Cristina Bautista was 12 when her family left the east coast for Seattle. Swiftly making herself a presence in the Northwest music community, she fronted teenage pop bands before settling in as Visqueen’s bassist in 2009. Throughout this time, of course storms arrived. Cristina became a lightning rod. Misguided love, wanderlust, ambition and the rust of doubt, the ache to grow older followed closely by the turmoil of doing exactly that… All came like electric bolts, quietly passing through her into the ground below.
Bautista has begun to recover that electricity from the dirt. Together with Grammy nominated producer and arranger Phillip Peterson (Nada Surf, Brandi Carlile) and a luminous cast of Seattle guest musicians, Cristina Bautista has made the Gold Parts EP. A six-song tribute to growing strong instead of disappointed, Gold Parts reconciles the innocence and urgency of youth with the patience and pain of growing up. The resulting indie rock swings deftly from celebration to regret to triumph. Proudly confessional, Cristina’s voice is sweet and openly hopeful before a backdrop of driving beats, gritty guitars and the occasional flood of ornate strings. At once familiar and refreshing, the songs are an invitation to find the glowing voltage beneath your own feet and grow old enough to be young.
PRESS
“a hard-driving, defiant punch of power pop. She’s not taking any sass.” – Julia Mullen Gordon, SEATTLE WEEKLY
“an addicting pop record full of guitar-driven melodies, vocals saturated with confidence…” – Megan Seling, THE STRANGER
“pint size energy and incredible ease and authority…” – Jason Friendt, SEISMIC SOUND
“a powerhouse on bass and vocals with just enough growl to make the songs edgy.” – Lisa Knight, RANDOMVILLE
You sure like to read.
The Stranger’s review of the Gold Parts EP
Seattle Weekly feature
Innocent Words interview
Seismic Sound Rad Libs