Tess Posner
Interview conducted March19, 2021
Dan Locke
Tess Posner is a fast-rising indie artist from California who creates ethereal alt-pop exploring the depths of human experience. Tess started singing and playing piano as a child and sang in coffee shops as a teenager. She released her first EP in 2018. Her sound brings powerful vocals, haunting melodies and atmospheric rhythms together to bring the listener to deep places. Her honest, dark and politically conscious lyrics have attracted national attention; her track Angels was a Semi-Finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in 2019.
Tess is excited to announce her new single, “Paper Walls”. Here’s what she had to say about it: ‘Paper Walls’ is about finding the courage to open up and be vulnerable to other people, rather than stay in your own loneliness and isolation. The song shares my story of time spent going out in New York City in my early 20’s and feeling so alone, no matter how many people were around; all I needed to do was reach out, and I wouldn’t have felt so alone anymore.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up near Boston, MA but spent my early childhood in a small town in Western MA. Playing in the woods gave me a deep connection and appreciation for nature. My dad is a carpenter and my mom worked as a preschool teacher, and I have a younger brother who is an amazing musician and plays guitar with me.
How did you discover music?
I’ve been singing my whole life but stumbled into the piano as a young child when we got one as a gift from a family friend. I loved classical music as a kid and the first song I learned was Moonlight Sonata. I completely fell in love with the piano. Later in high school, I took classical guitar and studied music theory in college. Music has always been this incredible outlet for creativity, emotions, and finding beauty.
How did you start to write music?
I wrote some music on the piano as a kid, but didn’t really start composing full songs until a few years ago. I never really thought I could write songs; I was afraid of it actually. But my singing coach Danielle LoPresti encouraged me to start a morning journal writing stream of consciousness every morning, and for 6 weeks don’t look at it. When I looked at it 6 weeks later, I was shocked at how much I had to say, and the untold stories I needed to share. This started an incredible journey of songwriting and now it’s my favorite thing in the world.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
I got my first guitar from my guitar teacher Gene Stein in high school. He had studied with a student of Andre Segovia in Milan, and he took his guitar students to Italy to study with him as well. I don’t still have the guitar, but it was an amazing experience because classical guitar is so beautiful and complex, and taught me about tone and the discipline of practice.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model? And does she have a name?
I went back to the piano! Though I loved guitar, piano is my muse.
Describe your music.
My goal with my music is to take people on a journey to allow themselves to feel and to heal, I’d say my music is about transformation and freedom to be who you are. This is why I chose the phoenix as my logo, because it represents how we can come out of darkness and always find new beginnings and hope. I often blend elements of alternative, pop and electronic together and I like to create a story and arc for the listener to go on a journey through the music and lyrics.
What was your first performance at like?
I’ve sang in coffee houses and in churches and school concerts, but my first performance of my own music was December 1, 2019 and it was the release party of my first EP. My brother Alex Gilman was on the guitar and Christelle Durandy on percussion. It was like a dream come true and I thought I’d be really nervous but I actually felt perfectly calm. It was an amazing feeling to share feelings and experiences I had never spoken out loud through music. I am so grateful to my family and friends for coming out that night to support my music, it was a beautiful never and I will probably never forget it.
How has being a semi-finalist in the international songwriting competition in 2019 help you with your music career?
It’s definitely helped me network with people and also do more songwriting collaborations. The song that was a semi-finalist was called New Angels, and it’s one of the most rewarding projects to work on. It’s about a murder, a political philosopher, and the title is based on a 1920 Paul Klee painting.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
yes, ASCAP!
What makes a good songwriter?
Authenticity and honesty. I think the most powerful and memorable songs come from a real place that is both deeply personal but also universal to the human experience.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
Love Song to Myself. Yes! I put in on my first EP.
What is the process of writing your music?
Usually, I start with finding the vibe of a song, which usually starts with the idea of what the song is going to be about, then writing chords, piano, and a basic drum beat. Then I build out the arrangement of the song and how to tell the song’s story through the lyrics and music. Then I write the vocal melody and the lyrics, and bring in additional instruments or sounds to flesh out the arrangement. Usually, at this point, I will collaborate with a producer and we’ll flesh out the production and sound design together.
How does your music create ethereal alt-pop exploring the depth of human experience?
For me, music can transform pain and put into words things that can’t be spoken. I started writing music to process some trauma from my past, and it was incredibly cathartic but also getting feedback that people found it healing for them too was incredibly powerful and meaningful. I try to uncover and write from the truths of my own experience, and in doing that maybe it can help others who have been through similar things. I am also doing this really fun thing with fans taking song theme ideas and writing demos from their themes. This has been a really fun way to get new ideas and explore themes I wouldn’t have thought of myself. For example, two recent themes are “cactus” and “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps,” both really interesting concepts to write about.
Tell me about Provokehope?
Provoke Hope is a campaign and event series I started in 2019 featuring art, music and projects with a purpose to wake up and shake up. Our goal is to lift up stories, voices and artists that are instigating action towards positive social change.
Tell me about your single “Paper Walls”?
“Paper Walls” is about finding the courage to open up vulnerably to other people, rather than stay in loneliness and isolation.
When I lived in New York City when I was young, I used to go out every night, meeting people in every borough and feeling the incredible buzz of the city. But I had a hard time opening up to people. I had fun and was social, but I hid my true self, feeling like I was better off doing everything by myself. I partied, smiled, laughed but inside felt alone, though there were always people around. Recently I’ve been thinking back to that time, and how since then I’ve grown to learned to open up and share my vulnerable side to people. After being so isolated from COVID, I am really grateful I learned how to reach out and connect, instead of thinking I was better off on my own.
Before you hirer Robert Keyson as a producer, did you know he could do animation?
Actually, GEKKO is my producer for Paper Walls, and Rob Kayson animated the album cover which I designed. Rob is awesome and does really cool 3D animations.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I think it’s amazing actually, that we can have access to any song at any time. It also gives the opportunity to indie artists to be heard in ways they couldn’t before.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
They probably have forgotten. Time for a reminder!
Digital vs. vinyl?
Both! I got my first record player a few years ago and I also have a tube amp that enhances the quality. The sound is so rich and alive, I love it. Also, the feeling of taking out the record carefully and looking through the packaging makes me slow down and really have a more focused, embodied experience of the album which is really different than streaming on demand. On the other hand, digital is a lot more portable.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
I was just listening to “One More Cup of Coffee” by Bob Dylan. Such a great song, to me when he writes “the valley below” it’s about-facing death.
With the Pfizer, Moderna and other vaccines being release. How long before the whole world will be vaccinated against the virus. You have to remember there only has to be a 70% for Herd immunity (Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a community (the herd) becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. As a result, the whole community becomes protected — not just those who are immune.)
I wish I had the answer to this. Hopefully within the year!
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
Definitely not. I don’t think anything except the world ending could kill live music. Everyone is hungry for it to come back. I am sad about all the smaller venues that have had to or will close because of it, and I hope that we can emerge quickly to prevent more from shutting down.
Tell me about your non-profit A14ALL, which opens doors to the artificial intelligent industry?
I am really passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion. At AI4ALL, we provide education and mentorship for youth, especially focused on girls and youth of color. I’ve worked in the nonprofit industry for a while mostly in education and tech. It’s a lot of fun!
You release 6 singles in 2020, during the virus. How was it to work with Arthur Pingrey (Sia, Norah Jones)?
Amazing! I loved working with Arthur, we collaborated really well together. He’s a really talented producer and it was great to work on some of my favorite projects together.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
I’ve been doing a lot of dancing in my living room, and also go running and hiking as much as possible, which helps both mental and physical health. I also love yoga and have some apps that I use for online classes.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I started getting more into the production side of music during lockdown, and also set up my own home recording studio out of necessity. Every song I released in 2020 was recorded in my tiny bedroom in Oakland, California.
What lessons have you learn about human nature during the lockdown?
Humans are very resilient and adaptable. It’s astounding to think how quickly we actually pivoted to so many things being virtual. At the same time, we saw a real need for human connected and human touch. Loneliness and isolation are really damaging. I think there will be a greater need to grieve and heal after all this, in so many ways. But I hope we can emerge stronger, more compassionate and more connected to what really matters after COVID.
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
This is too bad because a lot of us have audiences on those platforms and streaming there makes it easy to reach some people. But at the same time, it just means that we’ll have to find other platforms to do Livestreams and monetize that, which is already happening, for example on Twitch etc. I bet even more options will crop up and take advantage of this gap in the market.
A year ago, you were heading to SXSW. Then the virus canceled it. How does it feel to be able to play at SXSW Balanced Breakfast Showcase this year?
It was absolutely surreal a year ago, I literally had my bags packed and then they cancelled SXSW. It was a defining moment in how big of a deal the lockdown was going to be. I am really glad that the event went virtual this year and excited for my set this Saturday!
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
There is definitely the option of Livestreams, selling merch online, and also Patreon. I launched my Patreon in November of 2020 and it’s been a really nice way to connect with people and also bring in another income stream.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
Of course, it probably always will be. You hear about a lot of playlists that charge money for playlist placement and they turn out to be bots, and take advantage of indie artists wanting to grow. Some level of pay-to-play will always happen, but I do hope that things like bot streaming can be reduced because it can really harm indie artists especially. Besides, who wants a fanbase full of robots?
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Hey, why not? I’ve tried VR a bunch and I can definitely see all of this developing more.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I certainly hope so, I know the small venues are hit the hardest and those are some of my favorite places to play. I hope the support can provide a bridge until we can all go back in person.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I do work in the nonprofit industry so I would continue to do that. But also, nothing would keep me from doing music, ever! I am sure it will keep evolving and maybe I’ll learn different instruments and different genres. It feels infinite.
What is your happy place?
Writing songs and singing!
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?
Not sure if I would ever do this. Now I’d say no because I want to maintain ownership of my songs. But who knows how I will feel when I am 70?
Your music has grown to over 2.5 million streams on Spotify.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
It goes back to the question about bot streaming. Many companies target indie artists with bot streaming, and it’s really hard to tell whether it’s real or not sometimes. I don’t think it’s necessarily fair to penalize the indie artists, but rather try to identify those that are actually selling this service. I hope this changes soon.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
Yeah, I’ve been getting more into it! There is a lot of fun content on there and I look forward to playing around with it more.
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21.Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didn’t hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival – an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 – would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale.
With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to following the lead of Live Nation: UK. If this happen and live concert start happening this summer would you be up to playing live shows again and under want precautions would you like to have in place?
I don’t know to be honest. I absolutely can’t wait to get back to playing live, but at the same time, I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk. I think I would love to see a full vaccine roll-out by then in order to feel safe playing. It’s not just about putting me at risk, but thinking about folks who are more vulnerable to serious disease.
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
Same thing, I think I’d want to make sure that things were safer at that point, especially since all of these would involve travel. Except for Sacramento! I could drive to that one, and October feels a bit safer than July.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
Thank you for having me! I really appreciate it.
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