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.
When It Rains
Tristan Prettyman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm so impatient
Maybe I just don't care, about what you think
cause I can never please her
No matter how hard I try
You know sometimes I just wanna throw up my hands and say
"ok fine"!
But life's to short she said
If it works then it works, let it go
And I'm sorry I ever got you started
When it rains, it pours and it shows
I was blessed with a birth and a death
And a gift or a curse somewhere in between
Cause your only as loud as the noises you make
And as big as the things that you dream
still I can never please him
No matter how hard I try
And maybe you should have made up your mind
Before I changed mine
but life's to short she said,
If it works then it works, let it go
And I'm sorry I ever got you started
When it rains it pours and it shows
still life's to short she said
If it works, then it works, just let it go, let it go
Well I'm sorry I ever got you started
When it rains it pours and it shows
Tristan Prettyman's "When it Rains" is a song that reflects on relationships and the struggles that come with them. The first verse suggests that the singer is undergoing a transformation that may be making them more irritable, apathetic, or discontent with the opinions of their partner. They express that they feel like they cannot please their partner, regardless of their efforts, and sometimes just want to give up. The chorus seems to be advice given to the singer by someone else, urging them to let things go when they aren't working out. The next verse utilizes a metaphor about life being a gift and a curse, containing both ups and downs. The singer expresses frustration with their partner's inability to be satisfied despite their attempts at change, and suggests that perhaps their partner should have made a choice before they themselves changed. The chorus repeats, with the advice to let things go and not hold onto failed relationships.
The song has a melancholic but hopeful feel, with its acoustic guitar and simple melody. Prettyman's vocals add a sense of vulnerability, especially during the repetition of the chorus. The lyrics themselves balance the emotional toll of disappointment and heartbreak with the understanding that sometimes it is best to move on. Overall, "When it Rains" captures the complexity of romantic relationships that can be difficult to articulate.
Line by Line Meaning
Maybe I'm changing
I am going through a transformation.
Maybe I'm so impatient
I struggle with waiting and want things to happen quickly.
Maybe I just don't care, about what you think
I do not worry about your opinion or judgment.
cause I can never please her
No matter what I do, she is not satisfied.
No matter how hard I try
I put in a lot of effort.
You know sometimes I just wanna throw up my hands and say
I feel like giving up.
"ok fine"!
I surrender or give in to avoid a conflict.
But life's to short she said
She expressed that life is too brief to be upset or bothered.
If it works then it works, let it go
If something is successful, there is no need to change it.
And I'm sorry I ever got you started
I feel guilty for causing any trouble or issues.
When it rains, it pours and it shows
Problems come all at once, and it is noticeable.
I was blessed with a birth and a death
I am thankful for having a beginning and an end.
And a gift or a curse somewhere in between
I have positive and negative experiences in life.
Cause your only as loud as the noises you make
The stronger the impact or influence you have, the louder you appear.
And as big as the things that you dream
Your ambitions and aspirations determine your greatness.
still I can never please him
No matter what I do, he is not content.
Maybe you should have made up your mind
You should have decided earlier.
Before I changed mine
Before I changed my stance or opinion.
still life's to short she said
She reiterated that life is brief.
If it works, then it works, just let it go, let it go
Successful things should be accepted as they are.
Well I'm sorry I ever got you started
I still feel bad for initiating any problems.
When it rains it pours and it shows
Difficulties come in abundance and are obvious.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tristan Prettyman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yoshtodd
One of my favorite songs... thanks for upload.
@Daniel-uw7sz
Ugh, I cannot find this song anywhere, and it is one of my favorites! Does anyone know where I can get it?
@stefaniestephens6523
Still waiting for it to hit spotify!!!