WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELSĀ - PHOTOGRAPHY PAIGE STRABALA
A romantic at heart, there wouldn't be any other day more fitting for LA-based singer-songwriter Tessa Rae to release her latest single "Sweetly, Softly" than on Valentine's Day (February 14th). The track possesses a delicate and ethereal feel, reminiscent of a lullaby that transports listeners into a dreamlike, timeless realm - a sentiment echoed in the accompanying video directed by Oliver Pearson.
F Word's editor-in-chief, Maisie Daniels, had the opportunity to delve into the creation of "Sweetly, Softly" and understand why this indie-pop artist holds onto this song so dearly, along with exciting discussions about an upcoming EP, and much more!
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Maisie Daniels: Hey Tessa, welcome to F Word! Talk us through a typical day in LA?
Tessa Rae: I love waking up to my dog and my cat. In an attempt to stay sane I like to journal first and clear my head - these morning pages are inspired by the book The Artistās WayĀ which I recommend to any creative. I love a good workout before escaping into a music session.
MD: Whatās been bringing happiness to your days lately?
TR: Iāve been getting better at clearing my physical space which helps with mental blockages. Things as simple as burning incense or lighting a candle can work wonders! Iāve also recently taken a music course with the songwriter Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief which has been incredibly inspiring.Ā
MD: Congratulations on the new single āSweetly, Softlyā why did you choose Valentine's Day for its release?Ā
TR: Though I can be quite cynical when it comes to love, I am a hopeless romantic at heart so Valentine's Day felt like a sweet way to set the tone for a song about pure romance.Ā
MD: The single is beautifully cinematic and is calling out to be in a coming-of-age Indie film!Ā What film would you have loved to see this track feature in growing up?
TR: Thank you! Wow, I could envision this song in a film like Brokeback MountainĀ - there is so much internal and external conflict when it comes to love in that film which is very potent in āSweetly, Softlyā - it's all about the juxtaposition of desire and fear that come along with such extreme intimacy.Ā
MD: The video is wonderfully dreamlike with a nostalgic feel throughout. Can you expand on the decision to shoot it on film?
TR: I met the director, Oliver Pearson, through a friend of a friend. We got together for a smoothie and some vintage shopping and quickly became fast friends. Oliver was really set on shooting the video completely on film which I admired. He wanted to evoke a dreamlike feel as if my lover was dreaming of me!Ā I thought it would help evoke the timelessness within the song so I was all for it.Ā It felt very meaningful in the moments we were filming, we had to be very present because footage was limited!Ā
MD: At what point in your life did you realise you wanted to write this song? And was it a long process from start to finish?
TR: I love that question! When I wrote this song I was at a fork in the road and felt I had to choose what kind of artist I wanted to be. This song really spoke to me - thereās an innocence there and a longing that I had been feeling in my life and in my music - it just felt right. I thought āthis is what I want my project to feel like - this is meāĀ
The process of writing this song was almost as dream like as it sounds. I have vague memories of writing and recording this song because it feels as if it was created in the blink of an eye, which is rare for me - I really cherish that about this song.Ā
MD: What do you hope that people take away from āSweetly, Softlyā?
TR:Ā There is something about its energy that I think is very honest and poignant - It captures the āwill we/wonāt weā moments in between falling in love - itās a scary yet beautiful time and the juxtaposition of those emotions I hope will feel familiar to the listener.Ā Ā
MD: What did you learn from making this track?
TR: Not every work of art need be overthought.
MD: Not only is the single sweet and soft, so is that voice of yours - when did you release you could sing, and that this was a career you wanted to progress with?
TR:Ā I have some cliche videos of myself singing as a young girl - there was something so innocent and pure about that girl and I try my best to hold onto her. I was always writing poetry in class and would sit down at the piano when I got home from school - itās always been in my DNA.Ā
MD: What advice would you give to your younger self?Ā
TR:Ā Wow, so much. I would tell her to journal and write a song every single day. And remind her baby steps are important too. Oh and travel!Ā
MD: What can we expect from you in 2024?
MD: This single led me down the road of creating my upcoming EP of the same title so Iām excited to share. Iāve also started dreaming up the next chapterā¦we can call it a rebirth of sorts. Stay tuned!Ā
MD: Let's finish with a LOVE related quick fire round! Complete the following sentences:
MD: An object I loveā¦
TR: My fatherās paintings hung up in my bedroomĀ
MD: Something I love to doā¦
TR:Ā A good tarot reading led with intentionĀ
MD: Something I wish I didn't love...
TR: Reality TVā¦those real housewives got me hooked
MD: Love would be better withā¦Ā
TR:Ā More freedom, more self love, more phone callsĀ
MD: Love would be better withoutā¦Ā
TR:Ā Jealousy - itās a useless emotionĀ
MD: And finally, finally... What's your favourite F-word?
TR: Faith! Always have faith in yourself and your journey.Ā