Contest updates: U2/Africa winner, and a new one for the ladies with Tristan Prettyman
Thanks to everyone who submitted a story about Africa, U2 –or even Bonalmost– for the contest to win the In The Name of Love CD of U2 covers by African musicians.
Boyhowdy’s story was an early favorite (make your wife read that, boyhowdy!) and so many of you shared great tales of the ways U2 has been present at different memorable moments in your life. However the winner is Russell, because of the way I loved this paragraph he wrote about seeing U2 in 1980:
“There was real glory in an Edge solo – a dazzling scattering of light and energy that detonated dreams. Exhilaration. Running from that concert in the rain to catch a late night train remains vivid and gleaming: music mattered, life mattered. Everything was potentially magical.”
Russell, thanks, and let me know where to send the winnings. Enjoy.
NEW CONTEST: Tristan Prettyman is a musician from the San Diego area with a lovely sunrise homespun voice, and an approachable acoustic sound that I dig.
She’s designed a cool music-oriented tank top for the ladies, picturing the chord breakdown of her song “Hello” (the title track of her album, out this week). Stream the tune on her MySpace, and please leave me a comment if you’d like to win the shirt (via Elwood Clothing). The folks running the contest would like entrants to leave an email address to opt-in for Tristan Prettyman news in the future, but it’s up to you.
LISTEN: Here’s a cover Tristan did of French-Israeli artist Yael Naim‘s “New Soul” – that catchy ditty from the MacBook Air ad.
You’ll be “la la la“ing all day long.
New Soul (Yael Naim cover) – Tristan Prettyman
Also, you can stream the full album here, and her single “Madly” is the free iTunes download of the week.
Name: Heather Browne
I saw Tristan Prettyman open for Chris Isaak a year or two ago. She came out in a cute dress and flips, sat down with her guitar and proceeded to charm my socks off (well, if I wore socks with madras thongs, which, no). It didn’t hurt that she was so blatantly crushing on Mr. Isaak, which made her instantly relatable for me. Oh, and she did this accent. I’m not sure what she was going for, but it came off kinda like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. An earnest singer/songwriter with a winning personality? Yes, please.
Michael — April 13, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
I’m happy to be runner-up — Russell’s writing was much more vivid. More importantly, thanks for the excuse to reclaim some old memories, and thanks, too, to all those who wrote in to say kind things about it.
And kudos to you, Heather, for keeping us all thinking, reminiscing, and sharing. Keep up the great work!
boyhowdy — April 13, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
id love to be in a contest for a tristan shirt. i am a huge fan. seeing her in your blog makes me happy. alannagf17@hotmail.com
Alanna — April 14, 2008 @ 4:19 am
As fine as I am sure that shirt would look stretched across my manly pecs (alright boobs), I don’t think I need it.
Actually, just wanted to comment on Tristan’s voice. I enjoyed the sound of retrained power, kind of like a old school big block rumbling at a stop light. It doesn’t need to rev up for you to feel the horse power. The fun is wondering what will happen when it’s unleashed.
PS-That shirt would rock on my wife. Let me imagine that for a moment. Yes it would. cursedmonkeypaw@verizon.net
kired — April 14, 2008 @ 6:00 am
hey, count me in for the cool shirt contest! My wife would dig it. srslush@yahoo.com
Slush — April 14, 2008 @ 11:30 pm
Ooh! I “discovered” Tristan Prettyman last year, and I’ve been hooked ever since! I’d love a chance at winning the tank! Thanks! heypooks@gmail.com
Leslie — April 15, 2008 @ 8:25 am
I had to do a double-take when I saw Tristan’s new album cover on your blog. It’s so crazy and exciting that she’s beginning to get some attention in the music world these days. I’ve been listening to her for years now (ever since way back in the day when she was opening shows for Jason Mraz), and she’s really starting to come into her own as an artist. I’d love to be thrown into the shirt contest. Thanks! callingdownmoons@gmail.com
Shannon — April 15, 2008 @ 4:37 pm
I have had a monstrous girl-crush on Tristan for a few years now. I once was working as a hostess at HOB and got to seat her the night of one of her shows. Damn rules at HOB meant that I was not allowed to properly annoy her like I would have loved to
rmrosen@gmail.com
Rachel — April 15, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
my girlfriend loves Tristan Prettyman. Her birthday is coming up and that t-shirt would make her day (don’t worry I already bought her a few other gifts so it is not like i’m putting all my eggs in one basket, but anything Tristan Prettyman would really seal the deal!)
Jakob.Thesnake[at]gmail.com
Jakob — April 16, 2008 @ 6:36 am
La la lala…Tristan Prettyman rocks
Her voice reminds me of Feist a little, don’t you think?
Joanna — April 17, 2008 @ 7:39 am
I hope this contest is still going on! I’m slightly disappointed with her new album.. but I’m hoping it will grow on me.
Thanks!
pamelayu@gmail.com
Pamela — April 21, 2008 @ 1:43 am
Hey kids, Jakob won the random contest and I forgot to do a follow-up post. Thank you for playing!
heather — May 13, 2008 @ 6:37 pm