Triss on staying positive in difficult times.

Interview by Ella Kaill (@ellakaill)

In South Korea, the phrase 'happy virus' is used to describe a person who constantly makes you smile no matter what. "I'm a happy person. I like writing happy songs," says Hyun Duk, singer of TRISS, a four-piece synth-pop band whose music is demandingly optimistic. Taking inspiration from their childhood love of sci-fi classics like Blade Runner, TRISS blend futuristic sounds with catchy hooks and bright lyrics to create vibrant, energetic songs. We sat down with two members of the band to discuss how they keep moving forward and stay positive in the darkest timeline.

"I think it's because of my character," Hyun Duk explains. "I try to keep my songs happy because if I write something negative, it becomes too personal." It's an interesting take on songwriting. Many artists strive to put as much emotion and relatability into their music as possible, but that's not TRISS's style. "That's the reason some people don't like our music," says singer and synth-player Daisy. "They want to empathise with the music, but they can't." 

"I try to keep my songs happy because if I write something negative, it becomes too personal. That's the reason some people don't like our music, they want to empathise with the music, but they can't." 

If TRISS let their listeners in, it's very in a subtle way, and Hyun Duk is very aware of his own boundaries when it comes to songwriting. "I used to write many love songs before I started TRISS, but the reason I don't write as many as I used to is the same reason I don't want to make my music too personal," he says. "Especially if the person in that story is in this world and she knows about it when she reads it. It gets tricky depending on if she wants to let that story go out in public or not. I want to respect that."

Despite these boundaries, listeners will hear fleeting moments in TRISS' lyrics that stir your emotions. Body and Soul is a moment of calm among other more lively songs. Lyrics like, "If I must die, you'll be the one, if I survive, you'll be the one to blame," and "I'll be the sun and shine on your pain," describe the simultaneous joys and struggles of loving someone. "I wasn't hiding anything in Body and Soul. It is a love song, and it's about my wife." It's a softer and noticeably more emotional story than other TRISS songs. Daisy agrees, "Sometimes his words sound sad, even if the mood of the song is bright." 

"Lyrics are the hardest process of making music, especially for me," Hyun Duk tells us in response. "As you can tell, we are not native English speakers," (we can't tell at all), "I spent most of my teenage period in Panama. I think that's a crucial time when you develop your language skills." All the members of TRISS are from South Korea, but most of TRISS' songs are written in English. It doesn't appear to be a particularly calculated decision, though. As Hyun Duk says, "I just write in whatever language is in my brain at that moment." 

Daisy sees the benefit of writing lyrics in English. "It might sound obvious, but I want that song to be famous globally." TRISS are already making a name for themselves outside of South Korea; they've played shows abroad, including a headline show at CoMa Festival in Brazil in 2019, and they won the grand prize at Indie Week Canada in 2018. "That was amazing," says Daisy. "Everything was unexpected. We never even knew there was a competition." Hyun Duk adds, "Yeah, nobody told us. We got an email that said we won a place in the semi-finals, and we had another show tomorrow." TRISS may not have expected it, but it would certainly not come as a surprise to anyone who has seen their confidence and energy during live performances. At one show in 2019 at Platform Changdong61, Daisy sweetly told the audience to dance more than once ...and they did.

"Our goal is to have goals. The easy goal we have right now is to keep moving."

In the last three years, TRISS have won competitions domestically and abroad, had a hit song that went viral on social media, and shared festival stages with established artists. A break into the global music market doesn't seem far out of reach, especially as they already have dedicated fans in places as far as Brazil.

However, despite a parade of cheerful, upbeat songs and a successful career, staying positive doesn't always come naturally to TRISS. When asked about the future, they answer humbly. "Our goal is to have goals. The easy goal we have right now is to keep moving." It seems like a mild reach in comparison to the success they have had in recent years.

"I was so angry the last few months, though", Daisy confesses. "I thought about quitting the band, quitting my job. I really wanted to give up on everything. I figured out that I wasn't expressing my feelings. I never wrote a song. I barely practised. I was so suppressed." It is a relatable state of mind, particularly to Hyun Duk. "I try to keep myself positive as well," he says. "Because of the recent problems in the world, you have these unwanted vacations, fluctuating income… that creates a kind of hopelessness." 

The last 18 months have indeed been challenging for so many people in so many places. It's always difficult to stay motivated and complete your goals, but it's so much harder when the world around you is burning - sometimes, quite literally. "When you find yourself in that state, I don't think you should say 'Oh, it's okay, take a break.' I don't think that's a solution," Hyun Duk tells us. "If you step back and think about it, the real reason you're feeling down these days is because you're not proud of yourself. Once you figure that out, the best way out of it is to do something that makes you feel proud again." Daisy vouches for this method. "I decided that, in order to move on from that, I should start expressing something. I started, and it changed my mindset a lot, just by trying."

TRISS are set to release their new single on September 3rd and will be their first song to incorporate Spanish lyrics. If you're wondering whether this new music will be more reflective of the current cultural zeitgeist, the answer is no. "I often feel very exhausted these days. I don't want to amplify those negative feelings [through my music]," Hyun Duk explains. The new single marries stories of the singer's dog waiting for him at home, with nightmares he suffered as a child about his life in Panama. Still, he insists it isn't a pessimistic song. 

For more information on Triss, follow them on Instagram @band_triss.