SXSW Preview: Tristen

Nashville-based singer Tristen sounds so sweet, even when she’s singing about things that aren’t very sweet at all.

Jason started spinning her record in October last year, right before CMJ, and though my pop instincts led me to love the catchy chorus of “Matchstick Murder” right off the bat, I started gravitating more towards “Baby Drugs” as my favorite once I gave her full length Charlatans at the Garden Gate a good listen.

The lyrics seem simple, but its heavy subject matter. Loving an addict has never been easy, which Tristen makes clear: “I will pick your clothes up in the morning. I will put the coffee by the bed” followed by two and a half minutes of pop perfection.

Tristen – Baby Drugs by AmericanMythRecordings

NPR TristenTom Moonran an excellent piece on by and I can’t wait to see her as the opener on KCRW’s SXSW showcase on Wednesday, March 16.

RR