FEATURES

Photo by Roy Ferrer
by Tom Lounges

   When she was first introduced to Midwest Beat readers back in 1998, this
writer strongly predicted that big things would lay ahead for the talented
Lansing teenager, Tristen Gaspadarek.

   In two years, the petite singer/songwriter has gone from being a visibly
nervous child covering Lisa Loeb songs like "Do You Sleep" and "It's Over"
at the Lisabet Coffeehouse "open mike" night, to boldly taking on the
national anthem at the U.I. C. Pavilion.

   These days, the 17-year-old diva in training uses only her first name (a
la Madonna, Jewel, etc.) professionally and is fast taking Chicagoland by
storm being a commercially viable package of perky cuteness, innocence and
vocal talent.

    Earlier this year, Tristen belted out a rousing version of the
"Star-Spangled Banner" at the U.I.C. Pavilion as the preempt to a UIC Flames
basketball game. She did such a great job, that she was invited to perform
two of her originals at the game's half time.

    Headlining shows at prestigious coffeehouses and clubs in Chicago has
garnered her a lot of media attention lately. A frequent guest on regional
radio and cable programs, Tristen has been featured as "Artist of the Week"
on Elgin's WJKL 94.3 FM.

    She was also bestowed with the same title on the internet station,
www.chicagogigs.com, where previous "Artist of the Week" honorees have
included such regional recording artists as Howard & The White Boys and The
Bad Examples.

     "I'm really pretty surprised at how things have been going," said
Tristen. "It's been a lot more work than I ever expected. Just doing what
we've done, makes me realize why big name artists have an army of managers,
producers and agents around them. You make a million phone calls just to get
a few things done."

    The hard road already experienced serves to inspire the young talent
rather than discourage. "My first CD got trashed in the 'Chicago Reader',"
she said. "Hey, it's gonna happen. Not everyone is going to like what you
do and that's fine, because others will. That review only makes me want to
work harder, because I'd like to become successful enough to make that writer
eat her words."

    Tristen recently followed up her 1998 four song, homemade demo CD with
Something Good, a professionally produced effort that features drummer Kyle
Woodring (John Mellencamp, Dennis DeYoung, etc.) and bassist Alan Berliant
(Claire Massey). Engineer David Axelbaum (Johnny Winter, Koko Taylor, etc.)
twisted the knobs on the project at Chicago's Sound Dog Studios.

     Since releasing her sophomore album in September, Tristen has added
21-year-old Munster, Indiana guitarist Kurt Miller to the mix, making her
live a trio.

    Tristen's manager/father and frequent songwriting collaborator, Charlie
Gaspadarek, performs with her as guitarist and backing vocalist. A player on
the local scene in the 1970s and 1980s, Charlie even did time with Five Guys
Named Moe.

         Feeling very blessed for the way her career has progressed in such a
relative short time, Tristen, returns to her hometown java joint, Lisabet's
Cafe, for the first time in over a year to help the less fortunate of her
community.

     "On November 17, we are going to do a show at Lisabet's to help generate
food donations for the Lansing Food Pantry," she said. "We are doing the
show for free and waiving a cover charge. But...if you want to attend, you
have to donated at least two non-perishable food items at the front door. I
hope that people will bring more than two items, so that we can make a big
difference in some people's lives this holiday season, but two is the minimum
donation."

     Joinin her on that special show will be Hammond's Drivin' Blind an
acoustic-rock trio whose songbook ranges from Sam Cooke classics to
contemporary hits by Ricky Martin and Madonna. They have a share of catchy
originals in their set as well.

    The person who donates the most food items at Tristen's November 17
benefit concert will win a special prize package from the Midwest BEAT
Magazine that includes a Beat t-shirt, a cool 22-CD "Steel Case" from CD
Projects and a few free CDs to put in it that night.

    For more info on this bright young talent, log on at: www.tristen.com