INTERVIEW: Teischa releases video for stunning new single 'be alone': "This next collection of music feels the most true to me so far."
West Australian artist Teischa recently returned with the stunning single ‘be alone’, her first new music of 2020, and today she releases the music video.
‘be alone’ marks a change of sonic direction for Teischa. Known for her electronica which is often left-of-field and challenging traditional pop structures, the new single is a beautifully stripped back, semi-acoustic guitar ballad with moving lyrics and an emotive vocal performance from Teischa. While it may be a new sound for Teischa, it still retains her hallmark experimentation with quirky, Foley inspired percussion scattered throughout the track, constantly delighting the ears.
Today Teischa releases the music video for ‘be alone’, directed by Luna Laure (Jack River, Kllo, Paige Valentine), which explores humankind’s increasing dependence on technology and how we can feel connected even when we’re physically distant. "I was in a long distance relationship for a couple years and a lot of that time was spent looking at his face, as well as my own reflection, over FaceTime,” Teischa says. “The ‘be alone' clip is based around the idea of modern love through technology, how we’ve learnt how to feel close to people who are far away and finding comfort in the distance.”
We recently caught up with Teischa to chat more about ‘be alone’ and her music.
Hi Teischa! So good to chat with you. How is everything in your world right now?
I think everyone can relate to things feeling pretty weird right now but in the scheme of things, I’m very lucky to be hibernating in WA and staying creative.
Congratulations on the release of your new single ‘be alone’, it is an absolutely beautiful track. Can you talk us through the inspiration behind this song?
Thank you! So glad you’ve been enjoying it! The inspiration behind this song quite simply stems from the fear of being alone. I would say it’s my most vulnerable writing to date and was definitely a therapeutic process of just getting some shit off my chest that I’d been holding on to for a while.
I understand this is a song/demo that was written several years ago that you recently ‘rediscovered’. Can you tell us a little about that experience?
Yes! It was one of those songs that sat as a demo on our hard drives for at least two or three years, maybe even more. I remember randomly listening to it one night, years later, having grown up a little (a lot) with a few more life experiences under my belt, just being in a very different space mentally, and it just hit me real hard.
You know when you hear those songs that just perfectly explain where you’re at in your life and it almost shocks you a little bit that someone else could be feeling the same shit you are? I kinda did that to myself with this song. It’s like I didn’t need to finish it back then but needed to go through whatever it was life was going to throw at me over that time period then I was ready to dive back into it. It’s crazy how songs can have that kind of power over you and really contain such a life of their own.
How does the finished version of the track differ from that original demo?
Sonically it’s not all that different but we definitely spent some time with the lyrics and added the outro/post-chorus part which is my favourite moment in the song.
There is a subtle change in your sound with this track, it is a full-blooded piano ballad but still with hints of electro in the background. Is it important for you as an artist to develop and mix up your sound?
Definitely! I used to have such a fear of moving out of my moody, dark pop comfort zone but stepping out of that bubble definitely opens your mind to so much more, which makes the process of creating so much more exciting.
This song is the first from a bigger project you have coming later this year, can you tell us more about that?
This next collection of music feels the most true to me so far. The kind of songs i would put on in my car and vibe out to myself. I’ve really developed so much trust within the people I collaborate with and that’s been so rewarding for me and seems so throughout this new music.
Who are the musicians who have been an inspiration to you, both when you were a kid, and today as a professional musician?
As a songwriter some artists i admire would include Frank Ocean, James Blake, Lianne La Havas and Sampha. the list could go one but those are the first that come to mind. I’ve always been super interested in story telling but with a twist. something that challenges your ears while listening, but keeps you drawn in through the words.
You are playing a live show in WA at the end of August for the single launch. Will this be your first show post-coronavirus pandemic, and how do you feeling about getting back on stage?
I’ve played a couple of very low-key, intimate gigs over the last couple of weeks but this will be our first proper post-corona headline show. It feels so so good to be able to get back on stage. a little bittersweet as i’m still thinking of all my fam and friends in Melbourne and all over the world still in intense lock down. It’s definitely a reality check as to how lucky we are over here.
There has long been a gender imbalance in the music industry with female artists not always getting the respect they deserve, stemming from an industry where the power lies disproportionally with white, straight men. What are your thoughts on sexism and gender equality in the music industry?
*deep breath*! Gender imbalance is still alive and well. I’ve experienced it as have plenty/the majority of women in this industry. I try and focus on the fact that change is coming. We have a looooong way to go but has been empowering to watch women pushing boundaries and being the change we need to see - women being strong and holding their own in all areas of the music industry both those in the spotlight and those behind the scenes. .
What else is on the agenda for Teischa in 2020?
Releasing more new music over the next coupe of months as well as playing shows across WA. excited to share more soon!
’be alone’ by Teischa is out now. You can download and stream here.
To keep up with all things Teischa, you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook
Teischa is performing at Mojo’s Bar, Fremantle on August 29. Tickets are on sale now.
