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Tristen Gaspadarek

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Tristen
Tristen performing in Cambridge, Massachusetts in March 2017
Background information
Birth nameTristen Gaspadarek
Born (1983-11-23) November 23, 1983 (age 41)
Lansing, Illinois, US[1]
GenresPop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, performance artist
Instrument(s)vocal, guitar, keyboard
Years active2000–present
LabelsPUPsnake Records, Modern Outsider
Websitewww.tristen.com

Tristen (born Tristen Gaspadarek, November 23, 1983) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She has released five albums: Teardrops and Lollipops (2008), Charlatans at the Garden Gate (2011), C A V E S (2013), Sneaker Waves (2017), and Aquatic Flowers (2021). She also performed as a member of Jenny Lewis's live band in 2015.

Biography

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After graduating from De Paul University in 2007, where she studied relational group and organizational theories of communication, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee to immerse herself in its music scene.

Tristen's first EP was an independent release, a collection of lo-fi demos titled Teardrops and Lollipops that was completed in 2008. She recorded the homemade EP in her Nashville apartment, burning the CD's herself and packaging them in unique, hand-sewn felt sleeves to sell at her shows.[2]

In February 2011 she released her label debut Charlatans at the Garden Gate, which Rolling Stone magazine praised for its "catchy refrains with multiple meanings," and "ear-tugging melodies with hidden hooks." They interpreted the album's sound as "vintage rockabilly and girl group pop" and called Tristen "an artist worth watching."[3] Slant Magazine reviewed Charlatans at the Garden Gate, stating that "the basic mastery of these songs, the way they skip between styles and voices, while maintaining a strict level of lyrical and vocal quality, is a great accomplishment in itself, especially on a debut."[4] The album was also recognized favorably by NPR,[5] Spin Magazine,[6] The A.V. Club,[7] and Paste Magazine,[8] among others.

Her follow-up, C A V E S, was released in October 2013. Stylistically the album differed from the prominent folk sound of Charlatans with the new addition of drum machines and synths. American Songwriter said Tristen had "evolved her sound ... cranking up the complexity, craft and drama; mixing futuristic moments with quirky lullabies and the same biting tongue, sacrificing folk references for ’80s touch points."[9] It was recorded partly in Nashville by Battle Tapes Recording engineer Jeremy Ferguson, partly in Omaha, Nebraska by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, M Ward) and was mixed by synth-pop pioneer Stephen Hague (New Order, Pet Shop Boys).[10] Just like her previous album, C A V E S was named "Best Local Album of 2013".[11] by the Nashville Scene Critic's Poll and in the "Top 50 Albums of 2013" by American Songwriter.[12] SPIN Magazine said the sound of C A V E S had recast the songwriter as "a synth pop siren."[13]

Tristen's fourth album, Sneaker Waves, was released in July 2017. The title was taken from the name of a large, powerful coastal wave known to appear without warning, periodically sweeping innocent bystanders out to sea. Tristen said she found the phenomenon of the sneaker wave to feel like a metaphor for life and death and a suitable album title.[14] In making the album, Tristen and her husband and collaborator Buddy Hughen decided to record at their home studio in Nashville, handling nearly everything but the rhythm section and orchestral accompaniment.[15] The songs on Sneaker Waves were described by Charleston City Paper as showing "traces of twang but more often than not seem to take the ambitious arrangements on C A V E S and filter them through a rich, timeless blend of garage rock, atmospheric country, [and] '60s girl group flourishes."[16] Sneaker Waves was well received by critics, described by Rolling Stone as having "Nilsson-worthy power balladry,"[17] while NPR's Ann Powers put it in her list of "Top 10 Underheard Albums Of 2017" and called it "bursting with great melodies and hooky arrangements that tickle the ear and won’t leave your brain alone."[18]

Since the release of Charlatans at the Garden Gate Tristen has toured North America with artists including Those Darlins, The Elected, Justin Townes Earle, Ezra Furman and the Harpoons, and Vanessa Carlton. In March 2014, she opened for Television in Nashville.

In 2015, Tristen was featured in the documentary The Moment: Bonnaroo, about the music festival.

In 2016, Tristen released a chap book of poetry, Saturnine.[19]

Tristen announced her fifth album, Aquatic Flowers, would be released June 4, 2021 by Mama Bird Recording Co.[20]

Discography

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Albums

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Year Title Label Tracks Formats
2008 Teardrops and Lollipops Tristen Self-Release 9 CD, Download
2011 Charlatans at the Garden Gate American Myth Recordings 11 LP, CD, Download
2013 C A V E S PUPsnake Records 11 LP/clear vinyl, CD, Download
2017 Sneaker Waves Modern Outsider 11 LP clear vinyl, CD, Download
2021 Aquatic Flowers Mama Bird Recording Co. 11 LP/blue vinyl, CD, Download

EPs

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Year Title Label Tracks Formats
2009 Deceivers Are Achievers Tristen Self-Release 5 CD
2010 Eager For Your Love American Myth Recordings 3 7", Download
2011 Tristen Decks the Halls Tristen Self-Release 3 7" red vinyl, Download
2019 Tristen Decks the Halls (re-issue) Tristen Self-Release 3 7" pink vinyl[21]
2019 Tristen Decks the Halls (with bonus tracks) Tristen Self-Release 6 Download[22]

Singles

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Year Title B-Side/Notes Label Formats Album
2011 Eager For Your Love Baby Drugs American Myth Recordings Download / streaming Charlatans at the Garden Gate
2013 No One's Gonna Know PUPsnake Records C A V E S
Gold Star[23]
2014 Forever Yours note: Carl Perkins cover YouTube streaming Non-album track
See No Evil note: Television cover
2016 In Winter Blues Download / streaming
2017 Peaceful Easy Feeling note: Eagles cover Instant Records
Got Some Glass Jar (Feat. Jenny Lewis) Modern Outsider 7" Ltd. Ed. / streaming Sneaker Waves
Crying on Christmas Day note: proceeds go to Doctors without borders PUPsnake Records Download / streaming Non-album track
2019 Dream Within a Dream Red Lava This Man Records 7" / 7" Ltd. Ed. handmade cover / download / streaming
A Case of You note: Joni Mitchell cover PUPsnake Records/Modern Outsider Download/streaming
2020 Can't Walk That Back Tristen
Salty Tears Modern Outsider
2021 Just Like Heaven —
Complex Mama Bird Recording Co. Aquatic Flowers
2022 Dance Me to the End of Love Non-album track

[24] [25]

Collaborations

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Year Main Artist Album Songs Contribution
2009 The Non-Commissioned Officers Make-out with Violence (OST) "Radar Heart (Rody Please)" Vocals
2010 Caitlin Rose Own Side Now "New York" Writer, backing vocals
2011 Jonny Corndawg Down on the Bikini Line Various tracks Performer
2012 Wanda Jackson Unfinished Business Tracks 4, 6 and 7[26] Backing vocals
JEFF the Brotherhood Dark Energy (Single) "Dark Energy" (Tristen Vocal) Vocals
2015 Quichenight Quichenight Presents... Quichebeat 2015 (Feat. Tristen and John Hendrickson) "There Is a Time"
War on Christmas EP "Silent Night"
2017 Steelism ism "Shake Your Heel"
All Them Witches Sleeping Through the War 4 tracks
And The Relatives Green Machinery "Hammer Down" / "Siamese"
2020 Vanessa Carlton Love is an Art Various tracks Writer, backing vocals

[24]

Videography

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Year Title Director Formats Album
2009 Matchstick Murder Jeff Wyatt Wilson Vimeo/YouTube Charlatans at the Garden Gate
Baby Drugs! (Live Version) Seth Pomeroy Vimeo
2011 Baby Drugs Justin Mitchell Vimeo/YouTube
2013 No One's Gonna Know Bernadine Shout & Danny Buday YouTube C A V E S
2014 Catalyst Seth Pomeroy Vimeo/YouTube/Vevo/iTunes
Gold Star Tristen YouTube
2016 A Dream Within A Dream (Live) Saturnine (poetry book)
Eight People on a Golf Course and One Bird of Freedom Flying Over Bekah Cope Audio Poem by Lawrence Ferlinghetti (1988)
2017 Glass Jar (Feat. Jenny Lewis)[27] Casey Pierce Vevo/YouTube Sneaker Waves
Got Some Tristen YouTube
2018 Partyin' is Such Sweet Sorrow Tristen + Seth Pomeroy
2019 A Dream Within A Dream Tristen/Shane Tutmarc Non-album single
2021 Complex Tristen Aquatic Flowers
Athena Tristen

[28] [29] [30] [31]

Film and television

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Song Program Format Episode
Baby Drugs Better Living Through Chemistry[32] Film
After Everything[33]
Doomsday Five Star Day[34]
Baby Drugs Enlightened[35] Television S1:E4
Teen Mom 2[36] S3:E12
Matchstick Murder The Office[37]
Special Kind of Fear Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll[38] S1:E8
Catalyst Neighbours 7242–7265
Home and Away 6131–6150
Easy Out 6091–6110
Gold Star Teen Mom 2[39] S5:E10
Catfish: The TV Show S3:E6
Home and Away 6131–6150
House of War Finding Carter[40] S2:E7
Home and Away 6111–6130
Monster 6091–6130
No One's Gonna Know
Glass Jar SEAL Team[41]
Miracle Workers[42] S1:E4

Books

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Year Title Edition Foreword By Publisher
2016 Saturnine Pocket Poetry Series: Volume One (2 pressings)[43] Ezra Furman Cosmic Thug Records & Press

References

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  1. ^ Hopper, Jessica (June 30, 2011). "Tristen returns to her roots". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  2. ^ Monger, Timothy. "Apple Music Preview: About Tristen". Apple iTunes. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  3. ^ Hermes, Will (March 3, 2011). "Tristen – Charlatans At the Garden Gate". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  4. ^ Cataldo, Jesse (January 30, 2011). "Review: Tristen, Charlatans at the Garden Gate". Slant Magazine. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  5. ^ Moon, Tom. "Pop Hooks And Pure Inspiration". NPR. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  6. ^ Goodman, Billy. "25 Must Hear Artists At Bonnaroo 2011". Spin Magazine. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  7. ^ Williams, Christian (February 2011). "Tristen – Charlatans At The Garden Gate". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  8. ^ Reevers, China. "Tristen – Charlatans At The Garden Gate". Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  9. ^ Moss, Marissa (October 15, 2013). "Tristen: C A V E S". Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  10. ^ "Tristen Announces CAVES Kickstarter Campaign". The Nashville Scene.
  11. ^ "Diarrhea Planet leads the local charge in a year full of powerful releases and big developments". Nashville Scene. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
  12. ^ American Songwriter's Top 50 Albums Of 2013, American Songwriter
  13. ^ "Stream Tristen's Synth-Lined 'C A V E S':Nashville-based talent abandons folk tradition for '80s-tinged sophomore LP". SPIN Magazine.
  14. ^ Lovegood, Lisa. "Tristen". Indievidualist.de. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  15. ^ Hight, Jewly. "Review: Tristen, 'Sneaker Waves'". NPR. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  16. ^ Petersen, Kyle (April 2, 2018). "Tristen ventures into garage rock, '60s girl group, Nillsonesque pop territory on Sneaker Waves". Charleston City Paper.
  17. ^ Crawford, Robert (August 8, 2017). "10 New Country Artists You Need to Know: August 2017". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  18. ^ Powers, Ann. "Ann Powers' Top 10 Underheard Albums Of 2017". NPR. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  19. ^ "SATURNINE BY TRISTEN GASPADAREK IS VOLUME ONE !! AVAILABLE TODAY!". Cosmicthugrecords.com. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  20. ^ "Tristen Announces New Album 'Aquatic Flowers'". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  21. ^ "Tristen – Decks The Halls". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  22. ^ "Decks the Halls re-release with bonus tracks". Tristen.com. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  23. ^ "Future Releases on Triple A (AAA) Radio Stations". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  24. ^ a b "Tristen". Discogs.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  25. ^ "Tristen". Apple Music. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  26. ^ "Wanda Jackson - Unfinished Business". Discogs.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  27. ^ "Tristen – "Glass Jar" (Feat. Jenny Lewis) Video". Stereogum.com. June 8, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  28. ^ "TRISTEN". YouTube. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  29. ^ "TristenVEVO". YouTube. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  30. ^ "Tristen". Vimeo. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  31. ^ "Tristen". Apple Music. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  32. ^ "Better Living Through Chemistry Soundtrack List". Soundtrackmania.net. March 11, 2014.
  33. ^ "Music from After Everything". Tunefind.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  34. ^ "Five Star Day (2010) Soundtrack". RingosTrack.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  35. ^ "Music from Enlightened S1E04". Tunefind.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  36. ^ Team, MTV CMI (February 4, 2013). "Music from the Teen Mom 2 Season 3 Finale". Soundtrack.mtv.com. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  37. ^ "Sync Licensing". Terrorbird.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  38. ^ ""Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll" Don't Wanna Die Anonymous (TV Episode 2015)". IMDb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  39. ^ "Music from Teen Mom 2 S5E10". Tunefind.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  40. ^ "Music from Finding Carter S2E07". Tunefind.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  41. ^ "Music from SEAL Team S2E16". Tunefind.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  42. ^ "Heaven, Inc. Required Listening (Miracle Workers) by TBS". Music.apple.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  43. ^ "SOLD OUT!! TRISTEN GASPADAREK'S SATURNINE Volume One of CTR Press' Pocket Poetry Series 2nd Printing w/foreword by Ezra Furman from COSMIC THUG RECORDS & PRESS". Cosmicthugrecords.bandcamp.com. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
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