Get To Know: Teresa Jenee

It was such a pleasure to meet and talk to this next featured artist in our Get to Know series. Hailing from St. Louis, Teresa Jenee is indeed making a name for herself. Her passion hangs proudly on her sound, an “eclectic” mixture that will surely keep you tuned in. Her debut album, The Eklectic, is one of those rare treats giving you a variety of different sounds and genres from one artist (So awesome!). She recently made a guest appearance at The Word and graced me with some of her time. Get to Know: Teresa Jenee

So what prompted you to want to come and perform in Memphis?

Well Tonya asked but, I actually view Memphis as one of the next if not, great soul cities. It has such a rich history in music with blues, soul and rock and roll. And the soul scene is so hot right now. It’s right there with Philly. And I personally feel that if you want to hit any couple of cities you have to do Philly, got to do Chicago, got to hit Memphis.

I always ask artist this question, but how do you categorize your sound? I am always intrigued by an artist’s answer.

Trail Mix. I call it a trail mix. It’s supposed to be soultronica plus rock and a little bit of everything. The whole eclectic thing. I do the soul; some techno elements. There’s a part in my show where I do the acoustic and the piano. And then, of course, you know I like to rock it out a bit. I’m just a bit of everything. Like a trail mix.

Speaking of the eclectic sound, the name of your first album is The Eklectic correct?
Yes.

How is the album different from the Teresa Jenee EP?

Well the Teresa Jenee EP was an introduction to let people know that I was out here. With no one knowing my name, but them seeing me out there and hearing me. I wanted to put a product out there. There were only five songs, but every last one of those songs was a sample of my sound. And when I got ready to do Eklectic, I’m like okay I’ve given them a sampler, now let’s give them a whole meal and that’s what I did. You get a bit of everything. From song to song I try to touch on a different genre. From blues, to chop, to house, to soul. I wanted to cover it all.

I like seeing artist take on the task of covering different genres and not being boxed into a category. Like some artist that are categorized as neosoul are rarely given wiggle room to venture outside of that genre and be accepted.

Yes. I use to wonder why people would get so mad at neosoul. I was like let neosoul be neosoul, but I’ve come to see that it really is a box. It’s crazy to box something that’s always evolving. You have so many directions you can take with it and have the voice still be rich and the message be uplifting. It’s still soul, but there are many phases of soul like alternative soul and urban soul.

Where can we find your album?

The downloads are available on iTunes and Rhapsody. You can also get music at my bandcamp page www.teresajenee.bandcamp.com and you can get the music directly from me.

I’m sorry. I want an actual CD. Something I can hold in my hand.

(Laughter) Oh ok. You can get an actual CD at any of my live shows. Outside of that they are available online.

Okay good. I will be needing that then.

Okay cool.

I’ll get there one day. We’re starting small.

Completely understand.

Now what’s next for you after this stop?

I have two upcoming shows back home in St. Louis and then making some stops in Atlanta, Richmond, and possibly New York. Hopefully do more.

What’s in the future for Teresa Jenee?

Repackaging and adding two tracks to the Eklectic. Releasing Eklectic 2.0. Do a couple more videos. Just keep moving and keep doing shows. Who knows? One day I might want to act. Win a Grammy. Hey if Eric Roberson can do it, why can’t I?

Indeed!

He gives me hope and I admire him.

Okay last question. Who’s in your iPod? What are you listening to?

Oh my goodness. I’ve got Quadron, Brittany Bosco, a lot of R&B. I got the Usher, the LeToya. Love Regret. I like a good R&B cut. Eric Roberson, of course, Roots, telepop music. I have a lot of little things. Too many to name. I know when I walk away I’m going to remember them and wish I had mentioned them.

Teresa Jenee "Freedom"