lambs" continues and concludes the song in an ominous tone. These lyrics could be seen as introspective or an observation of others. Can you talk about your personal journey of introspection and the path that led to this song?
100% again. Those lyrics are both an introspection of self and observation of others. It’s basically what, in my mind, is the result of what can happens to us when we chase approval or seek to only serve our own ego and need for power. At the time, in order to try and rationalize my choices, I convinced myself that I wanted things to do with career for example, that I actually didn’t want at all. I wasn’t serving my true need by spending enough time in creativity, but rather I was helping serve other people’s visions in non-creative roles. So I thought at least I wanted to be right or relevant and indispensable. Something along those lines. None of those things need to be per se negative, our ego can be a powerful motivator. But, when we put ourselves in situations that create such a staggering imbalance between what our heart yearns and craves for versus just ‘doing what we think we should’ based on external validators/road maps... then it can seriously fuck with our equilibrium and spiritual health.

"Breach" opens with the intense lines "Handcuffed barters, played the martyr, lying till my whole head was doused." The themes of protest and rebellion have some punk-like aspects. How do you relate these rebellious themes with the need for emotional and spiritual wellness?
I often find growth, at least in my case, gets sparked by rebellion. Rejecting the status quo, rejecting the cubicles I’m told I should fit into, rejecting my own naysaying or limiting beliefs, and most definitely of those around me. If we lived in a kind world, I wouldn’t say rebellion would be a gateway to wellness or evolution. But amid some wonderful humanity, there’s a lot of darkness. And to not get sucked in and to keep a kind state that isn’t hardened, I adamantly have rejected a lot of what I consider ‘misinformation’ I’ve been fed. And you know… I suppose there are some folks who can practice radical acceptance, and instead of pushing against what they reject they convert that energy into strength… there’s something to that too. That takes time and further exploration, I think, for me, anyways. Meanwhile, fuck you and I love you so damn much… in the same breath.

Tears For Fears, Roland Orzabal spoke on "Shout" as it relates to political protest and The Cold War. How do you feel these lyrics hold up in relation to our current global political climate? Is that what inspired you to cover this song?
We actually were inspired by the song well before any of this specific global unrest sparked. It was probably a couple of years back when we decided to work on this cover and, to be honest, I wasn’t fully even aware of the political references in ‘Shout’. I fell in love with the lyrics and thought it more an anthem of empowerment. And like what you said – of rebellion. But that’s the beauty of Tears for Fears and ‘Shout’… this song can relay to our personal psyche, political psyche, and is still so relevant on all fronts to this day. We are definitely living in violent times, and voices are shouting from so many directions, needing to feel heard. I have hope that they are starting to be… I just hope we’re not at the cusp of more turmoil. But you know, humans are resilient. I have both faith, hope [and disdain at times, lol] for our species. We’ll figure it out, one way or another.

Can you talk about your time as the president of your college branch of Free the Children? Did this position have an influence on your outlook on philanthropy and charity?
Oh! At the time, I was in college and I just wanted to be of use in some way. And it felt really great to raise funds and awareness for a cause that I believed in. Specifically, our fundraisers were geared towards raising money for prosthetic limbs for underprivileged children. I have some new ideas for causes I deeply want to support, but until I wrap my head around doing it, I don’t want to just talk about it, you know?

Can you talk about your charity concert for SKETCH? What inspired you to perform with this group?
SKETCH is a really cool community that organizes creative programs for underprivileged youth. I found out about them right before I left Toronto to move to Vancouver and organized an intimate concert showcasing different performers to raise money for them… it was just a small gesture and they were really great to communicate with.

You've also volunteered with Project Limelight Society, a local organization that gave theatre classes and put on productions for underprivileged youth. How was your experience, and why is it important to you?
Yes, Moonhead [Trope’s producer and guitarist] actually introduced me to Project Limelight because he’d been helping them out before I moved to Vancouver. The kids were such a joy to be around and work with. I helped on a few gigs, mainly assistant editing some of their filmed content, but getting to see the shows and interact with the kids was so so much fun. PLS really does a great job in bringing the community together and offering kids a chance to express themselves creatively and in front of an audience. It’s important to me because I think giving young ones the opportunity to explore their voice and interests in a free and non-judgmental space is key. Having one’s creativity nurtured from a young age sticks with one into adulthood, or at least I can speculate it would, considering how the transverse felt.

Are you finding ways to give back and/or be involved with the community during this time?
I’ve donated micro amounts to a few causes during the pandemic, doing the dance of wanting to help more, but also really needing to stay safe/sustainable. Honestly, it’s been such a rollercoaster of emotion that I’ve really been trying to practice self-care and kindness to others and anyone I come into contact with. It’s not as grand as how I ultimately want to be of service, but for now, it’s what I have.

How has COVID impacted you? Have you started performing again?
We’re in very humbling times I think, or at least I see it that way. I feel incredibly fortunate for what I have, and all of this has made me really take a good look at that. But I feel a lot, I feel for the world and for those around me. There’s so much noise out there and so much anger and hate exposing itself. It’s too much negativity and it’s not healthy for us to be subject to so much of it all at once. That’s why… my ultimate goal right now is to be kind and to work hard to stay positive, to try really hard to look for the humanity in circumstances, rather than constantly yield to ‘us against them’ rhetoric… just for my own sanity. There’s a lot I don’t know, and I’d like to deepen my understanding and also share kindness and put more art into the world… try to add to the good juju that’s so needed right now.

How are you staying positive during this time?
By moving! A thing I find very scary to do in this time, but necessary for my psychological well-being. I’m currently in Eastern Europe with Moonhead, and we’re working intensely on more writing, I’ve got some recording gigs coming up here too, and we’ll also be performing outdoor, social-distance friendly shows, starting July 15.

What is your motto in life?
Always evolve past your previous motto ;p. I think probably to listen to my inner voice and to constantly be open to evolution and learning while always considering others/never turning into a selfish asshat.

Also remembering to be thankful, which brings me to – thank you so much for taking the time to research our music and really consider it in the depth you have. I appreciate your care, your thoughtfulness, and also support in sharing what we do. xo

To learn more about Trope, please follow them via the following platforms:
http://www.tropetheband.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tropeband
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tropeband
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tropeband
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1dFOyNJR6px6zWvJVA8DIa?si=qQShQc0lQsW6fcpY7IIqkg
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tropeband

Photography credits LPR Agency.

Trope Explores Truth On Eleutheromania