“I’ve been sitting watching life pass from the sidelines”

is the refrain that Jonathan Rhys Meyers emotionally sings in Chris Trapper’s song “This Time” during the Oscar-nominated movie August Rush. A classic Trapper song, it taps deep into one’s emotions and is timeless without a demographic. And this time, it’s Grammy worthy.

Buffalo native Chris Trapper has been on the music scene for 13 years, starting as principal singer/songwriter for the alternative pop rock trio The Push Stars. Now his solo career is taking off, making him a featured songwriter for movies and television shows. While he is still somewhat involved with the band, his transition to a solo career has been a huge success. Always aware of art before business, Trapper was rewarded with this Grammy nod for a song that is extremely personal and portrays his mix of emotions during his move into the solo scene. 

Since 2002, Trapper has penned six solo albums, each with a distinct energy and feel. Most recent is Til the Last Leaf Falls, a blend of pop rock, blues, soul and 1950s rhythm, a homage to his inspirations: Sam Cooke, Paul Simon, Fats Domino and The Replacements. While he primarily uses acoustic guitar to create his songs, Trapper wrote four tracks for this album on piano, his newest musical addiction. He laughs, “I play it a little differently – I only use the white keys.” His personal favorite on the album is the ballad “Look What the Wind Blew In” which according to Trapper, “captures extreme loneliness but takes solace in it instead of reveling in it.” 

This extreme loneliness may have been the reason he started writing songs in the first place. Afflicted with a stutter, Trapper found himself an outcast in school and an easy target for bullies. He was desperate to get complete thoughts out in a comprehensive manner and found his release by creating music, a way to express himself with confidence and without a stutter.