Trip-tastic Times with Tripmonk

The New Paltz Oracle

November 5, 2009

By Jennifer Von Willer

Music has the unique ability to channel and challenge some people, but it’s easy to distinguish the essence of a real band when listening to their engaging, heartfelt words of music appreciation. Surrounded by plenty of artsy images including Asian-inspired wall canvases and visible equipment including an Akai APC40 MIDI controller, an electric guitar and boisterous speakers, I figured I was prepared to enjoy the uncanny witticisms of two musically talented members of Tripmonk, a trance-jam band founded in the heart of New Paltz. Although Tripmonk’s bassist Tim Ginley was absent, I met with guitarist Derek Hislop and drummer Harrison Waxenberg to discuss music’s gift of bringing people together and to gain a better understanding of the creative odyssey that is Tripmonk.

With dual experience playing several instruments throughout most of their lives, Hislop and Waxenberg credit their jamming sounds to an array of many dynamic influences, stemming from progressive jazz, Lotus, Disco Biscuits, Unfreeze McGee along with legendary greats like Luther Vandross and James Brown.

They are energetic and fruitful as their song “Apricot Trot” proves. Tripmonk is only two years old, but their successful reputation has only expanded since winning first place at SUNY New Paltz’s Battle of the Bands in fall 2008. You can ride along the Tripmonk wave by going to their Saturday night gigs at Snugs, a local bar in New Paltz Village or for the under-21 crowd, Tripmonk usually performs on weekends at the nearby Cabaloosa’s. The band has already packed local New Paltz venues with acts like Maui Waui and the Good Vibrations, Mother’s Borsch, Roy Hobbs Agenda, No Presha and Timbre Coupe. When school’s out, they remain close to their roots by heading home to Long Island to perform and reunite with dedicated “Tripmonkeys.”

The band’s name origin remains a mystery, however Waxenberg and Hislop offered some insight.

“I think it was always kind of made up and we just channeled it,” Waxenberg said.

“Yeah, I think the mere name was already floating and when we came together and played, the music grasped it,” said Hislop.

After a swarm of emo music plagued Long Island, most teenagers, including myself and Waxenberg, grew out of the genre by the time college started.

“When I first came here and saw Lotus live, everything changed,” he said.

Both Hislop and Waxenberg have played in numerous bands, and have dedicated an innumerable amount of time practicing with different instruments. Besides playing the guitar for five years, Hislop was in a band prior to Tripmonk, which was a Sublime, 311 and Incubus cover band called Incognito.

“I was always that desk-tapping kid all throughout elementary and middle school,” said Hislop, even though he plays a 91 Fender strat guitar.

Waxenberg hopes to turn his bedroom into a recording studio, as he shows off his “baby” and birthday present, an Akai APC40 MIDI controller that allows him to freely mix and produce any sound he wants out of nearly nothing.

“I started playing music when I was about four, but I’ve been playing drums for at least 10 years,” he said.

Even with their busy schedules, both members insist that Tripmonk is never without thought. Their shared love for music keeps them grounded, and practice is always time well spent. Waxenberg and Hislop admit they want to practice more, and enjoy jamming before a Tripmonk show as preparation for their anxious crowd.

Hislop credits the birth of Tripmonk to all of its good music experiences during their first year at SUNY New Paltz, especially hanging out in Bouton Hall. The two couldn’t forget to mention an additional great influence and best friend Luke O’Malley, who resides in Rhode Island.

“Without O’Malley, I probably wouldn’t have met Derek,” Waxenberg said.
“We will be bringing in some new artists next semester. I can’t say any names right now, but there are some good things in the works, possibly a festival,” Waxenberg said about collaborating with new musicians and refining Tripmonk’s future.

“You’ll get a really great experience at Snugs. [It’s] homey,” Hislop said, and once again Waxenberg and Hislop said “homey” in unison, as if they truly share the same mindful experiences.
With promises to keep elaborate tricks up their sleeves and devising a recording studio, it seems Tripmonk isn’t going to die out soon. These guys are comical, but don’t let that fool you, they are entirely serious about maintaining and constantly revamping Tripmonk’s artistic style.
“Music is the best thing in the world. If you have the ability to create it, or aid it in spreading in any way,” Waxenberg said.
“It’s basically an unspoken obligation to do so,” Hislop said.

If you’re still not convinced that Tripmonk is a crowd pleaser or worth your time, and if you’re still wondering if this is just another local New Paltz band, then check out their show at Snugs on Nov. 14. Also check out more from their Myspace music page to listen to any of their songs like “Top Gun” and “Apricot Trot” which has a Salt-n-Pepa teaser (both guys give influential props to them as well), and follow them for an exciting time as a self-proclaimed “Tripmonkey.”

This article can be found in “The Gunk” section on page 3B Features in The New Paltz Oracle Volume 81, Issue VIII.