Justin Tranter

Justin Tranter
Justin Tranter in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Justin Tranter
Born	(1980-06-16) June 16, 1980
Origin	Lake Zurich, Illinois, United States
Genres	Pop, dance, glam rock
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Razor & Tie, Interscope, Geffen, Cherrytree, Epic
Associated acts	Semi Precious Weapons
Website	Official site

Justin Tranter (June 16, 1980) is an American musician, songwriter and designer. He is the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons, a New York rock band.

Early years

Justin Tranter and his three older brothers were raised by his parents in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He studied music at the Chicago Academy for the Arts from 1994–98. While at the Chicago Academy for the Arts, he started an annual AIDS Benefit^[1]

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.^[2]

In 2003, Justin won an Outmusic Award for the song "Blend In," co-written with Stephanie Delk, from "Scratched."^[3]

Tranter began his music career on the Lower East Side of New York City's underground club circuit.

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fellow Berklee graduates, Neal Persiani (stage name Cole Whittle) and Dan Crean, and Aaron Lee Tasjan (who has since been replaced by Stevy Pyne) to form Semi Precious Weapons. He and Semi Precious Weapons opened for Lady Gaga on her Monster Ball from 11/09-5/11.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 2012, Tranter signed a new publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music to write songs for other artists.

• "Nostalgic" (Kelly Clarkson, 2015)
• "Like Mariah" (Fifth Harmony, 2015)
• "Run" (Nicole Scherzinger, 2014)
• "Cen†uries" (Fall Out Boy, 2014)
• "Please Don't Stay" (Breathe Carolina, 2014)
• "Mistakes" (Breathe Carolina, 2014)

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.^[4] These rock-and-roll inspired pieces consist mostly of heart and weapon themed charm necklaces and earrings.

In 2008, he designed a limited-edition sneaker for DKNY.^[5]

Television appearances

Tranter has appeared as a guest on the E! cable network show Chelsea Lately.^[6] 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".^[7] Tranter appears in the diner in the music video for Telephone by Lady Gaga.^[8]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Justin Tranter.