Culture & Community | Music | Arts & Culture
Myles Tripp performing and connecting with his audience. Mike Chaiken Photo, courtesy of Myles Tripp.
“Myles, never lower your standards for anyone that doesn’t know your worth. You’re more than enough,” echoes a lone baritone voice. It’s a soothing voice, the voice of an elder offering advice with love and compassion. His words are punctuated by percussive beats and accompanying, contemplative acoustic riffs that evoke heartache, yearning, and loss.
In response, a layered vocal harmony begins, a chorus of “You’ll never love another lover quite like me, quite like me, quite like me.”
So begins Myles Tripp’s new single “Like Me.” Released on Valentine’s Day, the song is a defiant R&B anthem that recounts Tripp’s experience in a situationship of several years that was never meant to be. Tripp speaks directly to this lover, recalling the false assertions of commitment and characterizing their dynamic as “snakes in the garden, weeds in the yard.” And, after recognizing that this path would lead him nowhere, he makes peace with leaving, knowing his self worth and that “if you’re looking for the best, there’s no contest.”
“I had to realize how great I was, and this was my last love letter to tell them: ‘Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’re never going to find it. You’re trying to chase what if and I’m giving you what is,’” said Tripp.
A native of New Haven, Tripp has been singing professionally for over 15 years and is known for his exceptional vocal range—as exemplified in his surprise performance at College Street Music Hall during Netflix favorite Michelle Buteau’s comedy set. But even with his versatile voice, he doesn’t want people to be affected only by his riffs and runs in this song—he wants them to feel the story, to connect with it, and be encouraged to stand up for themselves, too.
“When people listen to this song, I want them to think: ‘I can walk away from this bozo for my Boaz,’ speaking biblically,” said Tripp. “I want to be able to live what I’m singing and preach it to everyone.”
Tripp lives by the age-old adage of “practice what you preach”—not only as an artist, but also as an ordained minister. Growing up in Pentecostal and non-denominational churches, Tripp draws from his experience of leading devotional services and performing in front of thousands of congregants. He also toured at a young age in churches along the East Coast, working with world-class guitarists, bass players, and other musicians.
“Although I’ve been singing since I could talk, I’ve been preaching since I could walk,” said Tripp. “I was doing devotional services at five years old. I was traveling up and down from New York to North Carolina. This was all a part of my training to craft me into the artist I am today.”
In each of his songs, from the catharsis of “Like Me” to the jubilance of his previous single “Groove,” Tripp brings a resounding authenticity to his audience. To him, a show is no different than a sermon. On stage, he calls in the audience with silence to build anticipation for the message, for the story he is about to tell through his music. And in every show, he treats everyone like they’re family, like they’re in conversation and communion with each other.
“The church is still a heavy influence in my presentation, and overall, in my ability to love,” said Tripp. “And I showcase that love through my music and performance.” To do that, to love freely and boldly, requires vulnerability for anyone. Even more so for a queer artist. But that vulnerability is exactly what Tripp brings to his fans, who he calls “The Tripplets.”
“It’s one thing to acknowledge the door of vulnerability,” said Tripp. “It’s another step of faith and courage to walk through that door and sit in the room of vulnerability. Even if I’m alone, even if I’m uncomfortable.”
For Tripp, “Like Me” is the most vulnerable he’s ever been in his own music. He not only shares that what he wanted, what once was, is no longer, but also offers an intimate snapshot of what it’s like to be human. To be free, to be queer, and to not be apologetic about it. And, most of all, what it’s like to heal.
“I had to realize that just because this—this relationship—isn’t working, doesn’t mean that I’m not working,” said Tripp. “I had to overcome what I was settling for and wait for what I deserve.”
On what’s next for Tripp, he recently submitted an audition for NPR’s “Tiny Desk” series and is hoping to perform on that global stage, as well as tour in several festivals over the summer. Join the Tripp—you can learn more and follow Myles on his journey on Instagram at @myles_tripp and YouTube at @mylestripp.