Q&A with transformative ambient musician Tristan Eckerson

Image credit: Sandlin Gaither

Composer and visual artist Tristan Eckerson has shared his new EP Iris Arco, a four-track piano odyssey that quiets down the time for its duration. In recent years, the musician has released four albums via 1631 Recordings, which have represented acts like Nils Frahm, Hauschka, and Dustin O’ Halloran. With an affinity for digital design, Tristan creates mesmerizing simplistic visual album imagery and EP artworks. A man of many talents, the musician is known to mix, master, and record all of his work independently. Tristan is definitely an act to support, with his dedication and drive for the craft.

We chatted with Tristan Eckerson, to get more insight into his world.

Sum up your year so far in two words.

Upside down.

Tell us more about how your latest/upcoming release was conceptualised?

I have two upcoming releases- an album of solo piano improvisations, and an album of ambient work which will be released under my Purple Decades moniker. I don’t really conceptualize things as an artist, maybe I should… I mostly just sit down and start making music and see where it takes me. That was definitely the impetus behind the improvisations album. To bring a little more improv, jazz, and stream of consciousness type of playing to the world of contemporary classical piano music. With my ambient project Purple Decades I’m going much more for a vibe and aesthetic. Something that is immersive and focuses a lot on sound design and an aural environment, as opposed to strictly playing and composition.

Describe a typical day in your studio space.

I go into my studio, turn everything on, and then I make music for as long as I can.

What are the most important pieces of equipment for you?

I would say everything starts with the piano, and after that my computer and recording software. I have a big, old, heavy digital piano that I use for a piano/midi controller. It has no nobs, pads, or anything- just keys. And then I use Logic as a DAW. Within that, I use a lot of Native instruments plugins, and then Izotope for mixing and mastering. And that’s typically about it.

Describe what an ideal day would be for you?

It would involve me being on a beach somewhere, in a place where it never gets cold.

Do you have a favourite memory of your career so far that you will take with you forever?

One time I wrote string arrangements for a band I was playing with, and the Magik*Magik Orchestra recorded them at Tiny Telephone studios in San Francisco. I got to be in the studio and watch it happen. That was pretty cool. I also went to Hungary a few years ago and played a concert at David Klavin’s studio, on his Una Corda piano. Those are the two that stick out the most for me. Oh, and one time Jerry Harrison from the Talking Heads was at one of our concerts and he watched me play, and then we talked about keyboards for a while. That was pretty memorable since he’s a big musical hero for me.

Who is your musical guilty pleasure?

I wouldn’t say I’m guilty about it, but I love pop sometimes. Currently cycling through a playlist of The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Lorde, Billie Eilish, etc.

What can we expect from you in the near future?

I have two albums that will come out in 2022. One is solo piano improvisations, and the other is ambient, which will be released under my Purple Decades moniker. After that, I’m going to immediately focus on creating contemporary classical work for a larger ensemble.

EP track ‘Iris’ features on the Spotify playlist CHILL_GROUND.fm