Music Interview: TRISTN

New York based alternative pop/rock songwriter and producer TRISTN is the epitome of hardwork. When we first read about her and what she’s done so far, we easily learned she’s a hustler and doesn’t give up her fight to reach her dreams. Before she officially released music as a solo artist, she was always in the realm of music. It was just last year where TRISTN headed back home to New York to take time to focus on her own music. And earlier this year, she did just that by releasing her album January.

The song that caught our attention was “Nothing to Say (Nothin’)” which, if you close your eyes, can just imagine playing on the movie soundtrack of your favorite 2000s movie where the protagonist wins his/her way against their antagonist. But tbh, the whole album gives us some bit of nostalgia and there’s nothing wrong with that. We had to know more about her and so naturally, we reached out to her! Check out our interview with TRISTN below.  

TYF: First off, before diving into getting to know a bit about your background, I just have to say I love your energy. It’s so carefree and beautiful. How do you stay so positive and level-headed in what could be a cut-throat industry?
TRISTN: I believe that as entertainers, especially in music, we have the opportunity to encourage inspiration. Music is so magical. It’s always there when I’m feeling down, sometimes so low I couldn’t even find words to describe it.  But music is so powerful, it can change feelings, perspectives, pretty much how we look at everything. Sometimes when we see things differently, we can change how we feel about everything.

TYF: Now moving into getting to know you, when did you decide to officially pursue a career in music? What was your first move?
TRISTN: The first thing I did was going to the store and I bought a guitar.  I’ve had several guitars before but I knew I needed to find “the one” to be my partner. Six hours and fifty guitars later, I met my match. It was a Martin acoustic guitar. I have been writing everyday for almost two years now.

TYF: You went from being in a band to becoming a solo artist so what have you learned while you’ve transitioned from working with a few people to working with ultimately yourself and a few other producers?
TRISTN: It wasn’t exactly a transition. It was more like a decision. I didn’t have permanent band members, it’s a lot harder to assemble a band when most people play music part time. We never had time to make music together. I spent years assembling a band but because we kept changing band members, it was very difficult to do anything. So I decided to make music on my own until I met Nick and Steve who taught me almost everything I know now in commercial music production.

TYF: I absolutely love your album, January. I read that you had written about 50 songs but eventually went with what you have now. How did that decision process go? What are you going to do with the songs that didn’t make the cut?
TRISTN: Thank you, I’m glad you love the record.  Yes, I had written actually almost a hundred songs but finished about 50 of that bunch then recorded about 20 of them as demos. Then we only picked 5 of them to produce for this record. The other 5 songs were written and produced at the same time while we’re making the other tracks. Some of the other songs we’ll be putting them on my next record. Some of them I’ll be giving to other artists.

TYF: Is there a song you really wish made it to the album? Which one was it and what was it about?
TRISTN: Yes, It’s called “Stolen.” It’s probably my best writing work so far. It’s about a heart that was stolen without a warning, like immediately falling in love and then having your heart broken. We felt it didn’t fit the rest of the songs on January. I might include it on the B side of the next record.

TYF: Being a triple threat (producer, singer, songwriter), which aspect have you been drawn to the most?
TRISTN: Singing/performing will always be my number one. Songwriting has become very fulfilling, and producing is the most fun process because it’s like building a boat, then we set sail when it’s done. The combination of all three is definitely the perfect recipe.

TYF: Do you remember what it was like the first time you hopped on stage as TRISTN? What was that like? How does it feel to be on stage now?
TRISTN: I was playing a gig at a dive bar, so everyone in the audience was pretty much drunk, haha. I still had a great time. It feels amazing to be on stage, especially now that I have a steady group of musicians I play with. We played 10 shows together earlier this year in both New York City and Los Angeles.

TYF: How do you know when you’ve “made it”? What is your definition of a success?
TRISTN: When my art exists and has impact on someone’s life. I believe in my purpose, so success is fulfilling my purpose and living it everyday the best I can.  

TYF: 2017 was a huge year for you to release your album. What will you be doing in 2018?
TRISTN: I’ll be doing more of what I did so far. More learning, more singing, more writing, and more producing. Most importantly, I will be connecting with my fans much more through all my live broadcasts. Definitely more music coming for sure.