"With the latest album, I really tried to write from my roots," Bristow said from the family home in Gore yesterday.
"I live in America and everyone's writing about Memphis and Alabama and wherever and I thought the only thing that's going to make me unique is that I'm a Kiwi from the South of New Zealand.
"There's heaps of New Zealanders and Australians when I lived in LA, but in Austin I've only met one other Kiwi and one Australian, so that's quite good for me."
Bristow recorded and co-produced her latest CD, Freedom, in Austin, Texas. Musicians on the album include J. J. Johnson (John Mayer), Mark Punch (Kasey Chambers), Chris Maresh (Eric Johnson), Matt Fell (Josh Pyke), Jeff Young (Steely Dan), Clayton Doley and Rob Woolf (Jimmy Barnes).
She takes her new songs and old favourites around New Zealand in a 13-gig series of solo acoustic performances. The tour stops by Waitiri Creek Winery, in Gibbston, tomorrow from 4pm to 6pm.
Wine manager Jason Moss said yesterday the show was limited to 30 so patrons could feel a part of what Bristow did.
Only five tickets were left last night, and were available for $80 each only from the winery, before the gig. The ticket included a complimentary drink and tapas-style menu.
Bristow said she would give a portion of her gigs' proceeds to the Canterbury quake appeal.
"It's just something I can do for the people of Christchurch who have been shaken and had their lives turned upside down by his event," she said.
Bristow opened for Opshop at the Zoo in Auckland earlier this year and with interest building in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, she will be back doing gigs and supporting the All Blacks around the country this time next year.
