Sound Check: Teisha Marie—Still Addicted to Life

In 2009, Teisha Marie came onto the scene with her debut independent release Addicted to Life. A solidly-produced collection of refreshingly honest tunes, Addicted to Life provided a perfect alternative to abrasive mainstream themes of sex and materialism. Teisha Marie’s open persona, compassionate heart and sensitive soul shone through clearly throughout. Classically-trained Teisha Marie melded spoken word, nuances of neo-soul and pop into a sound that has been described as “distinct” and “delectable” by some critics, with fans comparing her subject matter to the work of such talent as India.Arie and Jill Scott. We caught up with Teisha Marie to learn more about her upcoming project, find out how her new music career has changed her life and see who would show up in her dream collaboration.

SoulTrain.com: Hi Teisha! Your debut CD Addicted to Life is still attracting new fans your way with its brilliant production, great lyrics and your incredible voice. How has that CD’ s success changed your life?

Teisha Marie: I am ecstatic that its still going. I’m amazed. To be released all the way back in 2008—I’m honored. It just gives me fuel to do the next project. Being a teacher by day, my kids are starting to find out that I have a “secret life” outside of them. They say, “I can’t believe you’re my teacher, you’re famous.” Some of my fellow teachers may play my CD in their class and then they look me up on YouTube or iTunes…it’s funny.

It’s propelled me to do things that I may have been slower to do by myself. I used to be afraid to talk to folks but now I can walk up to the Queen of England if I have to. (laughs)

SoulTrain.com: How would you describe your music to those who are reading about you for the first time?

Teisha Marie: I would say it’s like tasting candy for the first time. You know, you eat a piece of candy, you may or may not like it but there is some part of it you like, whether you like the whole part or not. It’s an experience that you just have to sit down and listen to. A lot of people have said it’s a good album to listen to when cleaning the house. [laughs]

SoulTrain.com: You really hadn’t planned on being in the limelight, did you?

Teisha Marie: No,I didn’t intend on being an artist at first. I would be at shows all the time with my friends and there would the time in a show where my friends would volunteer me on stage—I never wanted to jump on stage. But, every time I wound up on stage, I thought that I must be doing something with this. I actually wanted to be an A & R person—the person who finds the talent for a record label. I had just started writing some songs and was going to record them to see how they turned out. So, everyone was asking what was I going to do next, and people started asking what I was going to do with my life next. This [first album] was my way of saying “mind your business”. Everyone asks do I have a story and how my career came about and I was like “I guess I have to sing [my stories]”.

SoulTrain.com: Will your upcoming CD have that same storytelling element that you brought to the first CD?

Teisha Marie: Yes. I have three songs completed on it already, and one to be released in May. I produced several songs and, thus far, producers Barry Talbert and Ahmed Sirou—who’ve I’ve worked with before– have contributed to this project. I know a lot of artists like to work with new folks but I’m like, if it ain’t broke…[laughs]

SoulTrain.com: Tell us more about your new project you’re working on.

Teisha Marie: This album is for the person who likes to put their iPod on shuffle. It’s not necessary a different genre of music, but my delivery will be different. The album is called The Girl From Nowhere, based on my experience as an Air Force brat. People always ask “where are you from” and “what do you do” and I never felt like I was from anywhere. I guess I identify with the South the most. It’s from feeling like the outsider a lot of time—alienation and the strength you find in being different and how in your difference you aren’t alone. It’s for people who like quirky and different styles. The topics are different on this one, but my fans will like it.

SoulTrain.com: Sounds out-of-the-box. As an indie artist, who have been some of your idols and role models in the industry?

Teisha Marie: [laughs] Hmmm. People who have been doing this for a long time—people like Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker—people who just made their music and didn’t have to explain themselves. People who do [music] because they need to release emotions. I really like what Janelle Monae is doing. I got nervous when she signed with Bad Boy but she’s really retained her sense of self. Of course, Eric Roberson—he’s like the champion of indie artists. He shows it’s possible to be indie and maintain your independence and be successful and not sell out who you are.

SoulTrain.com: You are a gifted songwriter who captures life’s dialogue in prose through song. What inspires you to write? Will this new album reflect something new?

Teisha Marie: I could be walking in the grocery store and hear a mom talking to her daughter and that could inspire a song. Sometimes it just comes from TV, sometimes its just life. I wrote a song on Addicted to Life called “Inner Truth” about a guy battling with his sexuality and another verse about a girl not feeling love. That was from my own life so it come s from wherever I am in the moment. “King of Negativity” has come out of being angry and another song coming up on the new album called “Walk Your Own Road” about an ex- boyfriend who would just call around the same time each month until I had to just tell him to step-off. [laughs]

SoulTrain.com: Tell us what your dream collaboration would be if you could choose anyone in the world to work with, and why?

Teisha Marie: I have so many. I would love to work with Bobby McPherson, Esperanza Spalding, Ed Motta out of Brazil… It would definitely be cool to work with Eric Roberson and Quincy Jones. And if I could unearth dead people, Henry Mancini who wrote the “Pink Panther” theme and “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”– who did all of these wonderful orchestrations. I would definitely want to write with them, produce or if they told me to sing something. It could be “Twinkle Twinkle Little star”. Oh, and Stevie Wonder, he’s at the top of the list. I play him for my break-ups, my make-ups, my meditation moments, my spiritual moments. If I could just play triangle on a track with him that would be cool.

SoulTrain.com: What are your thoughts about how music can impact the world today?

Teisha Marie: I think that music is a great unifier. For the people who are protesting all around the world, I know that there is some song that is propelling them forward. There is so much negative music out that I think that a little more positive music put in the world can change the world for the better.

SoulTrain.com: What message do you want to send to your fans who may want to follow in your footsteps?

Teisha Marie: I would say “do not give up”. That’s number one. Number two would be “stay open”. Opportunities can come from anywhere. For the two years I’ve been doing this, I’ve been meeting some interesting people from all over the world. I’m appreciative of that. I can not stress this enough—“Do not give up”.

SoulTrain.com: Is there anything you would like the readers to know about you?

Teisha Marie: I’m a very genuine person who sometimes wears my heart on my sleeve and I’m very passionate about things. So, if you follow me on twitter and I’m throwing out random thoughts and stuff, be sure to answer back.

SoulTrain.com: Where can we find you online?

Teisha Marie: The top three are Reverbnation, on Facebook and on Twitter. Right now, I’m currently revamping my website.

SoulTrain.com: Well, as always, it’s been a pleasure talking to you. You are truly one-of-a-kind.

Teisha Marie: Thank you.

Check out Teisha’s video for the single “Open”.

– Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman

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Khadijah is a writer based in the Washington D.C. metro area. Visit her atKhadijahOnline.com.