What is your name? My name is Teri Eloise. What is your genre of music? I would say I’m mostly pop and R&B… but I can’t say I consider myself committed to any one genre just because I’m influenced by so many different kinds of music. I love mixing up my sound a lot. When I’m making music, I usually don’t even know what to expect the end result to be just because I love experimenting and trying new things. Give us a little bio about you. I was born here in the UK and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. I started singing and making music at a pretty young age, teaching myself how to play instruments and always writing my own songs. I loved creating since I was a child, from visual art to music to even directing my own home made movies with friends! When I turned 18, I moved back to England and began to pursue a career in music more seriously. I now have 2 songs out (Blossom and Lose Myself) and I’ve got a lot more on the way! What made you go in to music? Music always felt very natural to me. When I was little, I loved listening and watching performers like Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Prince, Mariah Carey, Freddie Mercury – the list goes on. It got to the point where I’d try to mimic them (pretty badly) and pretend to perform their music in my room. I wanted to be like them and do what they did. As my love for music grew, I started to become really passionate about writing my own music and singing, and from there, I knew music was the career I wanted. Are you a signed? Nope, independent! Your latest release is out ‘Lose Myself’, tell us more about it. When I wrote this song, I was tremendously lost, trying to figure out myself and my future. I had a tendency to drop everything for the person that I was with, usually prioritising them and their needs. Lose Myself is about growth and self-development. It’s about growing up, realising the toxicity of your own behavior and loving yourself enough to change it. What was the writing process like? It was a really natural process. When I started writing Lose Myself, I was trying to make sense of multiple thoughts and feelings that were running through my head. I wasn’t really planning on writing my next single, I just wanted some clarity and writing always helps me with that. Before I knew it, words started pouring out along with a melody. I wrote most of the song that night and then I kind of just put it away and went back to it after a couple months. So thinking about it now, I wrote this song in two different frames of mind, one where I was a bit needy for love and seeing how it was affecting me, and the other where I was more accepting and no longer feeling a need to be with anyone. I think taking my time with it helped because in the end it fell together perfectly. It became a song about not only wanting love, but wanting more for myself. What was the recording process like? This was probably one of my favourite songs that I’ve recorded so far. I really enjoyed singing in a higher register and I got to push my vocals a bit more. Also, building the harmonies and getting really creative with editing the vocals, I really enjoyed all of that. What is the message you want listeners to take from the single? It’s more than okay to focus on yourself and take time to figure things out for yourself, rather than focusing on everyone else or that other one person. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary for your own well-being and in the long run it will probably benefit not only yourself, but those around you. Describe the single in two words Dreamy, Bittersweet Will we see an EP or Album in the new year. I am definitely working towards releasing an EP in the new year. It’s going to be be very special. If so can you give us some teasers of what to expect? You’re definitely going to hear a different side of me, or perhaps, more of me. A bit more personal for sure, lighter, darker, realer. I’ll be sharing a lot of my own stories and experiences, so I’m looking forward to hearing what listeners think. Hopefully it will be something they can connect with. Do you have any shows or a tour in planning? Yes, it is being discussed! Right now, I’m so focused on the creative side of things like writing and recording more music, so when I have a few more songs out this year, live shows are definitely going to happen. I’m really excited because I miss being on stage. If so where will you be heading? I’ll definitely being all over the England and possibly Europe. I also really want to do some shows in Trinidad and Tobago (where I grew up). I have a lot of amazing support back home, so I really want to perform for everyone there! What else can we expect from you this year? New music, live shows, I really want to be as creative as I can this year and try new things. What does 2019 hold for you as an artist? A lot more growth and a lot more music. I hope I continue finding new listeners from around the world and connecting with them through my music. 2019 is going to be a very special year. Do you have any collaborations coming up with any up coming artists? I’ve been writing with a few other artists, nothing confirmed yet but I’m looking forward to it! It all comes to down to how we feel about the finished pieces. Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact? Absolutely! They can contact me by email – terieloisemusic@gmail.com Do you play any instruments? I play the guitar and a little bit of piano. Who are your influences? Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Prince, Tyler, the Creator, SZA, Jhené Aiko, Kali Uchis… the list goes on. How do you get inspiration to write songs? It really depends on my mood or the weight of my emotions, or if I’m extremely under pressure! Usually, lyrics would pop up in my head at the most random times and I’d have to jot them down in my phone so I don’t forget. With that, I’d have some lyrics or a concept to expand on. A lot of times, I’d work on the music first and then start writing. Whatever comes naturally. Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years? Hopefully I’ll be touring the world and making more music. When you’re not doing music, what do you do? I’m always making music these days so it’s a hard one to answer, but recently I’ve been enjoying cooking a lot… I love learning new things, acquiring new skills. I also love spending my time with the family, having drinks with friends, just trying to stay calm and enjoy my youth! But most of the time I’m making music. What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene? There are so many songs that I listened to that influenced me to get into the music scene, it’s impossible to name just one. What’s the best advice you have ever been given? If you’re passionate about something, no matter how crazy it may seem to others, go do it. Live your life for you and keep doing what makes you happy. What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist? Stay true to yourself, be honest in your art and don’t compare yourself to others. Keep having fun and remember why you started! It’s a lot of work, but if you’re passionate about it, it wont feel like work. What quote or saying do you always stick by? “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” It’s a bit corny but I really do live by this quote. I think in this era of social media especially, we’re all so used to seeing other peoples lives and without realising, we start comparing ourselves and that’s not okay. I think it’s important to remember just how special we all are. Your coming off tour; 1/ Where do you go first? Definitely back home. 2/ Who do you see first? Family and close friends. 3/What do you eat first? A nice home-made meal. Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you? Definitely! Instagram Twitter Facebook