MP3: Tristen – “Eager For Your Love”
MP3: Tristen – “Baby Drugs”
It may only be January, but it seems safe to declare Tristen the year’s most charming new artist. The young musician is set to release her full-length debut, Charlatans at the Garden Gate, on February 1st via American Myth Recordings. The 11-track album is an instantly appealing collection of sunny pop and introspective ballads set afloat by the 26-year-old’s enchanting, spritely vocals. Continue reading…
We do a lot of talking about the amazing Erika Davies around these parts, but sometimes words just aren’t enough. So, for all you visual learners out there, we had Miss Davies and her band come into the NBC studios to record some songs for us. Watch the video for “Robot Girl” above, then go see her at the Whistle Stop tonight, where she’ll be opening for The Mashtis.
Davies is currently at work on her full-length debut, Galaxy Lakes, and it’s going to be a great one. Unfortunately, the process has stalled due to a lack of funding, but there is something you can do to help.
The swanky vocalist has launched a Kickstarter page to help raise money to complete the album. She has until February 18 to get $2000 in pledges, and she needs your help to do it. Head over to the page and donate whatever you can. Depending on the amount pledged, backers will receive any of a variety of rewards that includes an autographed copy of Galaxy Lakes, a signed 8×11 tintype photo print of the cover art, and a handwritten, signed lyric book.
All in all, it’s a great way to help one of San Diego’s finest musicians achieve their dream. And, on a selfish note, we all get a fantastic album out of it. See? Giving truly is its own reward.
Seeing New Mexico play is like walking into a tornado. No matter how much you brace yourself or tell yourself you can withstand the force, you’re still going to get knocked on your ass. The San Diego trio’s explosive garage rock assails and enchants the listener with serrated guitar lines and rapid-fire drumming. And, at the eye of the storm, Rob Kent’s tipsy vocals exude danger and rock and roll bravado. Continue reading…
In typical fashion, Hollywood rolled out its best dramas this winter, each vying for Oscar consideration. Few, though, have been the subject of as much conversation and praise as Black Swan. Anchored by Natalie Portman’s virtuoso performance as an unbalanced dancer, the film has spent the last few months firmly embedded in the national zeitgeist.
Amid all the film talk, it would be easy to overlook The Black Swans. The Columbus, OH folk act isn’t even a movie, but rather a band. And though Black Swan prominently featured music — specifically ballet — you probably won’t find the flannel-wearing trio doing jetés or pirouettes. Continue reading…
For the second installment of our SoundDiego Sessions series, local songstress Maren Parusel and her band came into the NBC San Diego studio to record some songs from her upcoming album, Artificial Gardens.
Since moving to San Diego from Germany four years ago, Parusel has made a deep impression on the scene — first as front woman for defunct girl-punk trio Wild Weekend and now as a solo artist. In that time, her songwriting has matured into synth-infused, whimsical pop that sounds something like The Cure with Blonde Redhead’s Kazu Makino as lead singer.
You can see Maren Parusel in person on Tuesday, January 11, when she’ll open up for Everest and Writer at the Belly Up Tavern. Artificial Gardens, her debut full length, will be released in March. For a taste of what the album will hold, check out the video for the catchy “Sun Goes Down In Space,” above.