Lila Tristram is bringing wholesome and honest folk to our ears, already sounding so self aware in her songwriting journey. Her first EP is named ‘Our Friends Pt.1’, which came out last month. Hearing her talk about the recording experience with her friends being so great just gives such special meaning to the title.
I asked Lila a few questions and I hope you enjoy reading her answers as much as I did!
What were your first memories of music growing up?
Growing up we had a small but mighty CD selection (which I’m pretty sure I still know all the words to) including Nina Simone, Sheryl Crow, Eva Cassidy and John Martyn.
Looking back I think I used playing music to help me when I was a child and struggling with my parents’ break up. I used to really love playing the piano and just losing myself in another world.
What songwriters do you look up to and what songs in particular by them stand out?
Joni Mitchell is my heroine. Something about her sincerity and ability to just cut straight to the point lyrically, not to mention the intelligence and innovation she put into her guitar playing. No matter how many times I listen to ‘Hejira’ as an album, it never fails to flaw me. I am very much a lyric person, and will hear most lyrics on the first listen. In terms of contemporary songwriters, and the songs which made them stand out to me, I’d say Adrienne Lenker/Big Thief (Orange), Mark Kozelek/Sun Kil Moon (You Are My Sun) and JFDR (My Work).
How does it feel to have this EP out? Must feel incredible that it’s out there for all to hear!
Amazing! ..sometimes I can get so driven and focused on what’s ahead that I often forget to appreciate where I’m at right now. But it does feel incredible! And slightly surreal. But mainly incredible. I just have so many memories of the creation of it; asking endless questions to Michael (who helped make the the thing! I will be endlessly grateful for his support with it), trying out different ideas, the breaking points, the recoveries and pep talks.. the making of Our Friends was a massive process for me, and the most exhilarating thing is that it kind of feels like the journey has only just begun.
What inspired the Our Friends Pt.1 EP and how many parts are there to this project?
The project has been inspired by so many things: conversations, albums, books, friendships and relationships I’ve had. There isn’t one theme per say, but there’s a lot in there about childhood, so I’d say that my experiences and musings looking back on that era have been a big part of it.
I’m going to make you wait to see what’s next, but I assure you that I’m even more excited about Pt II..!
How would you personally describe the EP and what it means to you?
Oh man. I’d say that Our Friends Pt I is.. well. I guess as an artist you’ll never really know what your audience truly gets from your work .. whether your intentions manage to seep through or if they experience something different. Honesty, I guess. That’s what, if I had to be specific about it, I would like to think that the EP expresses.
For me this EP is very cathartic. It has been from the moment I started writing the songs. That’s something else I really hope other people get from it.
Have you been writing recently and is it different to what we’ve heard from you so far?
F*ckin have! Oh yes. Yes, and yes. Both. My writing has become more refined I think. I’m learning to be more concise, and say more using less. I’m trying to cut straight to the point like Joni Mitchell. I’m writing a lot (I think if I haven’t been writing in a while I go a bit weird haha..) And I’ve been working a lot with Jamie Cameron (from the Last Dinosaur), who’s influence has really given my music a new sense of life.
What have you been listening to recently?
Recently I’ve been in a kind of self isolation group project with Jamie, Austin Basham, Alex Kozobolis and Jack in Water – we’re calling it ‘Isolation for Beginners’ (you can hear the fruits of our labour here https://soundcloud.com/isolationforbeginners). And one of my favourite things about being involved has been really intimately getting to know each of their music. So much talent! The mind boggles. I’ve also recently put together an isolation playlist (link will be at the bottom of the interview), which I’m updating over this crazy time.
How are you coping with this awful virus and what would you say to anyone who is struggling with the situation we find ourselves in?
Hmm.. it’s a pretty heartbreaking situation on a lot of levels. I guess I’m going through probably the same ups and downs (lots of downs) as everyone. There are so many people and things that I miss, not to mention the devastation to the music industry and the terror of not knowing how long it’ll go on for or how bad it’s going to get. The times where I manage to feel Ok (and the advice I’d give to other people) is when I’m fully in the present moment, focused on the task at hand and just locked into my own little world. Immersion in some sort of activity.. It’s certainly not easy though, and my heart goes out to those who are facing grief, and to the medics who are the soldiers on the front line.
Lila’s Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5aNE9ORiHZDeOx4p81C1nM?si=mbxqFLucRoq_Rr-P3pdI4Q
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