BEYOND THE NOTES
“DAMN!” lyric video
March 14, 2025 | Hailey Benzvi
The journey from fan to artist is a dream for many aspiring musicians, but for Tristan, it's her reality. After spending her early years immersed in music fandom, she now finds herself headlining her own shows. With her successful, first-ever headline performance last month at El Cid and her highly anticipated new single “DAMN!” released on March 14, it's clear that Tristan's trajectory in the music world is accelerating.
Tristan's love for music was always more than just a hobby—it was her lifeline. From childhood, she was waiting in concert lines, the first to jump in when an artist she loved came to town. "I was always the girl waiting outside the concert all day to be in the front, and I would make friends with the other girls in line," she said. "I've been a fan girl my entire life, so anytime anyone is excited about anything I'm doing or will write me a letter, it still does not feel normal."
Her experiences as a fan of artists such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and later, Billie Eilish and Holly Humberstone have shaped how she connects with her audience today. "Taylor's writing influences me a lot. And then, Ariana is also an incredible songwriter, but her production, the way she stacks her vocals and all of that stuff influences me a lot," Tristan said.
Tristan's strong presence on TikTok has been one of the key factors in the rapid rise of her career. Since college, she's posted consistently, building a loyal fanbase from the ground up. "I wouldn't have any of my current life if it weren't for TikTok," Tristan said. "I, when I was in college, decided I would start posting every day, and I pretty much have done that ever since; obviously, now not as much, but that's how anyone has found me, how any of this has happened…I do music as a job. Before, I was just doing it for fun in my room, and that's all because of TikTok."
Even with TikTok's previous uncertainty, Tristan remained pragmatic. "It feels strange thinking about promoting without TikTok, but maybe that's a good thing," she reflects. "It could push artists to explore other ways to connect with people. I'm excited to see how things evolve."
Tristan recently achieved a major milestone by headlining her first show at El Cid on February 17, 2025. Although she hadn't headlined before, her experience performing as an opener for artists such as Annika Bennett and Julia Ivy prepared her for this next step.
While opening for other artists, Tristan had the chance to learn how to engage with crowds who may not have been familiar with her music. "Singing about my innermost feelings and struggles and being an opener where the audience isn't there for me and doesn't know me, I had to rework the way that I performed and felt about being on stage. I have been so lucky to open for friends," she said.
With “DAMN!” releasing March 14, Tristan continues to evolve musically. The track showcases her growth as an artist, moving past the more pop-centric sound of her earlier work to a style that feels more raw, less defined by genre, and more authentically her own. The new single feels like a reflection of the experiences that shaped it—experiences that include heartbreak, healing, and finding her true voice.
For Tristan, connecting with fans is a key part of her artistry. Her recent park show in August 2024, which she hosted with friends Lindsey Lomis and Devon Gabriella, was a more intimate way of interacting with her audience. "Park show was so fun," she recalls. "We had no idea that it would be what it was. We all were just kind of bored over the summer and didn't have much going on. And we were like, what's something we could do together?" They decided on a picnic show in the park, having fans RSVP, but she didn't expect much. "We were setting up our little picnic blankets and had our guitars and stuff, and then this whole herd— a whole army of girls started walking through the park toward us, and we're like, woah," she adds.
As her career continues to flourish, Tristan's ability to make each fan feel seen and heard remains at the heart of her artistry. "Every interaction still blows my mind," she said. "I remember meeting a fan in CVS for the first time and being awkward. Now, when I see them at shows, it's like we're old friends."
Tristan has a busy year ahead with her debut album on the horizon. She's working on finishing the album while also hoping to hit the road for more performances.
For now, though, Tristan is enjoying the moment. From a fan girl in the crowd to headlining her own show, her journey is a testament to the power of hard work, passion, and staying true to oneself. And with her new single, “DAMN!” out now, it's clear that this is only the beginning for Tristan.
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