The Eighth Note is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians. A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music. Up next is Tristan Cordelia, who recently released her debut E.P.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
Hi I’m Tris, I create and perform gothic country rock under the name Tristan Cordelia (which is really just my full double-barrelled first name). I also produce dance metal. Basically if you can imagine someone who sings like Johnny Cash, plays guitar like grunge never went out of style, and dresses like sporty spice discovered heavy metal at Burning Man, that’s Tristan Cordelia.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
I’ve just released my debut EP, Time Will Ruin Everything, which is a brooding, self-excoriating acoustic record with lyrics vaguely reflecting all the things I did wrong in my 20s. I’m currently working on some breakcore tracks with a genderqueer message.
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
Facebook. Or just search Tristan Cordelia on Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube et al.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
Superunknown taught me how to play complex rhythms on guitar. Junkyard (by the Birthday Party) showed me what could be done with my limited vocal range, and opened my eyes to just how evilly electric guitars could twang. And I guess the first Spice Girls album for motivating me to question my gender identity.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I’m not sure that either Shihad or Beastwars count as Wellington bands nowadays, but I have a lot of respect for both of them and opening for either would be a dream come true. I had the privilege of being on the same bill as Danica Bryant at a gig last year and was absolutely blown away by her voice and songwriting. And there are a bunch of electronic producers I’ve met through the burner scene that I’d love to collaborate with if I wasn’t so shy.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Valhalla. That place has an awesome history and an extremely competent sound tech.
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
Usually I’ll come up with the lyrics as a poem expressing something that I want to say (usually about something terrible I did), and I’ll write a guitar riff completely separately, then one day I’ll realise that the two go together and then wham, jitterbug.
Where/when is your next gig?
Sometime after level 2? I’ve been a little too preoccupied with glitching up jungle breaks to book anything. I should probably get onto that eh.