by martina rexrode
photo by t. dean
The second single of the year from Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tristan Tritt is an authentic examination of how social media has altered the way we take in information about others. In a style similar to that of 90s grunge artists, “No Filter” pairs a nostalgic sound with a modern subject matter. We talked with Tritt about this single, his Nashville influences, and what fans can expect from him in the new year. Hint: a lot of shows and maybe an EP.
Congratulations on your recent single “No Filter!” What can you tell us about the inspiration behind this song?
Tristan: “The inspiration for ‘No Filter’ came from me and Jerry Fuentes discussing how people are under the illusion of social media, and how it’s basically a highlight reel that doesn’t show the true sides of our lives. Even the idea of what people look like has changed based on what a filter has done to their face. It was really a tongue in cheek way of making fun of how ridiculous the whole thing was.”
Where do you typically tend to draw inspiration from in your music?
Tristan: “My inspiration comes through a lot of things, but I’ve tried to get much better with trying to wait around for ‘inspired moments.’ The truth is, there’s always things to draw inspiration from, and especially now more than ever it’s easy, being an observer, and finding something to write about.”
How does “No Filter” differ from your past releases?
Tristan: “‘No Filter’ definitely drew a lot more inspiration from the mid to late 90s techno rock. Though it has a grungy flow to it, the lyrics talk/sing in a rhythm that I would more akin to an early Nine Inch Nails song.”
What is your favorite lyric in “No Filter?”
Tristan: “It’s hard to pick one lyric in particular, but I love singing the part, ‘one pill you can swallow every time, no praise ever gonna make it right.’ I think it hits the hardest from a dynamic standpoint.”
As a rock singer-songwriter in Nashville, do you find yourself absorbing any aspects of different genres while crafting your own style?
Tristan: “Oddly enough, a lot of my friends are in the country music world, so I definitely, definitely see how their style differs from mine, but I see a lot of similarity specifically with guitar tones, and even the use of certain drum machines and effects. The lines between country music have been blurred more than ever now. I definitely see a lot of influence from country music, even in rock artists and vice versa.”
What is the most rewarding part of creating the music you’ve made so far?
Tristan: “For the last two years, I’ve really been working on creating an all original setlist at my shows and getting rid of the covers. Seeing people actually singing back my lyrics has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s hard to believe that people actually want to hear these songs from me, and not only that, but they know the lyrics well enough to sing them back. It’s a wild experience and I’m thankful everyday for it/them.”
What can fans expect from you in 2024?
Tristan: “New music for sure, and I would love to be getting an EP out next year so I can really hone in on my sound and create something that is challenging artistically but consistent with the direction I’ve chosen to go down. Oh, and they can expect many more shows in 2024.”