GET TO KNOW: TESSA DENICOLA
Tessa DeNicola is an Indie pop singer-songwriter fresh off of her first three singles opening the floodgates for showcasing her unique sound and introspective lyricism. Originally from Los Angeles, Tessa began writing and performing at a young age, but it wasn’t until a recent life altering event that she found herself face to face with a newfound and undeniable pursuit.
With her captivating voice, unique layering, and evocative songwriting, Tessa hopes to capture the essence of the human experience within her music.
Her forthcoming EP exemplifies how she continues to explore complex and contemplative themes while honing in a unique blend of pop, folk, and self expression.
Artist Name
Tessa DeNicola
How did you get introduced to music?
My dad had a very intentional music taste, one that became more and more striking to me as I got older. I was always fascinated and empowered through the music that surrounded me by way of environment. Although, it wasn’t until I started writing that I took on a new-found appreciation for it. I draw so much emotion and inspiration from what a song is saying. I love feeling transported, and music is probably the most direct pipeline to that experience. I spent a majority of my childhood dissociating from trauma and pain I didn’t understand at the time, and I think music fed into that alternate reality for me.
What genres are you a fan of?
This is such a hard question, and subsequently this will probably be a lame answer. MOST genres truly! There is so much hybrid in contemporary music. I guess if I had to choose a few, maybe avant-pop, alt-pop, folk-pop, alt-rock… etc.
At what age did you begin songwriting?
I would always write poetry, but I wrote my first full-fledged song at 15, for one of my high school choir concerts.
What is your favorite song of all time? Why does this composition matter to you?
This changes every month respectively for me, so I’ll answer in a sentimental way. Joni Mitchell’s ‘“Come in From The Cold” is a song that makes me feel extremely connected to my mom. It is a beautifully written song, and the melody is unmatched. I mean it’s Joni…
“This Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush, and Frou Frou’s, “The Dumbing Down of Love,” are also for some reason deep-rooted within me from my childhood. I resonate with both the floating and ethereal melodies along with the emotional sentiments. Again, this is sort of a phoned in answer, but this is an impossible question for me personally!
Which musician would you choose to go open for if you could?
My two current songwriting inspirations are Phoebe Bridgers and Samia. I would love to open for one of them.
Describe the thought process behind “Funniest Girl In The World”.
I wrote this song about a period in my life where I felt the most understood to date, yet somehow simultaneously was operating as the most performative version of myself. It centers around somebody whom I felt an impenetrable connection with, and the journey to discovering that that connection was based on a skewed and twisted reality.
This record delves into the complexities of relationships and the facade people often wear to shield both their vulnerabilities and true intentions. Traumatic experiences, situationships, and fraudulent friendships / intentions are a recipe for disaster. This song was my cheeky summation of that combo.
What effects do you think the Internet has had on the music industry?
This is an internal battle for so many artists I know. I think the internet is such a powerful tool and outlet for artists, but I also find it to be incredibly intimidating. The industry as it stands, rides on the backs of these platforms, and it can be discouraging when you come at it from a statistical and algorithmic standpoint. On the other hand, it gives anyone and everyone a voice, which in the right hands can be so special.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I think something I have been living by lately is as simple as: “always do what you’re afraid to do.” Among the beauty around us, life is filled with unpleasant, discomforting, and unimaginable things. The unknown is terrifying, but we don’t have control over everything that we encounter. Once you let go of the fear of the inevitable, you can apply that same acceptance to the positive opportunities that scare you.
The more we face what we perceive to be scary, the less scary it becomes because we learn that the fear was only ever in our minds. All we had to do was just feel it.
What’s in store for Tessa as an artist?
Project loading……
Working towards my very first project and honing in on all of the music I have been making and exploring. I am reeling to start pushing this stuff out and into the world. In more recent news, I have a song coming out in the next month or two with a dear friend of mine, artist, Henry Morris (fka Playyard). It will be a single off of his upcoming project, and I am excited for you all to hear this one!!