I gave Tristen's latest, Charlatans At the Garden Gate (out February 1st on American Myth Recordings), a spin over the weekend and had an instant connection with it. Talk about love at first listen. I've listened to it about ten times since and there's not a bad track on the record -- great arrangements, big choruses, unforgettable hooks, and at the center is Tristen's singing. Her delivery is right on with interesting twists and turns. She sounds warm, but with a hint of darkness lurking -- an equal dose of sugar and smoke. It's rare to have so many musical adventures wrapped around 3-minute pop tunes. I'm looking forward to seeing what else this record will reveal.
I love it when shit like this happens; when a great record just falls on your lap.
Tristen - "Eager For Your Love"
Here's the video for "Matchstick Murder."
Matchstick Murder from Tristen on Vimeo.

photo by Leslie Lyons
new to state of mind
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
Shows: moe.
Shows: Yonder Mountain String Band
Shows: Grand Point North 2014
Shows: Catskill Chill 2014
Shows: moe.down 15
Shows: Gov't Mule
Shows: Umphrey's McGee
Shows: Newport Folk Festival 2014
Shows: Widespread Panic
Albums: Phish - Fuego
random awesomeness
Shows: Echo Project
Blog: Welcome Back, Barber
Shows: Bitches Brew Revisited
Blog: Listen: "Here Comes Sunshine" from Grateful Dead Road Trips Vol. 4 No. 3
Features: Chasing the Magical Sound in My Head: Sam Cohen of Yellowbirds
Shows: Radiohead
Blog: State of Mind Year-end Video (and best of stuff)
Blog: Listen: Rubblebucket - "Triangular Daisies"
Shows: Dark Star Orchestra
Albums: Monade - Monstre Cosmic
Shows: Echo Project
Blog: Welcome Back, Barber
Shows: Bitches Brew Revisited
Blog: Listen: "Here Comes Sunshine" from Grateful Dead Road Trips Vol. 4 No. 3
Features: Chasing the Magical Sound in My Head: Sam Cohen of Yellowbirds
Shows: Radiohead
Blog: State of Mind Year-end Video (and best of stuff)
Blog: Listen: Rubblebucket - "Triangular Daisies"
Shows: Dark Star Orchestra
Albums: Monade - Monstre Cosmic