We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tristen Gressett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tristen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I took a risk. I spent my whole life in Pell City Alabama- a relatively small town in the heart of the state. I never knew much else besides Alabama, some of Georgia, and of course Tennessee. The stories of my Moma’s travels across the U.S. always fascinated me. I dreamed of those journeys as a child. Fast forward to 2022- where I had found myself on a show called American Idol, where I made it to Top 11. My dreams were huge, and after being around such a strong dynamic of music scenes, being exposed to the heart of the industry, and finding myself as an artist- I knew what I needed to do. After my run on the show was up, I spent the next couple of months making one of the biggest decisions in my entire life. To take a risk. To leave the only place I have ever called home in pursuit of something that I believed in. Over the course of a week, me & my Moma traveled across the country from little ole Pell City to Los Angeles California, where I would find my place in the world as a musician. Of course, after our journey was over, she flew back to Alabama and let me in turn, spread my wings. Over the course of the travels, and in my eventual settlement, I wrote the album “Hello California” a statement of what my experiences have been. It is a testament to my journey & to my future. It was created so that people could understand & feel understood. To sympathize & empathize. It is who I am- and to be put quite simply- it is the result of a risk.
Tristen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My story begins with my Moma. Through my whole life she has encouraged whatever dream I had- whether it had been becoming an astronaut, or writing the next best-selling novel- and she was the first to tell me I could do it. In my younger years, I always had a love of performing. From school plays, to playing a recorder for a classroom, I enjoyed every chance I had to perform. So around freshman year of High School when I got my first guitar, it took over my life. Within four months I was already playing shows at the local bars in town. It had grown into something much more spectacular than a hobby. It became a dream. Through my high school years, I would always be seen walking around with my guitar. It was my best friend. I woke up playing & went to sleep playing. My fascination with artists like Hendrix, Bob Dylan, & Neil Young grew into the foundations of the musician I wanted to become. I spent most all of my weekends playing shows. As I got older- about 17- I auditioned for “American Idol.” I got all the way to Top 11, and it changed my entire perspective. I knew then my purpose, & what I had to do to make the impact that I wanted to make in the world. In August of 2022 when I was 18, I moved to Hollywood to pursue my dreams. When I got out here I had planned to be in a movie & to move into an apartment- both I had found out, didn’t exist. I have spent the last year finding my footing and growing into the artist I am now. I have written an album titled “Hello California” which is the result of turning my life into song. It is a tale of hope, determination, & resilience. I hope to be a personification of those very words, and to prove that dreams should never just be dreams, but realities.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I had first arrived to LA, I was scheduled to view an apartment that I was supposed to rent out. When we got to the address- which was the result of week long cross-country expedition- it was quickly apparent that the individual had no genuine intent to rent me out the space, only in delivering an empty promise fueling the excitement of a young man. Of course this was a huge set back- but it did not deter me from my destiny- for I still had the opportunity to star in a Television series! A series which I had come to find was also just as inviting as the apartment. So there I was- a mess of an 18 year old with dreams stretched out in front of me at arms reach calling to me, teasing me while dancing around me. But I didn’t let this send me back home. I continued to strive in the face of hardship. With help of my Moma, and an LA native by the name of Michael Villar (A phenomenal actor & human being whom I met by complete chance during my time on the show) I was able to find an apartment & to begin truly navigating my way through the Hollywood scene. But even after this was accomplished, I faced heartbreak. I had been in a relationship for almost two years when I moved, and a little over a month after I did, it ended. All of this is what truly taught me resilience. I overcame, and turned my troubles into song. And the rest is History. Since, I have made so many amazing friends, and have learned SO many lessons about the career I’m pursuing. If it wasn’t for staying true to my path, I wouldn’t have written half the songs on my album, nor would I have learned what I have.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I would say that my overall goal is to deliver people music that makes them feel understood. I want people to hear music that is real & honest. That’s the kind of music I feel gets rarer & rarer everyday. I want to transcend people into a world of their own, & give them an undeniable experience. As for my personal goals. I want to buy my Moma a pink Cadillac. She has been the number one supporter of my life. As a single mother she has done everything in her power to give me & her the best life possible. I want to do the same for her.
Contact Info:
- Website: Tristengressettmusic.com
- Instagram: Tristen Gressett (@tristengressettmusic) • Instagram photos and videos https://www.instagram.com/tristengressettmusic/
- Facebook: Tristen Gressett Music – Facebook https://m.facebook.com/tristengressettmusic/
- Linkedin: Tristen Gressett – Musician – Self Employed – LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristen-gressett-0742b6263
- Twitter: Tristen Gressett (@tristengressett) / X https://twitter.com/tristengressett?lang=en
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tristengressettofficial?si=CUI16lObbDkrOgDc
- Other: Tristen Gressett | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/4z8ozapNXoRYHJWFxItqhU