Justin Tranter
Encyclopedia
Justin Tranter is an American musician
and jewelry designer. He is most famous as the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons
, a New York "garage glam" rock band. His jewelry line, Fetty, is sold in major stores like Barneys New York
, Urban Outfitters
and Hot Topic
.
. He studied music at the Chicago Academy for the Arts from 1994-98.
After graduation from high school Tranter moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music
. Along with songwriting, he also took classes in business management, in preparation for a career in music. Tranter graduated from Berklee in three years, with a GPA of 3.9 and a degree in songwriting. While at Berklee, Justin founded Musicians With a Mission, a scholarship fund for LGBT youth education.
In 2003, Justin won an Outmusic Award for the song "Blend In," co-written with Stephanie Delk
, from "Scratched."
Tranter began his music career on the Lower East Side of New York City's underground club circuit which is where he met aspiriring Rock/Pop Performance Artist Stefani Germanotta, who is better known as Lady Gaga
.
In 2004, Tranter joined forces with fellow Berklee graduates, Neal Persiani (stage name Cole Whittle) and Dan Crean, and Aaron Lee Tasjan (who has since been replaced by Stevy Pyne) to form Semi Precious Weapons
. He and Semi Precious Weapons opened for Lady GaGa on her Monster Ball from 11/09-5/11.
and karmaloop.com, as well as NYC boutique Alter. His signature line, Fetty, is sold exclusively through Barneys New York and consists mainly of 14K gold and sterling silver encrusted with Braille words in diamonds. His jewelry has captured the attention of supermodel Kate Moss
and the United Kingdom's Princess Beatrice of York
.
Branching out of jewellery, Tranter has also shared his design talents with Donna Karan. In 2008, he designed a limited-edition sneaker for DKNY.
cable network show Chelsea Lately
in October, 2008. In December 2008, he also appeared as a coach on the MTV
reality show MADE
in which he helped a young girl transform into a "rock star". Tranter appears in the diner in the music video for Telephone
by Lady Gaga
.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and jewelry designer. He is most famous as the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons
Semi Precious Weapons
Semi Precious Weapons is a rock band from New York City consisting of Justin Tranter on vocals, Stevy Pyne on guitar, Cole Whittle on bass and Dan Crean on drums. Pyne replaced former guitarist, Aaron Lee Tasjan, in November 2008...
, a New York "garage glam" rock band. His jewelry line, Fetty, is sold in major stores like Barneys New York
Barneys New York
Barneys New York is a chain of luxury department stores headquartered in New York City. The chain owns large stores in New York City, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Scottsdale, and smaller stores in other locations across the United States.Brands sold include...
, Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters, Inc. is a publicly traded American company that owns and operates five retail brands: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN....
and Hot Topic
Hot Topic
Hot Topic is an American retail chain specializing in music and pop culture-related clothing and accessories, as well as licensed music on CD. The majority of the stores are located in regional shopping malls. The first Hot Topic store was opened in 1988 by Orv Madden, who retired as CEO in 2000...
.
Early years
Justin Tranter and his three older brothers were raised by his parents in Lake Zurich, IllinoisLake Zurich, Illinois
Lake Zurich is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States, a suburb of Chicago. The population was 18,104 at the 2000 census. A 2003 special census put the village's population at 19,005....
. He studied music at the Chicago Academy for the Arts from 1994-98.
After graduation from high school Tranter moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
. Along with songwriting, he also took classes in business management, in preparation for a career in music. Tranter graduated from Berklee in three years, with a GPA of 3.9 and a degree in songwriting. While at Berklee, Justin founded Musicians With a Mission, a scholarship fund for LGBT youth education.
In 2003, Justin won an Outmusic Award for the song "Blend In," co-written with Stephanie Delk
Stephanie Delk
Stephanie Delk is a singer-songwiter, published poet, and theater arts professional living in Austin, Texas.-Music:*EP "Burning Bright," released in 2008 -Awards:...
, from "Scratched."
Tranter began his music career on the Lower East Side of New York City's underground club circuit which is where he met aspiriring Rock/Pop Performance Artist Stefani Germanotta, who is better known as Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
.
Music career
Tranter recorded his first album, Scratched, while still at Berklee. After graduation Tranter moved to New York where he put together his first band as the house band for an off-broadway show called Rockstars NYC. The show closed after 3 weeks and Tranter went on to record his second album, Tear Me Together.In 2004, Tranter joined forces with fellow Berklee graduates, Neal Persiani (stage name Cole Whittle) and Dan Crean, and Aaron Lee Tasjan (who has since been replaced by Stevy Pyne) to form Semi Precious Weapons
Semi Precious Weapons
Semi Precious Weapons is a rock band from New York City consisting of Justin Tranter on vocals, Stevy Pyne on guitar, Cole Whittle on bass and Dan Crean on drums. Pyne replaced former guitarist, Aaron Lee Tasjan, in November 2008...
. He and Semi Precious Weapons opened for Lady GaGa on her Monster Ball from 11/09-5/11.
Design career
Jewelry was a natural outlet for Tranter’s creative talent as experience with his mother’s jewelry business led him to his early day job in a jewelry store after he moved to New York. Tranter’s jewelry company, Fetty, grew out of necklaces he designed to sell as merchandise for the Semi Precious Weapons shows. These rock-and-roll inspired pieces consist mostly of heart and weapon themed charm necklaces and earrings. These pieces caught the eye of buyers of retail chains Urban Outfitters, Hot Topic; selling more than 100,000 pieces with the proceeds funding the self-release of the Semi Precious Weapons album “You Love You”. Fetty has evolved into a three-tiered line (Fetty, Semi Precious Weapons and Fame) available at Barneys New York, Urban Outfitters, Fred SegalFred Segal
Fred Segal is an upscale Los Angeles, California based clothing retailer. There are currently two Fred Segal stores: one in Hollywood and the other in Santa Monica....
and karmaloop.com, as well as NYC boutique Alter. His signature line, Fetty, is sold exclusively through Barneys New York and consists mainly of 14K gold and sterling silver encrusted with Braille words in diamonds. His jewelry has captured the attention of supermodel Kate Moss
Kate Moss
Kate Moss is an English model. Moss is known for her waifish figure and popularising the heroin chic look in the 1990s. She is also known for her controversial private life, high profile relationships, party lifestyle, and drug use. Moss changed the look of modelling and started a global debate on...
and the United Kingdom's Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Beatrice of York is the elder daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York...
.
Branching out of jewellery, Tranter has also shared his design talents with Donna Karan. In 2008, he designed a limited-edition sneaker for DKNY.
Television appearances
Tranter appeared as a guest on the E!E!
E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
cable network show Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately
Chelsea Lately is an American late night comedy talk show hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler on E!. The show debuted on July 16, 2007, and is produced by Handler's production company, Borderline Amazing Productions...
in October, 2008. In December 2008, he also appeared as a coach on the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
reality show MADE
Made (TV series)
MTV's MADE is a self-improvement reality television series broadcast on MTV. The series follows teens who have a goal and want to be "made" into things like singers, athletes, dancers, skateboarders, etc. The teens are joined by a "Made Coach", an expert in their chosen field, who tries to help...
in which he helped a young girl transform into a "rock star". Tranter appears in the diner in the music video for Telephone
Telephone (song)
"Telephone" is a song written and performed by Lady Gaga. It was released from her third extended play and second major release The Fame Monster . The song, featuring American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, was written by Gaga and Rodney Jerkins...
by Lady Gaga
Lady GaGa
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta , better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in New York City, she primarily studied at the Convent of the Sacred Heart and briefly attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts before withdrawing to...
.