With more than 20 years of experience, Tresize hails from Cannons Creek, Victoria, Australia, where he learned the value of a hard day’s work growing up on his family’s farm. Stemming from his love of heartland country and later bands like Black Sabbath and AC/DC, he started as a self-taught vocalist and transformed into an artist dedicated to his craft.
Tresize didn’t begin playing music until he was 20 when his mother gave him his first guitar, which has been his friend in moments of solace ever since. A rooted family man, Tresize found truth and comfort in music while watching his family fight to keep their farm.
After fronting several local bands that developed a strong following, Tresize ventured to London, but stayed longer than he originally anticipated. He began playing regular gigs with a group of fellow travelers under the name ‘Skippy’s Nightmare,’ many of who returned to Melbourne and continued to play with Tresize for years.
From there, Tresize built a recording studio in a milking shed on his family farm, now aptly called, “The Shed.” The soundproofed studio provided Tresize the opportunity and means to explore his passion for songwriting and laying down his own tracks. Inspired by ‘man-of-the-land’ roots of southern rock, grunge, and 70s general with a twist of country rawness, Tresize’s debut album, Soul Casino, came to life.
A follow-up to his EP Miles ‘N’ Miles, Soul Casino was written by Turk Tresize and produced by Andrija Tokic (Bomb Shelter – Nashville, Alabama Shakes). The highly personal and original album infuses soundscapes that are southern rock-based with elements of rock, roots rock, blues, alternative country, and Americana tossed in for good measure. Although Tresize cites many musical and songwriting influences ranging from Chris Cornell to Hank Williams, Jr., he avoids being pigeonholed. He has truly created a sound that is pure ‘Turk.’
The first single off the record, “Miles ‘N’ Miles,” is a track that celebrates riding through the Australian outback, kicking back, and enjoying life. The song showcases Tresize’s remarkable ability to let his raw vocals do that talking in a simple yet catchy tune. The bluesy rock track and second single off the record, “Daddy Wazza Roller,” sets the tone for the album with its edgy sound, strong storytelling, and profound themes about the tumultuousness of life. Another highlight is the driving track, “West On Train,” which features guest-backing vocals from the lead singer of the Alabama Shakes, Brittany Howard. The lively rock song gives a warm look into Tresize’s promising future as an artist.
With Tresize’s raspy vocals that complement his organic arrangements and keen ear for composition, listeners are exposed to Tresize’s authentic, honest ability to tell stories through his songs. Tresize’s desire to connect and experience people’s reactions to something that was created from within him has allowed for a successful and highly personal relationship with listeners. Dubbed by his mates as ‘Church of Turk” due to his ability to heal troubled souls, Tresize’s nickname is truly reflected in his music, that is intended to provide healing in the midst of anguish.
A fun and honest, yet adventurous and unorthodox soul, Tresize’s natural ability to just “roll with it” and combined stellar work ethic have allowed him to defy genres and his own expectations. The ‘Church of Turk’ has the power to lift, heal, calm, and electrify and is an instant friend to those who are so lonely that can only relate to a good song.
Wasted
Turk Tresize Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I staggered around
I started to twist
I can't relate
Bagging 'em down
Feeling the town
Oh. Try to obey your self-control
Can't call this place home
Try to stand on your own
Yeah I tried like many
Couldn't drop the penny
I was road kill
It makes more sense
In a place like this
Thank Nashville
Well I banged it around
I was making a sound
Tryin' to seal some fate
All in all I settled myself
At the edge of the rock
Where confusion breaks
Don't be late
Oh. Try to obey your self-control
Can't call this place home
Try to stand on your own
Yeah I tried like many
Couldn't drop the penny
I was roadkill
Yeah it makes more sense
In a place like this
Thank Nashville
Yeah
Oh. Try to obey your self-control
Can't call this place home
Try to stand on your own
Yeah l tried like many
Couldn't drop the penny
I was road kill
Yea it makes more sense
In a place like this
Thank Nashville
Don't be late
Don't be late
In Turk Tresize's song 'Wasted', the lyrics to the song are very introspective and emotive, detailing the struggles of the artist as he tries to navigate his life in the music industry. Torn is one of the verses in the song, where he describes the feeling of being lost and disconnected from his surroundings. The verse starts with the singer staggering and twisting around, unable to relate to anything. He then describes "bagging 'em down," which could refer to the act of ignoring or disregarding something. The singer seems to be feeling overwhelmed as he takes in everything around him from a Super 8 motel.
The verse then shifts to the idea of self-control, with the singer reminding himself to obey it. He describes not being able to call this place home as he tries to stand on his own two feet. The idea of trying and failing is mentioned in the line: "Yeah, I tried like many, couldn't drop the penny, I was roadkill". This metaphorical line could be interpreted as the singer being unable to move forward and being stuck in the same place. The mention of Nashville in the verse could be referring to the music industry, as Nashville is a hub for country and western music.
The chorus of the song is repeated twice, with the singer again stressing the importance of self-control and standing on his own. He again mentions trying and failing, and the idea of being "roadkill" is repeated. The verse ends with the line "don't be late," which could potentially be referring to not missing opportunities.
Line by Line Meaning
Torn
The singer is describing their state of mind
I staggered around
The singer was unsteady and unstable
I started to twist
The singer was becoming confused and distorted in their thinking
I can't relate
The artist feels disconnected from others and their surroundings
Bagging 'em down
The artist is describing a sense of frustration and disappointment
Feeling the town
The singer is experiencing the atmosphere of the place around them
Taking it in from a Super 8
The singer is observing the town from the perspective of a cheap motel room
Oh. Try to obey your self-control
The artist is giving themselves advice about staying in control
Can't call this place home
The artist does not feel a sense of belonging in the place they are in
Try to stand on your own
The artist is trying to be independent of others
Yeah I tried like many
The singer attempted to succeed like others have in the past
Couldn't drop the penny
The artist was unable to make something happen
I was road kill
The singer feels defeated and unsuccessful
It makes more sense
The singer realizes something important
In a place like this
The realization applies to the town they are in
Thank Nashville
The artist is expressing gratitude towards the city
Well I banged it around
The artist has tried many different things
I was making a sound
The singer was attempting to create something meaningful
Tryin' to seal some fate
The singer was trying to make something happen that would change their future
All in all I settled myself
The artist has come to a conclusion about themselves
At the edge of the rock
The artist has reached a point of decision or realization
Where confusion breaks
The artist has found clarity
Don't be late
The singer is warning themselves not to miss an opportunity
Lyrics © ST MUSIC LLC.
Written by: SHANE MICHAEL TRESIZE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind