There is no shortage of creatives at UW-Milwaukee. After graduation, hundreds of students walk into the world of the arts to forge a path for themselves. Two musicians and former UWM students recently released music. Take a look at their path from student to musician below.
James Tristan Redding
James Tristen Redding was on track to graduate with a double major at UW-Milwaukee when he decided to have a non-traditional senior year. Instead of focusing on his capstone project, he decided to go on tour. Despite the setback, he graduated in 2005 with a B.S. in Psychology then soon after headed off to the big apple to pursue his dreams of being a musician and songwriter.
Redding worked as a musician without a back up plan– creating, practicing and performing solo music for a decade before forming a band and touring across the country for another decade. During those 20 years, he had written about 100 songs.
“I started writing songs without words because I wasn’t sure I could sing,” said Redding.
“It was shockingly difficult to find anyone else brave enough to sing. So I did it anyway.”
In 2015 Redding started a journey through sobriety. During that time he started a digital initiative for songwriters called “Song A Week.” The premise is simple in theory but challenging in execution–create a song each week. The time restrictions mean that no one can over think the process, and according to the website creates “a nurturing environment without worrying about making a mediocre song.” Since Song A Week was created in 2016 they have received over 6,000 songs from nearly 300 artists in 30 states across the USA and 22 countries around the world. Redding’s own writing has blossomed in the practice– he now has written nearly 700 songs.
“The process has become much faster, the idea of inspiration feels less ambiguous and less fleeting,” said Redding. “I’m far more active and engaged with my own creativity.”
Reddings most recent album, “Look Out World” was released on February 17. Each song on the album was created during his “Song A Week” practice, written over the last handful of years. The album was put together during a tumultuous time in Reddings life. He faced a move to Nashville, lyme disease, Covid-19, salmonella, a messy breakup and other challenges all while putting together his latest release.
“I also had my first panic attack, went through a messy breakup, started therapy, all kinds of fun things,” said Redding. “I just turned 40 but I was a late bloomer, so I guess maybe I’m facing some of the things now that a lot of other people experienced a decade or two earlier.”
“Look Out World” fits nicely into the singer-songwriter haven of Nashville, Tennessee. However, don’t go into this album with the expectation of another country release– Redding claims it is “possibly the least Nashville-sounding album of 2023.”
“First of all this album was written alone,” explains Redding. “That is not Nashville. At least, not the new Nashville. My new record has long songs, that is off limits for the Nashville hit machine. There’s also no drums on the album, which has drawn a negative reaction from some critics — but to me, it fits the songs perfectly. And finally, it’s just not country.”
“Look Out World” is now available to stream on Spotify and Apple Music. Physical copies can be purchased on Bandcamp, Amazon and Vinyl Exclusives.
Edward III
Russell Anderson started releasing music and art after graduating from UW-Milwaukee in fall of 2020. Anderson was a Design and Visual Communication student, and wanted to find a way to weave his visual art into his music. After a period of creating, he started to formally produce and market his music under the moniker Edward III.
His music, which he describes as “punk rock meets bass music,” creates an electronically-leaning ambiance through the sparse but strategic use of tools like synthesizers and keyboards. Tonal changes throughout each of his songs, but especially in songs like “Alone,” creates a light and refined atmosphere that would work just as well in a work out playlist as it would in a club. Only in his latest single, “So Few Things” do we hear Anderson’s vocals, backed by a more full and grounded track.
With the release of “So Few Things” in early January, Anderson is tracking what kind of sound is drawing attention, and pursuing different marketing avenues to see what will work best.
“I come from an edm production background,” said Anderson. “The more I fuse pop/dance/rock music together the clearer a lane gets defined. Plus it’s interesting pitching your song to people and seeing who will play it.”
The name, which is not a tie to Edward III, king of England, was thought up by his brother as a fun way to represent Anderson’s full name, Russell Edward Anderson III. His brother Brian, while not a part of the music development, plays a role behind the scene in bringing Edward III to the public.
Recently, his single was picked up and played by 88.9 Radio Milwaukee.
Right now, Edward III does not have any performances lined up, but they are hoping for some summer dates at venues across the city. “Milwaukee really does have a great culture that supports independent music,” said Anderson.
You can check out Edward III on Spotify.