Q&A with Theresa
We have your new favorite summer jam courtesy of pop songstress Theresa. "Level Up" is Theresa's latest catchy and uplifting track that will motivate just about anyone who hears it. It's the perfect track to blast in the morning if you're ever feeling down, need an extra push, or quite simply just want to dance and feel good. "The song is an anthem for anyone out there who is "hustling hard" to achieve their goals but needs some extra inspiration to get to where they want to be", shares Theresa.
Theresa, who juggles a full-time career as an advertising music executive by day and following her calling of becoming a well-respected pop artist and songwriter by night, has made it her brand to encourage others to fulfill their dreams. "I firmly believe that if we believe in ourselves and embrace all that life has to offer, we can do anything we put our minds to. Our dreams do NOT expire!" Theresa says. She not only works hard to make her dreams a reality but also leads by example. Most, if not every one of her songs is engaging and contain critical messages to love and believe in yourself.
As you'll come to learn by our chat below with the artist, Theresa is a breath of fresh air as her confidence and cheerful personality shines through. She shares what inspired "Level Up", her advice to all women, and what she's most excited for this year, and that she's ready to have a good time. I mean, after the year we've all had, it's safe to say we are all more than prepared to move on and level up!
IndieWavves: Theresa, we are so happy to be chatting with you! We still have "Kiss Kiss" and "Marathon" on repeat- such bops. How have you been?
Theresa: HEYYYYY! Thank you SO much for all your support! I've been really good. Fully vaxxed and ready to PARTAYYYYY!!!
IW: Speaking of bops, this new single "Level Up" seems to be yet another earworm of a track that will keep us dancing all summer long. Can you tell us what inspired the song?
T: I actually inspired the song!! I wrote "Level Up" to serve as an anthem to myself. As a 41-year-old woman who has a full-time career as an advertising music exec plus hustling hard on the side to achieve her goals as a pop artist and hit songwriter, it can get super overwhelming a times. Despite all my success, I sometimes question what I am doing. But I have learned that when I get tired, confused, or discouraged, I literally have to say to myself, "it's time to LEVEL UP, T!". I've accomplished so much...but what if I keep on climbing? It's literally in those times where I just have to push myself, trust the universe and keep on moving upwards!
(continued)
IW: What is your songwriting process like? Do the lyrics come first for you?
T: My songwriting process is super sacred to me. I actually do a lot of my writing first thing in the morning. I really LOVE writing in the shower too! I have learned not to put pressure on myself to write either. It's usually the days where I am like, "I'm going to take it easy today", when I end up writing a whole song in 10 minutes. I am definitely a lyric and melody girl - but it depends on what comes first. Sometimes a melody will invade my head, and then I write around it - or I will be feeling some feelings that will evolve into a poem and then develop a melody for it. Songwriting is so therapeutic for me. I have to write from the heart and experience. I can't force it.
IW: As a lady boss, how has that helped you discover or redefine who you are as an artist?
T: I must admit that my artistry has actually helped me become more confident in my work as an advertising music producer and a woman in general. It takes a lot of confidence and courage to get up every morning and follow your dreams. I am so grateful that I spend my days working on great projects with talented and cool people, which fuels my fire to keep pursuing my goals. It's all about the company you keep, and I've come to realize that if I am not spending time with people that support me and lift me higher - whether it's at work, in my music, or real-life - then I am in the wrong place, and that's obviously going to affect my confidence in general.
IW: What advice would you give young women in the music industry who might feel the stress of social media/society to look or be a certain way?
T: I would actually give this advice to ALL women of any age (and anyone who needs it!). I've lived almost my whole life not thinking I was enough. Since I was a little girl, I would compare myself to famous celebs and even girls I went to school with. I abandoned my dreams of pop stardom in my mid 20's because I didn't think I was pretty enough, talented enough, skinny enough, the list would go on. It took me 39 years to realize that I AM enough. WE ARE ALL ENOUGH. I've learned to embrace my flaws, forgive my past and focus on the present. I've become my own best friend - and encourage everyone to do the same. Love yourself. Respect yourself. Impress yourself.
IW: You've previously shared five facts with us. Can you share with us a favorite memory you have since embarking on your music journey?
T: I literally sat here for a good two minutes with a huge grin on my face thinking over the past 2.5 years that I've been on this journey. There've been a lot of amazing moments, but one of my favorite memories took place right before Covid hit when I was on a songwriting trip to LA, bouncing from session to session - really "living the life" I was dreaming of living. I was cruising down the 101 blasting the demo I had just cut for a song called "Definition of Love". Windows were down, the sun was shining, and it just hit me that I was literally manifesting my dreams one day at a time. Everything I was envisioning was - in one way or another - coming true. It was a magical moment to see how all my hard work and determination were worth it. Those types of feelings only make me want to aim even higher!!
MORE: Five Fun Facts with Theresa
IW: What are you excited for the most in 2021?
T: Well, now that I am fully vaccinated, I am ready to take this year by storm!! I am so energized just to get out there and live life to the fullest. I can feel a lot of new energy flowing my way - new people, new music, new experiences. I am here for ALL of it. 2021 is definitely the year we will all "Level Up"!
Written by Piera Lolandes