I’d like to introduce you to this new project we’re working on.  It’s called ‘Living Room Sessions.’ What happens is, I play a song that’s been already written by someone else (preferably a popular one) and put my own spin on it, then put it on YouTube.

The idea behind it was of course to help spread the word about Duende and Purple (out very soon) but also as a bit of a weekly homage or acknowledgement to some of the artists that I look up to.

Plus, it’s fun.

Our first episode was a rendition of Bon Iver & St. Vincent’s “Roslyn” which was written for the new Twilight movie.  Our video coincided nicely with the movie’s international release and in just a couple of weeks, we’ve eclipsed the 25,000 mark, a number that laps several times our next most viewed video.  Coupled with a few marriage proposals and a hundred incredibly flattering comments, we’re humbled by its immediate success.

Our next two episodes (Cornerstone by the Arctic Monkeys and Here Today from Paul McCartney) though not on such a torrid pace are doing nicely, and I think we’re all pretty happy about the exposure these performances create for our original music.

So if you’re one of the 25,000, thank you for bringing what is, by the numbers, the greatest success we’ve had in our young career. Everyone has to start somewhere and we are so glad you’re along for the ride.

: ) T ( :

Just got back from NYC.  Although it was certainly nice to see some old friends, it was a business trip.  We had a few meetings and attended a conference with Clive Davis, which was definitely interesting.

He told a very cool story about how he was shown “Game of Love” by one of his writers in a hotel in London. When he got back to the states, he gave the song to Macy Gray.  She did a version that no one was really pleased with.  Then Tina Turner had a crack at it.  Eventually, it went to Michelle Branch and Santana who did a fantastic job (and won a Grammy) but Clive played all three tracks to A/B (and C) it.  The other two versions were never released even though Clive thought that Tina’s version was the best. (I disagree. I think Branch nailed it.)

It was a cool evening and a great trip overall (the Yankees winning the World Series just up the street didn’t hurt either.)

Supermodel Cintia Dicker was on my flight back.  We chatted for a while and she ended up proposing right there on the spot but I told her I don’t really do Brazilian girls. 

The Cat5 Showcase and the 19-One Art Showcase were a blast. It was the first time I had played by myself in a while and it was a nice change of pace.  Each event was attended by well over a hundred people and I got to try out my brand new guitar, a white ’62 vintage reissue strat.

I performed a few songs from Duende and worked in two Arctic Monkeys tunes at the latter gig as well as a Judy Garland tune that I first heard Jeff Buckley perform called “The Man That Got Away.”

Halfway through the set, I introduced the crowd the my new guitar and told them that, like a ship, every guitar needs a name.  At the merch table, we had a suggestion box and the person who suggests the best name for the guitar won a Tristan & the Juice t-shirt.  Here’s some of what we got.  Go ahead, guess the winner…

What Would You Have Chosen?

Hiya.

It’s with great sadness that I write to you today.  No, no one’s died.  No, Colin hasn’t quit the band…yet.  I’m afraid to say that I writing today to inform you that Purple EP has been delayed.

Before I give you the normal prerequisite bullshit about us taking our time and really squeezing everything we’ve got into the album (of course we are, every artist should), I want to say that it’s simply because we can’t compete with American Idol compilations or another Harry Connick Christmas album.

See, we’re small time.  We rely on word of mouth and blog and magazine reviews.  Can’t really create a buzz in a sea full of noise, ya know? So we’re going to wait until the first or second week in January.  We feel really good about this album and we also feel it deserves its own spotlight.

The same promotional deal exists though.  The album will only be available for download on this site for the first month and you can pay what you want for it.

In Juice news, we were all really happy when Jorge, the manager of the once-beloved-now-defunct, Eleven Leprechauns called up and said he was resurrecting the location under the new name “Chicago’s Tavern” and offered us another residency.  I know Colin, Sean, Phil and I always had fond memories of the place and we’re excited to start another tradition there.  Our first show is next Friday, the 30th of October.

We’re also pleased to be doing a benefit concert for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital on October 27th at The Rock at UM.  If you haven’t already, please take a look at that place and see why it’s one of the greatest places in the world and deserves your donation.

Ta ta for now.
T