Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Tess Posner
THE RELEASE
Dive inside Tess Posner's intriguing universe as an alternative dark pop singer-songwriter, as she takes you on a spellbinding voyage into the undiscovered depths of the subconscious, throwing light on the hidden corners of our inner selves. Tess' poetic discoveries and enthralling aural worlds draw you in, inviting self-discovery and profound healing. Her music blends mesmerizing piano melodies, ethereal synthesizers, and dramatic orchestral parts beneath her lovely vocal harmonies, which gracefully float over a foundation of deep, resonant rhythms and bass. While she explores bleak challenges, her songs are laced with aspects of hope and redemption, acting as both a personal catharsis and a vivid representation of the better society she fervently envisions and believes is possible.
"Alchemy" emerges as Tess Posner's latest musical project, masterfully produced by Rob Wells, known for his work with notable artists such as Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, and Justin Bieber. This entrancing album extends an invitation to embark on a transformative journey toward self-love and personal growth, mirroring the alchemical process that transmutes the shadows of our past and complex emotions into a metaphorical 'gold' that kindles purpose and healing. Within this sonic tapestry, ethereal layers of piano, synthesizers, sweeping strings, and velvety vocal harmonies seamlessly transition from intimate confessions to grand, theatrical swells. The EP's narrative arc commences amidst the throes of pain and trauma, guiding the listener on a path towards healing and empowerment by embracing one's inner demons and challenging emotions. Its evocative tracks include "Feral Child," a poignant dialogue with an abandoned inner child; "Ghosts," a reflection on embracing the demons of one's past with love; "Volcano," a journey of reclaiming inner strength and authenticity after trauma; and "Black Cloud," an exploration of the alchemical process of confronting emotions one might have long sought to numb.
THE INTERVIEW
If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?
Musically, it would be: The Beatles, Radiohead, Florence and the Machine, and Bach. On a personal level, probably my parents who love music, my brother who ended up also being a musician, the choir I grew up singing in, and my voice teacher who first encouraged me to write songs.
Were there any personal experiences or stories that influenced the creation of the album, and if so, how did they shape the final product?
Yes for sure! The album is called “Alchemy” which I define as this beautiful process we can have inside to transform painful or traumatic experiences into a kind of “gold” that can fuel growth and healing.
One of the songs called Black Cloud is about finding new life and rebirth after a period of depression. I wrote it because when I went through a time like that earlier in life, music is what helped get me through. The track tells the story of a summer near the beach where I struggled with depression in college. I remember walking down to the beach and everything looks grey, even though it was a happy Summer day. I remember one day, in the shower, I felt this kind of black cloud living inside me. As I let the water pour down, I felt this black cloud build and build energy. It got bigger and bigger, threatening to swallow me whole. Suddenly it felt like it broke open. Finally, I cried. This moment is what started my healing. The healing water of your tears can start the seeds of a new life: a rebirth.
I hope this track can reach someone who is going through a hard time and remind them of hope and that that this dark cloud will end and they are not alone.
How did you approach the selection and arrangement of the songs on this project to create a cohesive and impactful listening experience for your audience?
Alchemy started as a medieval chemical science and philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of base metals into gold. They used the elements in their symbolism and practice and there are the elements of earth, air fire water and spirit. So taking alchemy as a kind of metaphor for psychological growth, I had each song on the album correspond with a different element. “Volcano” corresponds with the fire element and finding your inner power, “Black Cloud” represents the water element and the healing power of tears, “Feral Child” is the Earth element and getting in touch with your wild inner child, Ghosts represents Spirit, and facing the ghosts of your past with love and acceptance, and “My Heart is Dry” represents the air element, finding new love with a sense of expansiveness and hope for the future. I also wanted all the songs to have a sort of transformational message, so they each encapsulate big experiences of this, for example: reclaiming parts of my inner child, finding my inner power and my voice, and opening to the possibility of love after heartbreak.
How do you see this album representing your artistic evolution or progression, and what new elements or techniques did you experiment with during its production?
I really wanted the sound to be cinematic and take the listener on a journey from darkness to hope. So we used a lot of ethereal sounds, including strings, synth and piano, along with layers and layers of vocal harmonies to build toward a cathartic journey that represents a "rebirth" and transformation, the alchemy. While I have used some of these sounds before, I never was as focused on this specifically and wanted the sound to really match the lyrics and the meaning behind each song and story. Huge shoutout to my incredible producer Rob Wells, we worked so well together and really shared this vision of creating a journey through the sounds.
Can you share any memorable or profound moments from the recording or writing sessions that had a lasting impact on you personally or creatively?
On the way to recording the album in LA, I got COVID. It was literally the morning on the way to recording and I had the studio and the engineer and everything all booked. So I had to cancel and return home, and ended up being sick for a month. And, the challenges continued! My producer and I were interrupted by rainstorms, snowstorms and power outages following the COVID delay. We got delayed but in the end, I think all of these challenges made us more passionate about creating the art, and it definitely fueled the performance of each track! It did have a lasting impact because it was kind of like, ok “practice what you preach” and since the album is about taking challenging experiences and “transmuting” them into gold, it made me see the positives and the gifts in these challenges. For example, I got to actually spend a little more time editing the lyrics while I isolated during COVID.
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