Earlier today, I chatted with Nashville’s Tristen. Enjoy our exchange below.
1. How would you describe your music in twenty words or less?
Neo-traditionalist pop.
2. I hear elements of Dolly in your sound. Is she an influence?
Dolly is in my top ten. I had a greatest hits record as a child that was on repeat for YEARS. I love her for many reasons, her string and vocal laden arrangements, her tendency to write from a distinctly strong female perspective, her melodies are amazing and unique to her because she is such an incredible vocalist. I think a lot of female artists try to survive in the male dominated music world by sacrificing their femininity to assimilate in order to be taken seriously. Dolly unabashedly embraces her femininity, flaunts it & for that I, as well as men and women all over the world, love her!!!
Read the remainder of this interview AFTER THE JUMP…
3. Whom else would you include in your all-time fave artist list?
Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Wanda Jackson, Loretta Lynn, Lou Reed & Tom Petty forever and always!
4. What are your three most cherished albums of 2009?
I can’t say I’ve listened to any music that has come out this year.
5. Can you list a few dream collaborators?
William Blake, Allen Ginsberg, Noam Chomsky, Bertrand Russell, Jon Stewart, Kahlil Gibran, Kate Bush (in order to acquire superb dancing skills and high octave singing prowess) & any of the aforementioned all-time faves.
6. Are you familiar with the Patrick Wolf’s ‘Tristan’?
I checked it out on YouTube and I think I’ll post it on Facebook for a laugh. I’m pretty sure he is talking about the character Tristan of Tristan & Isolde, the medieval love story and later opera by Wagner, but for the same reason people buy key chains with their name engraved on it, I am excited to find a song that says my name. Cheers!
7. What are your plans for 2010?
I’m writing a new record, continuing to tour & world domination.
8. Are there any misconceptions that you’d like to clear up?
Hell is NOT real.
