PRESPRING 2021: SALT AIR
Inspired by mornings @ the beach and the foggy, fresh, salty haze. Crisp colors + new treatments. Hold The Ocean Close To Your Heart. Welcome to Salt Air.
PHOTOS: BRAD COHEN
Aday in the life of singer, songwriter & mama, Tristan Prettyman @tristanprettyman. She opened up her house to our team, she sang to us, played guitar and even made us the most delicious smoothie, all while rocking our new Salt Air collection.
ER: Hi! Wellness and mindfulness seem like they play a really important role in your day to day - can you tell us a bit about how you found yourself drawn to introducing those practices into your rituals, and which moments feel the most grounding or fulfilling to you?
TP: I'm a gemini, so naturally I tend to be a little all over the place, like one of those inflatable dancing tube figures you see outside the carwash. When I was in my 20’s I would tell myself I didn't have the attention span for things like yoga and meditation, but as certain events happened in my life (breakups, career hiccups, touring/travel, etc.) I felt that even more when I had my son, it became clear to me that in order to show up and be the kind of present, patient, loving mom I knew I wanted to be, I also had to honor all the things that nourish me and fill up my cup.
ER: Being a mom and an artist, how do keep up your creative energy and find the time to work on what fulfills you
TP: Since becoming a mom, my creative flow is definitely a bit choppy. Things take longer. Lots of pausing and stopping. At first it was frustrating because I rarely had these long windows to create and let my mind wander. After my son was born, it became an hour here, 30 minutes there. I had to reframe my expectations and be open to this new way of how the creative expression was going to come through. Boundaries are a good place to start. I end up saying no to a lot of things so that I can work in my studio when my son is at school. I try to remember that I toured for 15 years straight and these moments with my son are happening in the now and I won’t get them back, as parents we don't get make up days. I am fortunate to not have a more traditional 9- 5 job that keeps me away from him most of the day. I also try not to “should" all over myself, as my friend Tricia Huffman talks bout in her upcoming book F The Shoulds, it’s easy for me to beat myself up for not being more creative or producing more content. One thing I know is that that the creative flow cannot be forced, and I know that the most beautiful creations come from the experiences we have when we are fully immersed in life, living and aligned with our authentic wants.
ER: Tell us a bit about growing up in Encinitas, how did surfing and the beach play a part in your family's life and yours?
TP: I grew up in what's now called Carmel Valley, just south of Encinitas and east of Del Mar. It was about 15 min to the beach which was awesome. The high school I went to offered Surf PE, that was pretty epic to wake up and go straight to the beach and surf for the first 2 hours of your day before going to class on campus. My whole family surfed, my dad taught me when I was about 11. I haven’t stopped since. Music and surfing are probably the only two interest that have actually stuck since I started. Growing up we were always at the beach, running free and wild playing on the sand and boogie boarding our faces off. There’s so many studies out on how beneficial grounding is and being barefoot in nature and I can’t help but think how lucky and wonderful that was to be able to grow up barefoot, bored at the beach for most of my childhood.
ER: Tell us about the projects you have coming up! We're so excited to hear some new music!
TP: Oooh so many things in the works. I feel like I have multiple projects going on right now. Lots of ideas brewing. But over all, I am always working on new music. Right now i'm exploring with a more programmed electronic sound. I have always loved lounge-chill vibes, beats and hip hop. But I also really love super quiet cozy folk songs. I really want to put together a kids album at some point, and an instrumental meditation/medicine journey album, and am digging collaborating with other artists as well. Im kinda just feeling into where music wants to take me at the moment. I can easily get into that mode of should - I should be making this kind of music, writing this kind of song, etc. But I am trying to just be open and cultivate that stillness so that whatever wants to come through can come through. When it comes to music, I always keep it authentic. I have never been into cranking out songs just to stay current or relevant. I feel super grateful my fans are down to drift with me wherever I go, if I wanna go color outside the lines, they seem to embrace it rather than want to keep me the same as I have always been.
Shot on location in Encinitas by Brad Cohen
Hair and Makeup by Sabrina Bates-Whited
Explore Tristan Prettyman on Spotify + Instagram
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