Literally, I am FREAKING out over this Fashionlush spotlight. If you haven’t heard of Tristan Prettyman, crawl out from under your rock & download her music right now. My sister (who actually went to high school with TP) was the one who told me all about her years ago, & ever since, I have been obsessed. Thanks sis <3.
It was love at first listen, for sure. Her music is so relatable & she has such an epic voice. You needed to listen to her stuff yesterday, trust me.
I’ve met her a few times, as we live in the same small town, but it was only recently I actually got to talk to her a bit. I was volunteering at an event & she was performing, so after her set we went to her meet & greet area. She is seriously so nice & down to earth, so I figured why not- let’s see if I can get this talented babe on the blog. As you can see, she was totally down.
So… read on, scope her style, get to know her, & enjoy.
xx, E
▸▸ Hey Tristan! Thanks so much for this awesome interview (so excited!). Please, introduce yourself:
Tristan Prettyman: Hi! My name is Tristan Prettyman, I am a singer songwriter, surfer, yogi, lover of all things outdoors. Born in raised in Del Mar, CA.
▸▸ What inspires your amaze music? (P.S. If you haven’t listened to her tunes, you are truly missing out- I highly reccomend listening to ‘The Rebound‘. It’s epic.)
TP: Inspiration can come from anywhere. I love watching people, in cafe’s, on the streets, I just got back from Paris and it was amazing for that. Others artists, a song you catch the very end of, or a conversation you randomly strike up with someone while you are you, all those things can spark something – that later leads to a song.
▸▸ What’s the first CD you ever bought?
TP: Jewel – Pieces of You.
▸▸ What was your big break?
TP: I will never forget driving home from San Francisco, after playing the shittiest little bar show to about 3 people…my manager at the time called and said I had been offered to go on tour with G Love & Special Sauce. I grew up a surfer, and was a big fan of G. Love at the time as well as Jack Johnson & Ben Harper…It was a surreal moment.
▸▸ Other creative outlets besides music?
TP: I love painting and gardening, I’m kinda OCD so I’m always organizing or trying to figure out new ways to get creative with my space. I live in a 700 Sq foot little beach cottage, so I’m always consolidating or building something to create space for things.
▸▸ What’s on your Spotify/workout playlist?
TP: I do a lot of Pilates and yoga, so don’t really have a workout playlist as there is always music in class provided. But, I love hip hop. J. Cole, Drake, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, & even Miley Cyrus. I’m loving Jessie James right now. I have a real love for beats and bass. If I could I would try to rap, but I think I’m too white girl for that.
▸▸ 5 pieces of clothing you’re loving for Fall 2013?
TP: I have a Helmut Lang tuxedo jacket that I picked up in New York, and I have been living in it. You can dress it down or up, it seriously goes with everything. I also am loving the Rag & Bone leather pants. All the vegan people are gonna be all up on me, but they were a gift and I love them. They fit perfect and I wear a size smaller than normal cause they stretch, what girl doesn’t love that ;). I love the Rag & Bone booties, & also these flat lace up booties I got in France. They are casual but funky. I love plaid shirts cause they go with anything, and also there is a pajama pant craze right now, which I think is so cute cause you can dress them up with heels and a tank. Its a sharp look, and also really comfortable.
▸▸ Trends you love? Trends you hate?
TP: I’m loving crops tops, with high waisted skirts or jeans. Trends i hate? I really hate those 80’s washed out high waisted cut off jean shorts. No one needs to see your front wedgie and butt cheeks hanging out. (<< DITTO!!!)
▸▸ How would you describe your personal style? Who/what inspires your style?TP: I dress super casual most of the time. I am tall already, so I live in flats. Sam Edelman makes a t-strap sandal (The Gigi) that comes in every color under the sun. They are great. On stage I love skinny jeans and ankle booties, & tanks or blouses. I need something I can move in. I don’t wear a lot of dresses these days cause I have a stomp box that I play with my foot and I don’t wanna be flashing everyone in the front row.
▸▸ What’s your sacred beauty trick?
TP: My Clarisonic. I don’t leave home without it.
▸▸ If we dumped your purse right now, what would we find?
TP: iPhone, Wallet, Epicuren lip balm, head phones, a sharpie, neon green Oakley Frogskin sunglasses, Evian facial spray, Tide To Go stick, Malin + Goetz hand cream, extra hair bands, bobby pins (my hair is in that weird in between phase of growing it out from being super short), Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava solid perfume.
▸▸ What’s a day in the life of Tristan Prettyman?
TP: When I don’t have to be up for something, I generally let myself sleep in. I always try to get a full 8 hours of sleep, its the only time your voice gets a break to heal, and also your skin to repair damage. Sleep is numero uno for me. I love love love it. Coffee + Emails usually start my day, and then meetings/a surf before noon. I try to get to a yoga class, pilates, or workout with my trainer sometime in the day, and when I don’t have time for that, I will go for a quick 20-30 min walk outside. Fresh air is also important to clear your head and just check out for a minute. I’m in LA a lot these days, getting ready to create the concept for the next album, as well as writing new tunes, and working with different producers, and when I’m not there I’m usually visiting with friends or family.
▸▸ What keeps you grounded?
TP: Yoga, surfing, and me time. I’m super introverted and love my space and having time to just chill out and recharge.
+ Tristan & I at Rachel’s Brunch. Don’t mind my crazy hair, I was “working” in 80 degree weather all day. She looked great, naturally. +
▸▸ Favorite healthy snacks?
TP: I love baby food believe it or not. My boyfriend actually turned me on to it. Its quick, easy, non-perishable, and full off organic (depending on the brand) fruits and veggies. It’s a perfect snack if you are on the go, and just the right amount to hold you over till your next meal. I love Perfect Foods Bars, Mama Chia Squeeze Vitality packs, and Suja Juice, which also has a new line out called Elements.
▸▸ How do you stay healthy on tour?
TP: Sleep is again number one. If I have to choose between hitting the hay early, or going to the gym, I almost always choose sleep. I am on stage for 75-90 minutes a night and it gets sweaty, so I try to convince myself that is enough and to not overdo it. I try not to eat late at night either. I stick to salads and proteins, and bourbon…that counts as a vegetable right? I also travel with chia seeds, powdered coconut water, Beaming protein powder (local to San Diego), and Pure Organic food bars. We are actually a pretty healthy bunch, I have kale on my ride and avocados, so there is a lot of guacamole happening as well as kale salads.
▸▸ Describe the feel of your music and what makes it different?
TP: I always write from my heart, and never write about what I don’t know. Most songs stem from experience, observation, something personal, etc…I’m always pretty known for being brutally honest, especially on this last album. I think I have gotten so used to being vulnerable, I kinda enjoy being in that space now. I like being honest, telling the truth, and always having an underlying meaning of hope in there, when all is said and done. Life always goes on, we always have a choice, and it can always get better, as long as we are willing to put in the work.
▸▸ Any news for your music career?
TP: I’m always Instagram-ming (@tristanprettyman) and Twittering (@tprettyman). I’m currently writing for the next album and just trying to figure out where I want to go with that. Hopefully it will be happier than the previous release, I would like to make a fun album now, light and airy. I’m in a much happier, stable place these days, and I would like the album to reflect that.