Trace Cyrus: Music Career, Metro Station, Family & Life

Introduction to Trace Cyrus

Trace Cyrus is an American musician, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who became widely recognized through his work in the pop-rock group Metro Station. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, he developed an interest in music while growing up around professional performers. Although his family name attracted public attention, he worked to establish an identity based on his own musical interests and creative choices. His career has included band success, independent releases, collaborations, fashion projects, and periods of reinvention. His story remains connected to both the Cyrus family and the alternative-pop scene that shaped his early professional years.

Early Life and Childhood

Trace Cyrus was born on February 24, 1989, in Ashland, Kentucky. His early life became closely connected with music after his mother, Tish Cyrus, married country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. Billy Ray later adopted him, and his name was legally changed to Trace Dempsey Cyrus. Growing up around a touring musician gave him an unusual introduction to the entertainment industry. He spent parts of his childhood experiencing live performances and the demanding lifestyle associated with professional music. These early experiences helped shape his interest in becoming a musician rather than simply being known as part of a famous family.

Family Background and Famous Relatives

Trace Cyrus became part of a highly recognizable entertainment family that includes several performers. His half-sister Miley Cyrus developed into an internationally successful singer and actress, while younger sister Noah Cyrus also pursued music. His adopted father, Billy Ray Cyrus, has enjoyed a long career in country music and entertainment. The family’s visibility meant that Trace received public attention from an early stage. However, interviews and profiles have repeatedly emphasized his desire to build his own musical reputation. His family background opened doors to the industry, but his band work gave him a separate artistic identity.

Trace Cyrus and His Musical Influences

Trace Cyrus developed an interest in styles that differed from the traditional country sound associated with his adoptive father. His musical direction moved toward alternative rock, pop-rock, emo, and electronic-influenced music. These genres became important elements of his identity as a performer. Rather than copying the style of his family members, he gravitated toward the energetic youth-oriented sound that was becoming popular during the mid-2000s. His approach combined guitar-driven rock with catchy melodies and electronic production, eventually creating the foundation for Metro Station. That blend helped distinguish his work from the country and mainstream pop surrounding his family.

Education and Decision to Pursue Music

During his teenage years, Trace attended La Cañada High School in California but eventually left school before graduating. Around the same period, he began working at a shopping mall in Burbank while exploring opportunities in music. His decision demonstrated that he was determined to pursue a creative career even before achieving commercial recognition. Instead of waiting for a guaranteed opportunity, he began developing connections with other young musicians. This period eventually led to the creation of Metro Station, transforming his musical ambitions into a professional career.

Formation of Metro Station

Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso formed Metro Station in Los Angeles in 2006. Their connection came through the set of Hannah Montana, where their siblings were involved with the Disney Channel production. The two musicians discovered shared musical interests and began writing songs together. Blake Healy and Anthony Improgo later joined the lineup, helping establish the band’s recognizable sound. The group initially built attention through online music platforms, particularly MySpace, before attracting interest from Columbia Records. Their rapid development reflected the changing music industry, where emerging bands could use internet communities to gain exposure before securing traditional record deals.

Metro Station’s Early Breakthrough

Metro Station released its debut EP, The Questions We Ask at Night, independently in 2006. The project helped the group build an online following and attract industry attention. Their internet presence eventually contributed to a record deal with Columbia Records and RED Ink Records. The band’s self-titled debut album followed in 2007 and introduced its energetic combination of pop-rock, electronic textures, and youthful songwriting. The album performed strongly enough to reach No. 39 on the Billboard 200, establishing the group as a notable act within the late-2000s alternative-pop movement.

Trace Cyrus and “Shake It”

The defining commercial moment of Metro Station came with “Shake It,” a highly infectious single that became a major radio success. The song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the band gain international recognition. Its catchy chorus, electronic production, and pop-rock energy made it one of the memorable crossover songs of the era. The success also placed the group under intense public attention. For Trace, the achievement demonstrated that he could compete within the music business on the strength of a band project rather than depending entirely on his family’s celebrity.

Trace Cyrus and Metro Station Fame

The success of Metro Station brought Trace Cyrus a new level of recognition among younger music audiences. His distinctive tattoos, alternative fashion, long hair, and energetic stage presence became part of his public image. The band appealed to listeners who enjoyed the combination of rock attitude and electronic pop production. Media coverage frequently mentioned his family connections, but he repeatedly emphasized that Metro Station’s music should stand independently. His career during this period became an example of how a performer from a famous family could attempt to create a separate identity through a different musical genre and audience.

Collaboration With Miley Cyrus

Trace Cyrus and Miley Cyrus also shared musical interests. In 2008, he appeared with Miley on the song “Hovering,” included on a deluxe edition of her album Breakout. Their collaboration gave fans an opportunity to see two members of the Cyrus family working together professionally. Despite their different musical styles, both siblings developed careers that involved songwriting, recording, and live performance. Trace has also discussed wanting his own accomplishments to stand on their own. His collaborations with family members therefore became interesting moments within a broader career focused on developing an independent artistic identity.

Departure From Metro Station

Trace Cyrus left Metro Station in 2010 after the band’s first major period of success. The departure marked an important transition because he wanted to explore other creative directions. Rather than ending his music career, he began developing a new project that would give him greater control over songwriting and recording. His experience with Metro Station had already provided valuable knowledge about touring, production, recording, and the commercial music industry. The next phase allowed him to experiment with ideas that did not necessarily fit the band’s established sound or expectations.

Ashland HIGH and New Musical Direction

After leaving Metro Station, Trace Cyrus formed Ashland HIGH and continued performing as a vocalist and guitarist. The project allowed him to move toward a more personal and independent style. He recorded music from his home and released material through the internet, reflecting the growing importance of independent distribution. The project produced releases including Geronimo and Drugstore Cowboy. Although Ashland HIGH did not reach the commercial level of Metro Station, it represented an important creative period. It showed his willingness to continue making music even without the major-label platform that had supported his earlier success.

Trace Cyrus Returns to Metro Station

Trace Cyrus returned to Metro Station in 2014, rejoining the group for another chapter. The band released the EP Gold and later the album Savior in 2015. The reunion gave longtime listeners an opportunity to hear the group’s familiar sound again while introducing newer material. Metro Station continued touring during this period, including appearances connected with the Warped Tour environment. The band’s history was characterized by changes, reunions, and evolving lineups, but its original connection to the late-2000s pop-rock scene remained an important part of its identity.

Metro Station’s Later Years

Metro Station’s later history included another period of activity before the group eventually ended its run. The band had disbanded in 2017 after its 10-year anniversary tour, but it reunited again in 2019. In 2020, the group released “I Hate Society,” showing that its creative relationship could continue even after multiple lineup changes. These later developments demonstrated the lasting appeal of the band’s original style. For Trace, Metro Station remained one of the central achievements of his career and the project most closely associated with his rise to mainstream recognition.

Trace Cyrus as a Solo Artist

Trace Cyrus began releasing music independently as a solo artist in 2017. His solo work represented another stage in his effort to explore personal themes and a broader musical palette. Among his releases was the single “Lights Out,” followed by “Brenda” in 2018. He later released the EP Killing the Pain in 2021. His independent career has allowed him to work outside the expectations of a major band and experiment with songwriting at his own pace. The shift also reflects the broader changes in music distribution, where artists can release songs directly to digital audiences.

“Brenda” and Personal Songwriting

One of the better-known songs from his solo period is “Brenda,” released in 2018. The song attracted attention because it was connected to his former relationship with actress and singer Brenda Song. Instead of relying solely on fictional themes, the track drew from personal experiences and emotions. This approach gave listeners a more intimate view of his songwriting. Personal storytelling has remained an important part of modern pop and rock music, and the release demonstrated his willingness to transform real experiences into creative material while continuing to develop his individual sound.

Killing the Pain EP

In September 2021, Trace Cyrus released the EP Killing the Pain. The project represented a significant point in his independent musical development and reflected a more personal approach to songwriting. Rather than attempting to recreate the exact commercial formula of Metro Station, the EP explored emotional themes and contemporary production. The release also demonstrated his continued commitment to music after years of changing projects and band arrangements. For longtime listeners, it provided evidence that his artistic career extended beyond the major hit that originally introduced him to a worldwide audience.

Trace Cyrus and Recent Music

In 2022, Trace Cyrus released “Pray at Night” and indicated that he was working toward a debut studio album. He later returned to releasing music with “Cowgirl Ride” in June 2024. These releases showed that his musical activity continued after the Metro Station era and the Killing the Pain EP. His independent approach has allowed him to explore different sounds without being tied to a single commercial formula. The continuing releases also highlight how his career has evolved from a successful band member into an artist capable of working across several stages of the music industry.

Trace Cyrus and Fashion Ventures

Music has not been the only creative area associated with Trace Cyrus. He also became involved in clothing and fashion projects, including the From Backseats to Bedrooms brand. His heavily tattooed appearance and alternative style became recognizable elements of his public persona during the Metro Station years. Fashion offered another outlet for the aesthetic associated with his music. Although the clothing business is no longer active, the venture demonstrated his interest in entrepreneurship and branding. His approach combined music, youth culture, alternative fashion, and personal expression in ways that reflected the scene he emerged from.

Tattoos and Personal Style

Trace Cyrus has long been recognized for his extensive tattoos, which became a major part of his visual identity. One especially notable phrase is “Stay Gold,” tattooed across his knuckles and inspired by S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders. His tattoos helped distinguish him visually from the polished image commonly associated with mainstream teen entertainment during the period when his band became famous. They also reflected his preference for alternative culture and personal expression. His style became closely connected with the rebellious aesthetic of pop-punk, emo, and alternative music that influenced his generation.

Relationships and Public Attention

Trace Cyrus has experienced considerable media interest in his relationships. His former engagement to Brenda Song received particular attention because both were young entertainment figures with established careers. His personal life has occasionally become part of entertainment coverage, but his professional identity remains primarily connected to music. Public relationships can generate significant attention for musicians, especially when they involve other celebrities. Nevertheless, his career history shows that his creative work has continued independently of relationship headlines, with music, songwriting, and performance remaining the central themes of his public profile.

Trace Cyrus and the Cyrus Family Legacy

Being part of the Cyrus family has influenced public perception throughout Trace’s career. Billy Ray Cyrus established the family’s musical foundation, while Miley Cyrus and Noah Cyrus later achieved major recognition as recording artists. Trace followed a different path through alternative rock and electronic pop. His career therefore adds another musical branch to the family’s broader entertainment legacy. Rather than following the same genre as his father or the mainstream pop direction of his sisters, he developed an identity associated with guitar-driven alternative music and the distinctive culture surrounding Metro Station.

Musical Style and Artistic Identity

Trace Cyrus has worked across several styles, including pop-rock, alternative rock, emo, electronic rock, and dance-oriented pop. His early Metro Station work combined guitars with synthesizers and energetic pop structures, while his later releases explored more personal themes. This variety demonstrates an artist who has not remained tied to a single sound. His willingness to experiment has been important to his longevity. Although commercial success has varied across different periods, his career has continued because he has repeatedly adapted to changing musical environments and found new ways to express himself.

Career Achievements and Influence

One of the most important achievements associated with Trace Cyrus is his role in helping Metro Station become a recognizable name in late-2000s pop-rock. The band’s self-titled album reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200, while “Shake It” reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Those accomplishments gave him a significant place in the era’s alternative-pop landscape. His later independent releases further expanded his musical story. His influence is particularly noticeable among listeners who remember the MySpace-driven music culture of the 2000s and the rise of electronic pop-rock.

Why Trace Cyrus Remains Interesting

Trace Cyrus remains interesting because his career combines family fame with an effort to establish individual credibility. He could easily have been defined only by his relationship to Billy Ray or Miley Cyrus, yet his work with Metro Station created a separate musical identity. His career also reflects the evolution of music from record-label promotion to online discovery and independent digital releases. From MySpace-era success to solo projects, his professional journey follows several major changes in the entertainment industry. That combination of family connections, alternative music, personal reinvention, and entrepreneurship continues to attract public interest.

Trace Cyrus Career Legacy

The legacy of Trace Cyrus is closely connected to the lasting popularity of Metro Station and its signature hit “Shake It.” However, limiting his story to one song would overlook his work with Ashland HIGH, his solo releases, songwriting, collaborations, and fashion projects. His career demonstrates that success can involve several different chapters rather than one uninterrupted rise. He has repeatedly changed direction while maintaining an interest in music. His journey therefore offers an example of artistic persistence, particularly for performers attempting to maintain individuality while working within the shadow of a famous entertainment family.

Final Thoughts on Trace Cyrus

Trace Cyrus has built a distinctive career through music, songwriting, touring, collaboration, and independent creativity. From his early days in Kentucky and exposure to professional music to Metro Station’s international breakthrough, his journey has included both major successes and significant changes. His later solo work demonstrates that his interest in music extends beyond the band’s most famous period. Readers seeking additional background can explore the related Wikipedia biography of Trace Cyrus for further historical information and references. His story ultimately reflects persistence, experimentation, and the continuing effort to create an identity of his own.

FAQs

1. Who is Trace Cyrus? — • An American musician, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter best known for Metro Station.
2. What band made Trace Cyrus famous? — • Metro Station became his most recognized musical project, especially through the hit “Shake It.”
3. Is Trace Cyrus related to Miley Cyrus? — • Yes, he is Miley Cyrus’s older half-brother and was adopted by Billy Ray Cyrus.
4. What is Trace Cyrus known for besides Metro Station? — • He has pursued solo music, Ashland HIGH, songwriting, collaborations, and fashion projects.
5. When was Trace Cyrus born? — • He was born on February 24, 1989, in Ashland, Kentucky.