Level Up: Trxy! Talks Gaming and its Influence on His Music

There are a lot of emotions flowing through Trxy!’s debut album, Drowning In Bliss. Released in February via UnitedMasters, the Southern Virginia singer-songwriter was caught up in the throes of a lot of heavy feelings when he set out to write these songs. Overcome with grief and a deep sense of personal loss, the record acts as a release and a grand act of self-expression. Trxy! was dealing with a period of great depression, and he found music to be a helpful outlet for him.

Each song is like its own emotional chapter, exploring pain and self-reflection. In writing the album, he felt overwhelmed with emotion at times. Even positive emotions were not necessarily any better. They can still prompt grief and bring up unpleasant memories. As a group of songs, Drowning In Bliss is Trxy! unpacking that difference between positive and negative emotions. It’s both a vulnerable and cathartic album for him.

More than just a musician, Trxy! has a lot of interest in other forms of media. He has a personal connection to gaming and its relationship with music. As a gamer since a young age, he began pairing his music with gaming screen-grab slideshows on TikTok. It began to resonate with TikTok users and massively increased his following on the platform. Trxy!’s videos continue to be common within gaming spaces where his music has really found a home.

Based on his love of gaming, there would be no better guest for a Level Up interview than Trxy!. He joins us today to discuss gaming culture, favourite games, games as art, and more.

What video game introduced you to the world of gaming?

Trxy!: “Spider-Man: Friend or Foe on the PS2 was the game that really introduced me to gaming. That was my start.”

What are your favourite types of games to play?

“I usually go for the early 2000s action, horror and shooter games, just anything with the PS2 and PS3 vibe.”

How do you feel about more games featuring VR options?

“I think VR is cool, but I’m still more drawn to classic console gaming.”

Why do you think gaming is an important part of our culture?

“I think gaming brings people together and gives everyone a chance to escape for a bit. It’s a big part of how people connect now.”

Trxy! Level Up Interview, photo courtesy of Trxy!

Have video games ever inspired you musically?

“Yeah, for sure. A lot of my sound and visuals come from the moods of early 2000s games.”

If you were given an unlimited budget to create a video game based on your band, what would it look like?

“It would definitely be a PS2-era action horror game built around shoegaze, hazy visuals, loud atmosphere and just the whole aesthetic of the genre.”

Do you prefer console or PC?

“Console for sure, that’s what I grew up on.”

Is there anything you wish the gaming community would do more of?

“I wish a lot more people supported more underrated and older games; there are so many hidden gems.”

Trxy! ‘Drowning in Bliss’ album artwork

How do you think gaming culture will evolve in the upcoming years?

“I think it will keep getting more social and a lot more immersive, but people like me will always come back to the classics.”

How would you introduce someone to gaming who has never played a video game before?

“I’d start with the classics I grew up with and show them how enjoyable gaming can be.”

Which video game have you logged the most hours in?

“Definitely Skate 3, I have spent countless hours on that game.”

What is the most beautiful game you’ve ever played?

“Marvel’s Spiderman (2018) was such a beautiful game; the visuals are like no other.”

Trxy! Level Up Interview, photo courtesy of Trxy!

Much has been made about whether video games can be art – what do you think?

“Yeah, games are definitely art, the visuals, music, and storytelling.”

Which video game gets you the most competitive?

“Skate 3 for sure.”

Do you prefer playing solo, versus, cooperative, or competitive?

“I usually like playing online or solo, and sometimes story mode.”

What is the scariest game you’ve ever played?

“Definitely The Joy of Creation, that game scared me the most.”

What is the hardest game you’ve ever played?

“Definitely, the Silent Hill 2 remake. That game was really frustrating for me.”

What is the best game you’ve ever played?

“Left 4 Dead 2 for sure, that’s my all-time favourite game.”

What game do you think you’re the best at?

“Skate 3, definitely the game I’m best at.”

If there’s one video game you think everyone should play, what is it?

“Left 4 Dead 2 and Skate 3, everyone should experience that at least once.”