Réunion Island-based singer-songwriter Tess has been on everyone’s radar since she first emerged onto the music scene. Over the years, she has captivated the audiences with her rawness, soulful voice, rare depth, and intuition. In person, she stands out as even more striking and exudes true inner power and unbridled energy.
Known for catchy lyrical gems and visually stunning videos, Tess stayed true to herself through all stages of her career. After taking a break in releasing music, she returns with her new single “The Ritual,” paired with a captivating official music video and the release of her brand new EP, “Origin”, a breathtaking 4-track collection of songs written over the years.
We caught up with Tess to chat about her new record, as well as her artistic and personal journey.
Let’s talk about your background. Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be in this industry?
I’ve always been super sensitive to music. I can’t imagine a life without it. At the age of 4, I started to take dance lessons. When I dance, I feel completely moved; I feel the music through my whole body, running through my veins and pulsing in my cells. And then it’s like my body disappears, I am limitless, I am free. It was my only way of expression growing up. Then I discovered I could use my voice, I’ve always been a quiet person; I barely talked. I started to sing at the age of 14 secretly in my room. And it became another safe place, as long as nobody listened to me. A few years after I decided to post some covers on YouTube because I felt like I couldn’t keep it secret anymore, and this is where the label I work with found me. I was 19 and studied physiotherapy at this time. I started to work with them while finishing my studies. When I was in high school, I told my friends that I would be a singer later. But I would have never imagined that it would happen (especially this way!).
Wow! that’s amazing! What type of music did you grow up listening to? Who has had the greatest influence on your taste in music over time?
I used to listen to every kind of music. I love to explore all areas of life. As a child, I grew up watching Disney movies, I collected them, so Disney songs inspired me greatly. Then as a teenager, I remember spending hours on my computer to find new music, new artists; I listened to folk, pop, indie, rock, RnB, soul, reggae, movie soundtracks. I love diversity. But now, my favorite music is the sound of Mother Nature. It’s the most healing and inspiring vibration for me.
I couldn’t agree more. Connecting with nature is so healing! You grew up and currently reside in Saint-Denis on Réunion Island. I am curious what is the music scene like there?
Right now nothing happens here because of the current global situation. But in the world before, there were musicians from here and from other countries who played. We have a big stage called “petit stade de l’est” with a capacity of 12 000. It was my first stage, and I was doing an opening for a famous French singer Tal. It was really impressive; I was alone with my guitar on stage, blinded by the spotlights, but knowing that there were thousands of eyes looking at me. I remember at that moment I thought to myself, “this is what I want to do.” Musicians also used to play in bars and cafés and sometimes in the street for special events like “la fête de la musique”, the national day, or the commemoration of the abolition of slavery. We love music here; we love to dance, we love to gather and celebrate.
How would you describe your sound in terms of feelings?
It’s a mix of everything. It’s everything you can feel as a human being. It’s joy and pain, happiness and sadness, fear and love, anger and calm. You can’t be happy all the time. You have to go through different phases, different emotions. Better to feel something than nothing at all. You have to accept all the feelings because they are all beautiful and you have to remember that nothing is permanent. This is Life.
After dropping your album “Scars and The Moon” back in December 2019, you have stayed pretty quiet ever since. And finally, you are not only releasing your new single and music video, but coming back with your much anticipated full EP as well; congratulations!!! It feels like the new era of Tess, and I am so excited for you. Tell me about “Origin.” What does this EP represent for you?
Thank you so much! I was excited to release this project. I wrote the EP songs in 2017 and 2018 without knowing that they would end up together, without knowing they would be released one day, because I write so many songs. After a new moon ritual in August 2019, it was clear, and I had to release the songs together. Origin is a cycle. It’s the cycle of Life. You are born, pure light. Then you incarnate on Earth as a human. And as a human you are light and darkness. You explore yourself, every part of yourself. You go through good times and difficult times until you accept yourself and you love yourself. And once you love yourself unconditionally, you remember your true nature, your true essence. And you can love the world. This is exactly what I’ve been through these last years. So this EP couldn’t be more personal.
So beautifully said! I know so many people will relate to it after reading and listening to your EP; as we all are on the same journey of learning to love ourselves and the world and finding our true essence and purpose. Your brand new single is called “The Ritual,” and you just released an accompanying music video for it as well. What was the inspiration behind it?
The Ritual refers to the “shadow work.” It’s about exploring the depths of your being, your fears, your insecurities, everything you don’t like about yourself. It’s about embracing your dark side. I love rituals. I make rituals for full moon, for new moon, for energetic portals, for the sabbath, for my birthday… And I think it’s important to celebrate the light, but it’s also important to celebrate your darkness. And so you can truly accept yourself and love yourself as you are, not only when you feel “good.” In this song, I invoke my demons and have a conversation with them, telling them that I accept them, and I love them because they are a part of who I am.
Let’s talk more about your personal journey. What is the hardest lesson you’ve learned in life so far?
I’ve learned to let go and trust the Universe, especially in this critical period where everything is uncertain. Even if you make plans, you don’t know if they will work. But I believe that when something is meant to happen, it will happen; it doesn’t matter how long it will take. Be patient, work hard, but not too much, be kind to yourself, and trust life. It always brings you what you need, and it always takes you where you need to go.
How do you use your intuition in your creative process?
My intuition is always here, and I always trust it. I like to see it as my superpower. I’ve always felt that I wasn’t alone while creating (I am never alone). I have the feeling that “something,” an angel, a guide, God, the Universe, Nature (call it how you want to call it) whisper things to me. I hear messages, and I become a messenger. And I am also a creator, because this invisible force is within me. And it’s within you too.
I was really inspired by your yoga and meditation lessons and challenges you have been hosting on your Instagram live and stories. And seeing all the feedback looks like you inspired and helped so many people, especially during quarantine and even after when the world started slowly coming out of it. Please tell me about spirituality and yoga in your life!
I discovered yoga five years ago when I was completely lost; I didn’t have self-confidence and self-love. At this time, the world terrified me. I wasn’t comfortable with other people, and I wasn’t comfortable with myself. I used to live in a bubble. I am a highly sensitive person, and it was really hard for me to deal with this. Yoga offers me everything I need. It’s not only a practice on the mat. It’s a way of life. I decided to go deeper and went to India in 2019 to do yoga teacher training. And this is how I became a yoga teacher, and I didn’t plan that! I couldn’t keep all of this for myself; I needed to share it with others. Yoga helped me on so many levels, so I believe that it can help others. It’s like before Yoga, I was asleep, now I see. Yoga is everything to me. It heals me. It connects me with myself and with the world.
I’ve got one last question for you! Thinking of yourself as a soul on Earth, what do you think your purpose is?
I am here to Love.
