Tristen: Charlatons At The Garden Gate

About a year ago, Nashville trio(plus guests) Tristen, led by Vocalist Tristen Gaspadarek, released their debut album Charlatons At The Garden Gate.  After sliding under my radar for nearly a year, I have finally listened to this album, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. 

Charlatons At The Garden Gate is a neo-folk gem, full of idiosyncrasies.  Throughout the album, Tristen recounts, with impeccable storytelling ability, her struggles with finding love and untangling her emotions.  She tackles these heavy emotions with light and cheery music; where a lesser artist would have released a bogged down, depressing album, Tristen keeps it playful and optimistic.  The heavy instrumentation creates a layering that delicately ricochets from minimal to extravagant.  The songs are short, and lead little room for interpretation.  Tristen does not seem to be over analytical of her feelings, but rather a reporter of them.  Her simple beauty and use of figurative language is as addicting to her listeners as it is accessible.

Tristen does well not falling into the easy trap of lovelorn singers.  She does not pine and brood over her lack of love, but playfully refuses to succumb to the traditional mores of relationships, and her desire to be happy on her own terms.  It is refreshing and devoid of cliche.

Tristen has proven to be a toure de folk force.  She has the original words, pretty music, and lively personality to go far in the now popular indie folk scene.