Taking advantage of the town's proximity to the ocean, she began surfing at the age of 12. She competed in the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) High School Division and earned fifth place in the state title while still in middle school.
At 15, she was given a cassette of Ani DiFranco's 1993 Puddle Dive by her half-brother's friend. She played the album constantly and it still has great sentimental value to her. It serves as a reminder of when her musical ambitions started to blossom.
Inspired by DiFranco's music and due in part to her nature of being a self-described "nosy kid" she entered her parents' room and began playing around with her father's old acoustic guitar. Although her parents were initially angry with her for "taking" her father's guitar, they eventually became supportive of her interest in music.
She began playing in front of friends at their homes and they encouraged her to begin writing her own material. One night, while performing for some friends, an employee of the production company The Moonshine Conspiracy, run by surf filmmaker Taylor Steele and professional surfer Chris Malloy, heard her and asked Tristan to appear in the film the company was working on at the time entitled Shelter. Tristan's song, Anything At All was chosen to be on the soundtrack.
Prettyman began playing in clubs and bars throughout San Diego County before being invited to join fellow San Diegoan, and future boyfriend, Jason Mraz on his national tour.
Prettyman spent the winter of 2004 in New York collaborating with producer Josh Deutsch who had worked with Mraz and Lenny Kravitz.
Prettyman is half-sister to Cody McClintock, an independent film producer.
She is signed to Virgin Records, and put out her first major label album Twentythree on August 2, 2005. Tristan credits her half-brother with much influence on her thinking and the title of her debut album pays partial homage to the "23 enigma". A perceptual concept which refers to the abnormally high occurrence of the number 23 in daily life as described in the book Cosmic Trigger by Robert Anton Wilson, as derived from friend and fellow author William S. Burroughs.
Twentythree peaked at 24 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart.
In 2008 Tristan released her sophomore album, entitled Hello.
Echo
Tristan Prettyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand tall walking proud, now you're breaking the rules
Tell me honey, are you feeling just a little displaced
Let down and alone now, what a bad bad taste
'Cause when I hear you say my name
Well I don't feel the same
Start to feel like I might break
No use in trying to make me stay
When I'm already on my way
Cause when I go you're gonna hear it echo
When I go, when I go you're gonna hear it echo
Now things just ain't what they used to be
Two years gone by and now it's just a memory
Well I tried to explain the reasons why
Step up or step down, come on baby pick a side
'Cause when I hear you say my name
Well I don't feel the same
Start to feel like I might break
And it's more than I can take
No use in trying to make me stay
When I'm already on my way
When I go you're gonna hear it echo
When I go, when I go you're gonna hear it echo
Oh start your running, no no no
Start your running, no no no
'Cause baby I don't wanna see your face round here no more
Oh start your running, no no no
Start your running, no no no
'Cause baby I don't wanna see your face round here no more
'Cause when I hear you say my name
Well I don't feel the same
Start to feel like I might break
And it's more than I can take
No use in trying to make me stay
When I'm already on my way
When I go you're gonna hear it echo
When I go, when I go you're gonna hear it echo
Echo, 'cause baby
Lately it's gotten too much to take
And baby I, I don't know if I can let it go
'Cause baby now
Some point I know I will break
And when I do, when I do you're gonna hear it echo
When I do, when I do you're gonna hear it echo
Echo, baby now
When I do, you're gonna hear it echo
Echo, baby now
When I do, you're gonna hear it echo
Echo, baby now
When I do, you're gonna hear it echo, echo, echo
Tristan Prettyman's song "Echo" seems to be about a relationship that has become toxic and unfulfilling. The singer of the song appears to have lost patience with her partner, who is unable or unwilling to change his behavior. The song suggests that while the singer wants to leave the relationship, the partner is not willing to let her go. The lyrics express her frustration and determination to leave, even though she knows it will be painful.
The song opens with the suggestion that the partner has "fooled" everyone, perhaps pretending to be something they are not. The singer accuses them of "breaking the rules" and suggests that they are feeling "displaced" and "let down." The chorus of the song emphasizes the singer's desire to leave the relationship, even though she knows it will be difficult. She tells her partner that, "When I go, you're gonna hear it echo," implying that her departure will have a lasting impact on him.
The second verse suggests that the relationship has been going on for two years and is now just a "memory." The singer tries to explain why she is leaving, but her partner does not seem to listen. The final verse includes the repeated line, "Start your running, no no no," suggesting that the singer is ready to move on and does not want to see her partner again.
Overall, "Echo" is a song about the pain and struggle of leaving a toxic relationship, even when that relationship has become so difficult that it feels like the only option. It captures the anxiety and fear of making such a dramatic change, as well as the sense of relief that comes with finally walking away.
Line by Line Meaning
Well isn't it like you have 'em all fooled
You are pretending to be someone you're not and people believe it.
Stand tall walking proud, now you're breaking the rules
You're being rebellious and living life on your own terms.
Tell me honey, are you feeling just a little displaced
Are you feeling lost and out of place?
Let down and alone now, what a bad bad taste
Now you're feeling disappointed and abandoned.
'Cause when I hear you say my name
Whenever you say my name...
Well I don't feel the same
I no longer feel the same way about you as I used to.
Start to feel like I might break
It's starting to feel overwhelming and I may not be able to handle it.
And it's more than I can take
It's becoming too much to bear.
No use in trying to make me stay
There's no point in trying to convince me to stay.
When I'm already on my way
I've already made up my mind to leave.
Cause when I go you're gonna hear it echo
When I leave, the effects of it will reverberate.
Now things just ain't what they used to be
Things have changed and it's not the same as before.
Two years gone by and now it's just a memory
It's been two years and now it's just a distant memory.
Well I tried to explain the reasons why
I tried to tell you the reasons behind my decision.
Step up or step down, come on baby pick a side
Make a decision and choose a side.
Oh start your running, no no no
You should start getting away, quickly.
Cause baby I don't wanna see your face round here no more
Because I don't want to see your face around here anymore.
When I do, you're gonna hear it echo
When I finally reach my breaking point, the impact of it will echo.
Lately it's gotten too much to take
Recently, it has become too much for me to handle.
And baby I, I don't know if I can let it go
And I don't know if I can let go of the pain and hurt.
Some point I know I will break
At some point, I know I will reach my breaking point.
When I do, when I do you're gonna hear it echo
And when I do reach that point, the impact of it will reverberate.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tristan Prettyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mya J
Love this song, and generally all of her songs :)
Miss Kat
Lovely voice
thatonemilan
Still sounding good in 2017!
FolkPunkRock AcousticRoots
great upload! Spread the sound!
TheSweetID
If you loved me like you say you wouldnt say you dont...
TheSweetID
If you loved me you would call me...
TheSweetID
Soda machine was cute lol