photo: Ariel Campbell
There's nothing like following an awesome band from the get-go, and I feel blessed to have known The Tryst since 2005. Though they've been together for five years, the band continues to pick up fans and blow people away - not only because singer Keli Carpenter and the guys are fabulous musicians that comprise one of the best bands in Tucson, but also because they are wonderfully awesome human beings.
In the early days of the band, the line up was Carpenter, Taylor Bungard (bass), Aldy Montufar (trumpet), Tristan Owner (guitar) and David Kyle on drums.
The show on Friday, May 7 at The Hut (305 N. 4th Ave.), Carpenter says, "is kind of a 'can't miss' show, especially for our old school and
Carpenter said the idea came up in when she was talking to Owner about the possibility of him moving out of Tucson to pursue higher education, which, she said, may not be happening at this point.
"Either way, it has been really awesome to reconnect with our old band mates...it's funny how much time passes but you get back in a room with 'em and the chemistry is still there, as if we had been transported back to three or more years ago. It's our last show for a few months as we are recording an album over the summer, we actually go up to Phoenix on the 8th to start the process."
"We are greatly looking forward to this show; it will give us a chance to perform some music that has fallen off our radar and even try some stuff never before performed. Also, through the set we plan on bringing in some of the newer members so that by the end of the show the stage will be filled with Trystians...ha!!"
Keli and I did a little Q&A via email about the band's history, its present and upcoming endeavors.
How has the band evolved over the years, i.e., line-up, sound, etc.?
We began as a five piece with one horn. After a few years and a couple of lineup changes including Erik Truelove on drums, my good friend Nick Johnson moved out to Tucson to play in the band, we added an additional trumpet and keys. The addition of the keys and extra juice on the horns really gave us some new freedoms with the way we write music...around the same time Aaron Hultstrand came in on guitar and further changed the definition of our sound with his lead guitar stylings, also Blaine Rrybke was now our full time drummer. Most recently, like in the last six months or so we were lucky enough to have come upon two more horn players: Dara Holmes on trombone and James Ball on saxophone. These cats are awesome and have been a part of many projects through the years and we feel extremely fortunate to have them. If ever we had some funk before, the addition of the horns is funk to the max.
How long has the current band been together & when did Tristan & David leave?
We have been playing eight strong for at least six months now; Dave left sometime in 2008 and Tristan in 2009.
What albums has the band released?
The first self-titled EP, out in 2005/2006, Thirsty World in 2008 and one on the way.
What are the band's plans for the summer, besides recording a new album?
We are deff gonna cut back on gigs, maybe a select few throughout the summer. Mostly woodshed and finish writing and recording the album, maybe some vacation time for us all.
Will the album be a full-length?
Indeed...10-12 tracks.
How long have y'all been working on the songs for the next album?
Awhile, we told ourselves we wanted to have about 20 songs written before we even start recording so that we can really put together the best of what we do.
Do you have a title for it yet?
Not yet...any ideas??
Do you have an estimated release date?
I am hoping in the fall; but at least the start of the year.
Where are you recording in Phoenix?
We are going up to the Phoenix Conservatory of Sound to record one if not two tracks for the album. We are flying in an amazing cello player that toured with us this past summer, Genevieve Norton, she's awesome!!
How many tours?
We have been on several weekend warrior tours which have brought us through Sedona, Flag and Jerome...one two-week Cali tour and one three-week south to east tour, last summer as a trio.
What were some of the bigger/more notable shows?
McDowell Mountain music fest was pretty awesome last spring; to share an arena with Michael Franti was kind of one of the biggest shows of my life - also playing in Lafayette Louisiana last summer was up there...Monterey, San Fran.
Anything else you'd like to add? Any cool or crazy stories from shows/tours/etc.?
Aww man, if I had a nickel for every crazy story we have had! I would say getting robbed on tour and then a small accident for the bus and a big head injury for Taylor somewhere in Atlanta last summer ranks pretty high. Also - the hijinks of our first Cali tour when just outside of Phoenix the bus breaks...Lazy Dazy (The Tryst bus) never did make it that year on tour.
Man, it's a family affair really and we feel lucky to get to do what we love and record and be a traveling band and to cultivate all of this in the town that we love so much.Listen to their tunes at www.myspace.com/wearetryst. Keli says - start the summer off right! Friday's show includes Michael P's Big Band. Cover is $5 and the tunes kick off around 9:30pm. Click on this sentence to view pics of The Tryst over the years.
