Tristeza

San Diego's instrumental rock quintet Tristeza came together in 1997, drawing notice equally for steady road work and a steady stream of releases. Guitarists Jimmy LaValle and Christopher Sprague, keyboardist Stephen Swesey, bassist Luis Hermosillo, and drummer Jimmy Lehner had previously performed in groups including the Locust, Crimson Curse, Swing Kids, and Gogogo Airheart before cutting their first 7", Foreshadow/Smoke Through Glass. Three tours supporting that single turned it into a strong seller while demonstrating that the band's detailed, layered instrumental approach translated convincingly both live and on record.

Their debut album, 1999's Spine and Sensory, incorporated understated jazz touches. Ahead of another round of dates, the group issued an entry in the Insound Tour Support series of CD EPs designed to aid touring indie acts. Subsequent road work and the Macrame 7" further illustrated their rapid stylistic growth and growing electronic direction. They paused touring only to track Dream Signals in Full Circles in Chicago alongside the Pulsars' Dave Trumfio, with the album appearing on Tigerstyle Records in fall 2000.

In 2002 the band returned with Mixed Signals, a set of remixes drawn from Dream Signals. Swesey left that year and LaValle followed the next, prompting a hiatus while the remaining members rebuilt the lineup. Sean Ogilve on keyboards and Alison Ables on guitar joined by 2004, enabling Tristeza to complete the double album A Colores, which Better Looking Records released in November 2005.