Tristen Gasparadek is in her late twenties but sounds years more mature on this, her full length debut. She released a raw, self recorded CD a few years ago but with this album, her music is full of a new confidence and unmistakably beautiful vocal harmonies not found on the first collection of songs.
My recollection of seeing her play in the Spring was the fact that I thought was privy to something undiscovered and special, until unknown to me, two other local music bloggers were crazy too see her as well, and she wasn’t even headlining the night!
She is celebrating the season (and a new haircut) with offering up her new yuletide EP here in exchange for your email addy. She was cool enough to take some time recently to participate in this year end edition of First/Last.
Thanks so much Tristen. Really cannot wait to see you play Pittsburgh again.
Tristen-Charlatans at the Garden Gate
As with previous months, I am attempting to focus on bands that might be under your radar. Attempted is the key word this month as a couple of these bands are somwewhat megastars in the indie music world.
This month’s top spot is not a ‘new’ release, it came out in February. It’s been chosen due to the fact that I didn’t listen anything as nearly as much as I did this. After seeing her at Stage AE really made me go back and revisit her stuff. This is infectious music. Can’t wait to see here again soon.
Other artists of note:
Death Cab for Cutie-Codes and Keys
I was never a fan of this band, not because they aren’t good, it’s just never happened due to …whatever. This album is being released today and as NPR had it streaming last week, I listened to and enjoyed it ALOT, surpisingly so. The show here in August has become a must-see.
Damon and Naomi-False Beats and True Hearts
This is a gentle reminder of what they could accomplished in Galaxie 500.
I have been a fan of Sam’s since Chemical City. Straight up, solid Rock and Roll.
The Elected-Bury Me in My Rings
I was surprised how much I like this band? I really dig Blake’s fellow Rilo Kiley bandmate Jenny Lewis’ stuff, why should this be so radically different?
Sarah Fimm-Near Infinite Possibility
She reminds me of Sarah McLachlan without all the preciousness crap.
Beutifully lush lo-fi goodness from Seattle.
Will Sheff is probably the best lyricists in America today. This isn’t easy music to appreciate. It rewards with numerous listens.
Rock-pop from San Diego.
I love this guy. He hails from England. What a sleeper of a release.
Fleet Foxes-Helplessness Blues
As with Death Cab, I am not an uberfan of these guys but this is some solid music.
Tristen and her guitarist were the opener but you could have fooled me. There were several people there specifically to see her play based on her recently released great album Charlatans at the Garden Gate. My only complaint was the fact that she was minus a full band for the show, which wasn’t a bad thing, just lacking a certain…oomph. Read a proper review of the show here (and admire the awesome picture to boot!). More photos here.