Tristan Prettyman
Tristan Prettyman is about to release her second album, "Hello." We talked with Tristan about the long awaited release (April 15, 2008), what she's been up to, her music making process, and more.
Photo Credit: Sasha Eisenman
The Star Scoop:
Tell us what's been going on in your life lately. Catch us up!
Tristan Prettyman:
Well, we did the record, finished a new record, and that's coming out April 15, so it's very exciting. Sort of my whole life has been consumed with getting ready for that. I did photo shoots and music videos and interviews, that sort of stuff. Now we're just on tour. We've been out for about two weeks, and we've got five weeks to go. All is well.
The Star Scoop:
What are you looking forward to most about the new record?
Prettyman:
I just wish it was out already [laughs]. It's been done for almost a year, so it's like, Okay, come on. The label pushed it back two times, so it's finally coming out. I think that's the most exciting, because I've been talking about it while I was making it, and when I finished it. That's probably the most exciting for me, is just it finally coming out, people being able to hear it, and seeing what people think. I'm definitely really, really proud of it. I think it's a little bit of a departure from the last record. I think people are going to be really surprised.
The Star Scoop:
Do you feel that you still have a similar sound? For those who haven't heard you before, how would you describe your sound?
Prettyman:
I think my stamp has stayed in both records, it's real consistent. The first record was pretty breezy, and to me it was a really safe record. This new one is definitely a little bit more gritty, it's a little more sassy, and a little bit more vintagey sounding. It's kind of a little bit more me. It really showcases my personality through the whole thing, which is something that I'm really proud of. That's definitely comes across, all the different kinds of shades of my personality. I would say that it's a little bit bluesy; my vocals have gotten a lot stronger. I think musically, it's just in general, I think it's a lot stronger, it's just a really nice step forward.
The Star Scoop:
What is your level of involvement in the creative process?
Prettyman:
I've always written all my own stuff, music and the lyrics. This new record I did do a little bit of cowriting, so there's some collaborations. Always, always I write all the lyrics. For the collaborations for some of the songs on this record came more in regards to arrangements and writing bridges and that sort of thing, and sort of opening the song musically. Always, always, always, I will always write my own stuff. I don't think I could ever sing anybody else's songs, unless I'm doing a cover. For this record, I was really excited because we had toured for about two and a half years on my first record, and I went straight to the studio being real warmed up, everything real fresh in my head. When it came time to make the record, we pretty much did everything live, so everyone just plays at the same time, and you just record it. My first record, it was my first time being in the big recording studio, being in that environment. The way that we recorded was so different. I just wanted to go in and record the song. This record, I got to do that, and that way it becomes more about how it makes you feel than it sounding super perfect.
The Star Scoop:
For people who are new to you, and want to sample a song or two, what would your recommend?
Prettyman:
Probably from the first record, "Smoke" or "Breathe." From the new record, "Hello" and "California Girl" are pretty fun.
The Star Scoop:
Where do you go from here?
Prettyman:
I guess you tour. You tour forever! For me, we did this record, and I'm really, really excited for it to come out, and I want to tour on it. I'm sort of at a place where I want to have kids and a family. If things get too crazy on this record, I think I'll probably kind of focus on that. Music was sort of an accident for me. I love to do it. I can't imagine doing anything else, but, I had young parents, and we had such an amazing family. My motherly instincts are kicking in [laughs].
The Star Scoop:
Music is very personal, and people feel, when seeing them perform, that they're getting to them, and they're part of the experience. It's important to find out, what do you want to say specifically to your fans?
Prettyman:
Yeah, yeah, for sure. I'm just as normal as anybody else. I'm just probably in the same place as many people in their mid to late twenties are. Writing music obviously comes from being inspired by things, and big changes in your life, and relationships and growing older and being more independent. You kind of gotta step back from your dreams and your passions once in a while, and kind of do something else for a minute so that you can come back to it with a fresh outlook, and be real inspired by something else, so you can give something back to your dreams and your passions. I just love playing music. I have the best fans ever, and they're really supportive.