Tristeza is a California-based band, with most members currently living in Oakland, CA. 4 out of 5 current members are the parents of 5 daughters, with one son expected in 2011.
The band has drifted in and out of the scene for over 13 years, with their roots still firmly-planted in the underground.
Although the group formed in San Diego during 1997, no current members reside there.
The original line up was: Christopher Sprague, Luis Hermosillo, James LaValle, James Lehner, and Stephen Swesey. This line-up recorded all material that was released through 2003, including "Spine and Sensory(1999)" and
"Dream Signals in Full Circles(2000)".
In January of 2003, Tristeza played its last concert with Jimmy Lavalle as a main member, but he has joined the band occasionally since then to fill in on guitar and additional keys.
During 2004, they enlisted guitarist Alison Ables and keyboardist Sean Ogilvie to begin writing songs for "A Colores(2005)". This line-up recorded all material that was released during 2005-2006.
At the the start of 2007, the core of Tristeza(Sprague, Lehner, and Hermosillo) with the assistance of Ogilvie, began collaborating with various musicians around the Bay Area, including Camaron Stephens on guitar, and released the scarce/disjointed/lo-fi
"Fate Unfolds(2009)" mini album.
In 2010, Tristeza recorded their current album "Paisajes(2010)" with Tim Green who recorded the band's first album.
"Paisajes" features the band's current line-up: Christopher Sprague(guitar), Luis Hermosillo(bass), James Lehner(drums), Camaron Stevens(guitar), and Chris Hash(keys).
Tristeza have had the fortunate pleasure of playing in the following countries: U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Japan.
and have been lucky to share the stage with: Aluminum Group, American Analog Set, Bedhead, Black Heart Procession, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Blonde Redhead, Bobby Conn, Boris, Bright Eyes, David Pajo, The Faint, The For Carnation, Guided By Voices, Interpol, Jimmy Eat World, Karate, The Locust, Mono, Mouse on Mars, Parlour, Pinback, Rachels, Ted Leo, The Rapture, Three Mile Pilot, .Trail of Dead, Trans Am, Versus, Yo La Tengo, !!! and more.
