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.
The Story
Tristan Prettyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the secret ingredient you're missing
I'm the sidewalk but I'm not complete
And I'm the reason that baby, you're trippin
Ohh decisions you didn't make
I'm the chance you chose, not to take
And I'm the one you wish you were kissing
Pray for clear skies tonight
So you write the title
And I'll write the chapters
We can read a story
Of a love gone disaster
You write the moral
And I'll write the lesson
And we can read of love
That kept us, guessing
Cause I am in question
You are in reason
Soon this will change
Just like the seasons
My leaves will fall
While you'll turn to cold
And the colors on the ground
Are so bright and so bold
And I'll make no motion
You'll hold me tightly
I'll look at you
As you let me down lightly
The story always ends up like this
Another opportunity
That you're going to miss
So you write the title
And I'll write the chapters
We can read a story of a love gone disaster
You write the moral
And I'll write the lesson
And we can read a love that kept us guessing
But I know you so well
Ohh when are you gonna come around
Ohh but I know you soo well
When are you gonna come around
Ohh ohh ohh
Ohh ohh ohh
Ohh ohh ohh
You want it to be like this
Ohh ohh ohh
I see how it is
Another opportunity that you're
Gonna miss
The lyrics of Tristan Prettyman's song "The Story" illustrate the singer's insecurity about a relationship where she feels undervalued, as well as her frustration with the lack of progress in the romance. By saying "I'm the icing on the cake" and "the secret ingredient you're missing," she means that she sees herself as an asset in the relationship. Even though she acknowledges that she's not perfect ("I'm the sidewalk but I'm not complete"), she thinks she's the reason for her lover's struggles ("I'm the reason that baby, you're trippin"). However, her lover can't make up his mind or take a risk on them, leading her to feel disappointed ("decisions you didn't make, I'm the chance you chose, not to take") and wistful ("and I'm the one you wish you were kissing").
Despite her past disappointments, the singer remains open to the possibility of a happy ending ("pray for clear skies tonight, you better start wishin"). She suggests that she and her lover turn their relationship challenges into a story, with her as the author of the chapters that describe their ups and downs ("so you write the title, and I'll write the chapters"). While the relationship might have had its disastrous moments ("we can read a story of a love gone disaster"), the singer believes that there's a lesson to be learned from everything they've been through ("you write the moral, and I'll write the lesson"). At the same time, she acknowledges that their relationship might not always be about love and happiness ("my leaves will fall, while you'll turn to cold"), and that they may not end up together ("the story always ends up like this, another opportunity that you're going to miss").
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the icing on the cake
I am the final addition that completes something
I'm the secret ingredient you're missing
I am what you need for success or happiness
I'm the sidewalk but I'm not complete
I may be present, but something is missing or incomplete
And I'm the reason that baby, you're trippin
I am the cause of your confusion or frustration
Ohh decisions you didn't make
Regret for not making a certain decision or choice
I'm the chance you chose, not to take
I was an option, but ultimately not chosen
And I'm the one you wish you were kissing
I am the missed opportunity for affection or love
Pray for clear skies tonight
Hope for better or easier days ahead
You better start wishin
Encouragement to make a change or take action
So you write the title
You have control of the direction or outcome
And I'll write the chapters
I will make the contributions to the story
We can read a story of a love gone disaster
There is a story of a failed or destructive relationship
You write the moral
You decide the significance or lesson learned
And I'll write the lesson
I will provide my own take or opinion on the story
And we can read a love that kept us guessing
There is a story of love that was unclear or unpredictable
Cause I am in question
I am uncertain or doubtful
You are in reason
You are logical or rational
Soon this will change
There will be a shift or alteration in the situation
Just like the seasons
Similar to the natural cycle of seasons
My leaves will fall
I will experience a loss or change
While you'll turn to cold
You will become distant or unfeeling
And the colors on the ground
The aftermath or evidence of the situation
Are so bright and so bold
The impact or consequences are significant
And I'll make no motion
I will not do anything or make a change
You'll hold me tightly
You will cling to me or make an effort to keep me
I'll look at you
I will observe or acknowledge your actions
As you let me down lightly
You will disappoint or reject me in a gentle manner
The story always ends up like this
The outcome or ending is predictable or repetitive
Another opportunity that you're going to miss
Another chance or possibility that will not be taken advantage of
But I know you so well
I understand you completely or intimately
Ohh when are you gonna come around
When will you change or make a move
Ohh but I know you soo well
Despite this, I still know your tendencies
Ohh ohh ohh
Repetitive vocalization
You want it to be like this
This is what you desire or prefer
I see how it is
I understand the situation or reality
Another opportunity that you're gonna miss
Another chance or possibility that will not be taken advantage of
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tristan Prettyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind