An Interview with Singer, Songwriter and Producer TEAu (Toe)

Her name tickles your curiosity as you ponder it's meaning and it's proper pronounciation but that's only the tip of the iceberg. TEAu (pronounced toe) gently pulls you into her whirlwind of emotions with her independent debut, Dust Of A Rose on L7 Records. Hailing from New Jersey, TEAu meets the bar on musical integrity: pure soul, honesty, empowerment, intoxicating melodies and impressive writing.

I came across the art of TEAu when a member of a music message board offered me the opportunity to hear what the buzz was all about. I was well beyond pleasantly surprised by what my ears were experiencing and was even more impressed when I received her cd with a handwritten note thanking me for my interest in her music and hoping I enjoy her work. Mission accomplished!

Her intro, Shoot Out, reminds you of the days of old black and white western shoot 'em ups but don't be fooled. It's merely an attention grabber, announcing the arrival of something new and different, well beyond the clones of artists receiving massive spins on your local radio stations and hefty label advances. Songs such as Whoa, Feelin' This, High and Somethin' Bout speak on the butterflies doing back flips in your chest when you come across that beautiful, phenomenal one who you don't mind sharing your drawer and closet space with and enjoy having around.

Next Stop takes you on a bus ride with TEAu as she maneuvers the dramas of a crowded commute to work while trying to maintain her sanity amongst scores of people with obvious issues including not having exact change for the bus fare and over whelming body odor. Does He and Just Friends feels as if your diary was left open on the kitchen counter and suddenly turned into a song as you deal with the bitterness of a newly ended relationship. Karma and emotional roller coasters are nothing to toy with as TEAu proves what goes around, comes around in Head Bangin' and If I Were. She also holds her own and displays range with her live rendition of the Chaka Khan classic Sweet Thing .

I had the pleasure of interviewing TEAu about her beginnings, the meaning behind her name, her musical and writing influences as well as her decision to release her album on an independent label as opposed to signing with a major record label.

Let's start with your name: It's eye catching and unusual to say the least. What does it mean and is it a given name or has there been an experience in your life that chose you to choose that name?
I would love to give a moving explanation but it's simple. TEAu (pronounced toe) is shortened from Shanteau L. Johnson. It's just a nickname.

Your album is a rather personal journal of raw experiences and feelings, especially for a debut album. What sparked your interest into putting together such a powerful collection of songs and are there plans for more albums in the near future?

I've been blessed because for this album, it seems as though the songs gravitated together readily. The songs were written because of something I've experienced personally or it's something my family or friends have gone through and it stuck in my head. I don't know how powerful my songs are to others but I do know that for me it's a release of emotions. What gave me the confidence to record this album was one night after a show, a few people asked, "Do you have a CD?" When I answered "No" I got that, "Why Not?" look as well as, "Everyone else has one". I've always worked on demos to shop to labels, so I had material but I felt that labels believed that I had no marketability. So at that moment I decided that my material had value and there was an audience developing. So, I invested in myself and hustled to put this project together. As far as future albums, I've been writing since I can remember. I've kept words written on anything from a brown paper bag to eggshell linen paper tucked inside scrapbooks and journals. And I've got tons of melodies on my voicemail waiting to be deleted. So, I have material. I just anticipate that my audience grows so that putting out another album is desired.

"I'm the pucker in your kiss…I'm the glisten in your sweat-and I look good on you" from the song Somethin' Bout made me blush! Are you writing for other artists right now or do you plan to keep this gift to yourself?
For this project I managed to stay focused but I am working with other people. I have written and produced for a few upcoming talents. Sometimes I can be a little conservative, so writing for others definitely allows me to be more out of the box artistically. So I welcome those opportunities as they arise.

How has the touring circuit been treating you since you have started? Did you begin touring with your debut album or were you exposing yourself in the open mic and showcase circuit? Can you provide a list of venues for those of us who wish to put a face to the talent of TEAu?

Singing in front of a live audience is exhilarating and they've been accepting of me. I've done open mics, showcases and I've gigged with bands doing cover tunes and originals. But audiences are real. They are honest and they definitely challenge your ability to improvise. So it's making me a better artist each time I do it. I've put this material to the test in many clubs in the New York City area. A few that I've performed at are: The Soul Café, Windows on the World, LeBar Bat and Nells. I've performed in New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut and I've toured in a couple of cities overseas in China. I'm making my way to the Philly area and soon to some of the southern states. But if people want to put a face to the music they can absolutely check back on my website to get updates at www.TEAu7.com.

One of the tracks from your album entitled Just Friends literally moved me to tears. It made me wonder if you somehow got a glimpse of my journal or a love letter from a past heartache. What was the inspiration behind that song and what made you choose the Christopher Cross sample from Sailing, 1 of the most beautifully written melodies on this planet?

Sailing is a beautifully produced song-even the original lyrics are beautiful. A producer I work with out of Newark NJ, (The Bricks) named Tony V put the track together. When I heard it, immediately it provoked a loneliness that heartache brings but it also offered an escape. And most people can identify with heartache; I'm just fortunate that I was able to put it to song. I think the lyrics were my own twist to the track-and we all know the underlying statement of "Let's be friends". Translation: "I don't want to hurt your feelings, I'm no longer interested in you as the main attraction but we can get together from time to time until the real thing comes along". I guess the inspiration was that state of confusion after a relationship ended and instead of giving in when I was most vulnerable, I expressed my weaknesses or strengths through song.

There are people in the industry or who are trying to get into the industry who all seem to feel they have something profound to share with the masses. Some manage to blow us away with their writing, their singing, their musicianship or all of the above and some make us wonder how they got an advance in the 1st place. What do you think makes your album different than the others and will continue to draw in the fans?
I don't know how original I am because I sing about love in most of the songs on this album and love is the most unoriginal thing you could sing about. But I do know that as an independent artist I'm proud of the collection of songs that I have put together. I believe that Dust of a Rose is a solid album from start to finish-and there are not many signed artists that can say that. I've been blessed creatively, which makes people listen through a complete song. Sometimes I simply write a song saying, "I feel good when I'm with you!" and other times I may say, "You got me rolling up a tree" or "I'm riding high on a butterfly…". But it still states "I feel good when you're near". So, creatively and musically I have something to give and it could even possibly change where R&B is headed. So, I hope my persistence to get this material out there and my passion draws listeners.

Let's talk about your beginnings: When did you realize that your voice was as captivating as it is? Has there been any voice training, church solos or former singing group affiliations? When did you know that this is what you wanted?
I don't remember who coerced me the first time to get up in front of an audience because I was a shy kid. But before I went up I had already developed an understanding of how powerful music could be. I remember countless Saturday afternoons where my mom and I would clean up while blasting the album Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder. We would have guiltless fun. I can remember the anticipation I felt when waiting to watch a world premier of a Michael Jackson video. That was big! Later I discovered emotion and range through memorizing the words and all the riffs to an Anita Baker or a Whitney Houston song. Those albums were my vocal coaches. I took my talent seriously and recognized my gift once I heard an audience's applause at an elementary school talent show. In my little world, that was huge. I fell in love with that acceptance and it felt good. I also realized then that I wanted to give that same joy I experienced growing up.

Next Stop is an anthem that I feel any person who's ever rode the bus or subway in the city (especially the tri-state area) can relate to. Was there 1 particular bus trip that made you realize that the entire "adventure" was worthy of a spot on your album or was it a combination of surrounding issues?
These rides worked collectively-so no ride in particular started this. And as most people know, a lot of stupidness appears on the bus during the most crucial times of the day: to and from work. So I was just venting.

Your rendition of Chaka Khan's Sweet Thing blew me away! Who are some of your other musical influences (writers, singers, performers)? Are there any out there that you would like to work with?
I've always been an admirer of Chaka Khan's music and Sweet Thing is one of my favorite songs. But many artists have influenced me. I admire the way Babyface writes from every angle and I love the way Anita Baker's vocals are laced with satin. But I listen to so many styles of music. I can't say one style influences me. I think Mos Def and I would have good chemistry, I think Snoop could add flavor to a remix and I would love to have Areosmith play on a track. It would even be fun to dig up an old vinyl of Miles Davis to sample and play over a Hip-Hop or R&B groove. So I would work with any one that I feel I would have chemistry with. It has to sound tight and it has to feel good. But as far as the R&B or Neo-Soul game presently, which is where I'm classed; Alicia Keys, Jill Scott and Angie Stone are very influential in bringing the standards back up in R&B.

What's next for TEAu? Babies, marriage, protesting at the Republican National Convention, college, world domination, etc?
Well, I'll continue to spread the word about Dust of a Rose and hopefully with the support of Sable Magazine this project will reach its potential. But definitely, I plan to do more live performances, more projects and a new album.

Any last thoughts or words of wisdom to those who may be pursuing careers in the music business or who may already be there but wondering what's next for them?
I hate to sound redundant but for those who pursue this dream and have a love for it: be patient with it, be passionate about it and be good to it. Because no matter how many people think you will fail, if you continue to trust, it will become a reality.