Student Snapshot: X Factor Latvia

10 August 2021

Student Snapshot

Troy Alfred is a medical student from Sri Lanka who moved to Latvia in 2016. He is about to start his 11th semester at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) this autumn.

When did you start playing music?

I've been interested in the guitar since a young age. I remember buying an old guitar when I was 12 just because it looked good, but I never learned to play it properly. I had a guitar teacher when I was young who only showed me what he knew. He did it more to show off than to educate me, which wasn't very inspirational! It was only when I came to Riga that I decided to give it another go and see if I could learn better this time.

Tell me about how you started playing in Riga.

When I first started studying at RSU, I was very shy and anxious, but I wanted to do something to challenge myself and come out of my shell.

I bought my first guitar in Riga and started learning by watching videos on Youtube. My first gig was with the RSU Asian Society (ASOC). I played there for a while but got more opportunities eventually like playing at the RSU Talent Show. I participated together with my roommate Eugene and had written the song myself. We ended up winning third place!

It was very inspiring to experience that, because it was the first time I had written my own song. This gave me a lot of confidence and I started busking in Riga with Kevin, another friend of mine. We would usually draw a crowd, even if it was cold outside, because we're international and stood out in the Old Town. We liked to play near someone who was begging and then ask our audience to give money to them. At other times we would team up with other street musicians and play together. This was in 2018.

Who do you play with?

There are so many characters who have come into my life to help me along, like Eugene. He showed me how to work with music, play chords and inspired me to start writing songs myself. Then I met Kevin who inspired me to start busking. I eventually got up the courage to participate in Latvian X Factor in 2019! I stood out on the show because I was the only Sri Lankan there.

Tell me about X Factor Latvia!

I auditioned for X Factor on my own. I was surprised to see how open they were. I thought it would be very weird for me to come in as a foreigner and play on a foreign stage, but everyone spoke English and were so nice to me. I got 4 yeses! I kept coming back to auditions and even got up to the semi-finals!

What music did you play on X Factor?

I played an original song for the pre-auditions, and another original song for the live auditions. Most of my songs were inspired by interesting relationships that I've had in Riga. Surprisingly, they let me play my own song at the live auditions. Usually they tell participants to play a cover song.

When I had gotten this far I decided to go back to Sri Lanka, however, because I hadn't been home in 1,5 years and if I had gone further in the competition it would have taken more time. I chose to meet my little brother and family over progressing in X Factor. There were so many other singers who were talented!

I think I left on a high note, so overall it was a great experience. After this I was known as the X Factor guy.

Did you keep playing or did you feel you had achieved what you started out to do?

I still didn't feel too confident in my voice but I was challenging myself every day! A lot of doors opened up and I played at more events, like the German Student Association (DSiA) concert. They were very supportive and I met a band called Valerie here (a German band at RSU). Till is the lead singer of the band and he later became the vice-president of The Debates and Conversations Group we started together. Till and I even have our own song on Spotify now called “Strange”!

The most recent concert I played was one I organised myself. It was called Troy McKenzie & the Dead Visions and it was a tribute concert to the COVID-19 mink crisis in Denmark. Troy McKenzie is my stage name.

What's next for you musically? Do you still play?

I've invested in an electric guitar and a tube amp. It felt unreal because it was my first electric setup. The new equipment helps me perfect the songs I've written for my old acoustic guitar.

I still play, but sometimes it's difficult to find the time to get into a creative headspace as often as I'd like. I play when I can and when I want to express my thoughts. Eventually I want to find the time to record my songs and just to keep them as a treasured memory for myself. Right now, I'm focused on improving my vocal abilities and learning more theory on the guitar.