Today we’d like to introduce you to Tripp’n, a teen rock trio comprised of Amelia Williams, Bennett Reed and Tripp Wilkinson.
Tripp’n, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Our story is deeply rooted in our shared passion for music and the connections we’ve built through it.
Bennett started playing guitar at eight years old at School of Rock in Doylestown, PA. Over the next couple of years, he picked up bass guitar and realized music was “his thing.” When his family moved to California, he continued his music journey at School of Rock and focused heavily on bass, even attending Orange County School of the Arts for it. During the pandemic, he taught himself drums using an electric drum set. When he moved to Georgia, he started drum lessons at School of Rock Johns Creek, and for the past two and a half years, drums have become his main focus and passion.
Music has always been a part of Amelia’s life, thanks to her parents’ wide-ranging tastes. She started playing violin at four, but a few years ago, she decided to try something new and asked for an electric bass. She started lessons at School of Rock Atlanta, where the bass just clicked for her. Within a few months, she joined Atlanta’s Houseband. That’s where she met Bennett and Tripp, as the Atlanta and Johns Creek Housebands often played events together.
Tripp’s interest in music began when he was three, inspired by artists like Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson. At seven, he joined School of Rock Johns Creek, gradually picking up vocals, bass, and guitar. By twelve, he committed fully to music and began playing gigs with their audition-only Houseband. At fourteen, he achieved a major milestone by earning a spot in the School of Rock Allstars program, touring California with top students from around the world. Around this time, he decided to form a band outside of School of Rock, reaching out to Bennett and Amelia, whom he had met through School of Rock gigs. They officially formed Tripp’n in August 2024, and since then, they have played incredible gigs, won Milton’s Got Talent, and are excited for what 2025 holds for them.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any journey, Tripp’n has faced its share of challenges, both individually and as a band.
Bennett experienced several major transitions, starting with moving from Pennsylvania to California just three weeks before the Covid pandemic began. It was difficult being the new kid in a new place during such an isolating time, but he quickly made friends and even attended Orange County School of the Arts to focus on bass. However, the toughest challenge came when his family moved again, this time to Georgia for his dad’s job. Leaving his school and friends behind was hard, but he’s now found his place in Georgia and is thrilled to be part of Tripp’n.
Amelia struggled with extreme shyness growing up, to the point where public speaking was terrifying for her. Discovering music and performing helped her gain confidence. She found freedom in using songs and lyrics to express herself without needing to come up with her own words, and having bandmates she trusts has made performing an even more positive experience.
Tripp has found the band’s young age to be a significant challenge, especially when it comes to gaining credibility and trust. Convincing venues and booking agents to take a chance on musicians under eighteen can be tough, but the band is grateful to those who have believed in them, especially their families, who have been instrumental in helping them secure gigs and grow as a group. They also thank VoyageATL for taking a chance on them.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Tripp’n has been together playing covers of popular American rock songs for about 5 months. The band covers all kinds of rock, such as grunge, classic rock, and alternative rock. So far, they have played at MadLife’s main, indoor stage, the Decatur Barbecue and Bands Festival, which had an audience of more than 1,000 people, the West Ponce Music Stroll, and several holiday events, such as Christmas in Crabapple and the Virginia Highlands Winterfest. Most importantly, the band won Season 5 of Milton’s Got Talent, which enabled them to participate in the Christmas in Crabapple celebration. Tripp’n is also scheduled to play at Tucker Brewing Company on March 8th, Roswell Junction on March 21st, and on the MadLife patio on May 3rd, and they will be playing three hour sets at all of these upcoming gigs. They are very eager to keep playing at new events and venues.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Tripp’n shares a love for music and creativity, which is reflected in their favorite books, apps, and podcasts.
Bennett is a big fan of TikTok, where he follows musicians and keeps up with sports news. He also enjoys watching Rick Beato’s interviews on YouTube, as they provide fascinating insights from musicians and producers.
Amelia has a passion for curating music. She creates monthly playlists of songs she finds interesting and even has a “trial playlist” to decide which songs make the cut. On the reading front, she loves The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin for its imaginative take on the unknown and the possibilities of worlds beyond our own.
Tripp relies on Spotify for daily music discovery and inspiration, while the Reverb app is his go-to for browsing used music equipment. In terms of books, The Catcher in the Rye left a lasting impression on him and remains one of his favorites. Like Bennett, he enjoys watching Rick Beato’s interviews and content on YouTube to learn about the lives of various musicians and producers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trippnatl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trippnatl/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565388455354
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trippnatl
- Other: https://linktr.ee/trippnatl
