ENDIE'S 'TRIPWIRE': A MIRROR OF GROWTH, PAIN, AND SOUND DESIGN

Many artists chase a sound, few choose to sculpt sounds like an architect. Lafayette, Louisiana, artist Endie released his project “Tripwire” this past June, taking fans by storm with its relatable lines, infectious hooks, and especially its unique sound. The album’s darker tone reflects a fresh sound for Endie and is symbolic of the place he was in while making the album. It allows listeners to see his range as an artist.

Endie grew up in a small town in southern Louisiana that was very rural with virtually nothing for miles. “Life was super dead back home,” he says. “Like one Walmart and like four fast food places”. Now located in Lafayette, Louisiana, his artistry has matured with him as he has gained real experiences. He began in 2018, making mostly freestyles, and when he would write, it was not from his own experiences “I would say back then I was writing from other people around me’s experiences, cause I didn't have my own”. Since then, Endie has explored many different sounds and has found a “healthy middle ground” in his lyricism, using his experiences while making them easy for other people from different walks of life to relate to.

Before making his way as an artist, Endie spent most of his nights on Discord with his friends, playing Brawlhalla without much direction. “I’ve been releasing stuff for about five years now, which is crazy to think about,” he says. Music wasn’t always the goal, as he once pictured himself in law school before finding his passion. “I was heavily considering law school prior to making music, but I wouldn’t trade this for the world.” His brother, who made music under the name SevenHeavens, was the first person to believe in him and pushed him to take music more seriously. Growing up in a family surrounded by music support came close to home.

Endie’s talent allows him to tap into so many different genres of music, for instance on his track “Help me” he shows his vocal range and alternative rockish sound, on his beloved track “Love like that” is an indie love song that resonates with listeners, and most recently on “Tripwire” which is a darker and heavier than anything he has released. When asked about this, he said, “They were all different parts of me hitting puberty lol.” Endie’s music has grown with him; listeners get to watch him develop his own unique experiences, sharpen his pen game, and morph his sound.

When it comes to creating, Endie describes his ear as two different versions. “I like to think I have two versions of my ear, a super creative side, and then a very normal listener’s ear,” he explains. This duality of ear is a gift and a curse, as he has a hard time blending the two. “I try my absolute hardest to blend the two, but sometimes it’s just not possible,” The difference between the two highlights his sound and shows how important his creation is as some songs are instantly catchy while some songs take a few listens to sink in, but that's exactly how it's meant to be “I think I have very palatable songs and then some not as palatable” he added. That versatility of sound gives his music its edge, making it experimental without feeling forced, and demonstrates that balance between the two that defines his music.

Tripwire features some of Endie’s most emotional and personal writing on tracks like “your problem dog”, “buy back time”, and “when I’m home” that carry themes of reflection, regret, and growth. The album focuses heavily on time, as Endie wrestles with its effect on him and everyone around him. We see lingering heartache (let you know), purpose slipping through a cycle (don’t feel it), and fleeting moments of peace that pass as quickly as they come (what's feeling important). At its core Endie’s Tripwire is a look in the mirror, a look at himself and the effects of his own experiences and choices that have shaped him. The result is his most personal body of work to date and a story of growth that anyone can relate to.

When asked about what makes the album so special, Endie didn't hold back. “Dude, honest to god I cried about a million times making Tripwire,” he admits. He also stressed the weight and emotional density of every song by adding “That whole album is like the exploding point of my frustration and not feeling good enough for literally anything ever. The hatred and love I have for that album is unmatched to anything else in my life.” Tripwire became a reflection of everything he’d bottled up for years. It’s a record about pushing through those moments of self-doubt and growing into something better. After Endie’s five years of growing comes full circle on this album, it still feels like he’s just getting started.