T R Y S T E – Vessel (2025)
Sometimes the ending of one thing can lead to the beginning of another – like the adage goes: “when a door closes, a window opens”. The saying encourages a search for new, possibly better opportunities, and singer-songwriter Gabriel Gaba took the reins with both hands and stepped through the window. Joined by musician John O’Kelly, the Dublin-based duo formed T R Y S T E – a band that, in their words, creates “emotionally heavy, heavy music”. This is our introduction to T R Y S T E, so join us as we delve into their new single, ‘Vessel’.
Following their singles ‘Pipe Dream’ and ‘The Long Journey’, Gaba and O’Kelly draw on 80s shoegaze in the new track, ‘Vessel’. A hypnotic blend of rhythmic guitars and haunting vocals, listening to ‘Vessel’ is like being set adrift on a mist-laden sonic river, entirely unsure what to expect but knowing it will be intriguing. Once you’ve left the shore, you glide softly; however, the tumultuous swirls beneath the glassy surface quickly twirl, and a ferocious wave rocks the boat. O’Kelly’s bold bass slices across with a soaring guitar pushing you along, and session musician Nicola Dusmanic enhances the heart-grabbing, stomach-swirling rush with powerful drums.
I find it particularly intriguing that Gaba and O’Kelly prefer to write in isolation, carefully crafting a song before demoing and production. It’s as if each places their particular mark on the single, offering a sense of individuality within the track while showcasing the camaraderie and innate understanding of each.
Melodically, ‘Vessel’ is a haunting song that, somehow, soothes your soul while whipping you about. Lyrically, the track is even weightier. Gabriel Gaba explains:
“’Vessel’ is the song I’d been trying to write all along… Lyrically, the song is about standing at a crossroads in life, deciding to cut and run and in the process save themselves, or if they should stay aboard this “vessel” and try to weather the storm… It’s about having integrity even at the worst possible situations.”
In addition to the single, T R Y S T E released an official music video for ‘Vessel’. You can view the video below and/or on their YouTube channel.
Find out more about T R Y S T E on their Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Old Crows Promotions.
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