We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Teena May a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Teena, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally when I was very young. Around 11 or 12. I had about 6 years of classical piano training and just started learning classical flute when I saw the trailer for Pocahontas before the Lion King on VHS. It was just the song “Colors of the Wind” and I knew who I was, without a doubt, in that moment. I’m tearing up just writing about that memory.
Teena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a songwriter with an extensive Country, Americana, Roots, Folk, and Pop catalogue. My journey began around age 4, banging on a little toy piano until my mother would yell at me to stop, which happened quit often.
One day, instead of banging, I started working out the melody line of a song playing on the radio. My mother heard it, yelled my name and I froze, as she likes to tell this story. She told me to play it again and the rest is herstory. My parents quickly put me into classical lessons and at age 12 I started playing flute in school.
Before I left for college the bass player at my family’s church gave me an acoustic guitar, which I taught myself to play and is now my primary instrument.
I perform song-stories wherever I am invited. I continually write songs and co-write with other artists. Publishing companies, labels, and artists may license my song catalogue, available for use in TV/Film/Commercial/Streaming, etc.
I am most proud of following this path, persevering, listening to my intuition, spirit guides and oracles of inspiration.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The goals driving my creative journey are endless and present themselves as I continue on my path. Currently, my goal is to record my second album, “Bones” with my new 4-peice band, release it Spring 2024, tour this summer and play as many venues and festivals who would have me.
Another handful of goals are to gain a songwriting publishing deal, have a manager, and sync licensing companies use as many of my songs in TV/Film/Commercial/Streaming, etc. as possible.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is peace of mind. This is who I am and nothing else can satisfy my soul.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.teena-may.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/happyblacksongstress?igshid=MmVlMjlkMTBhMg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teena.mayzing?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk1xuUV93QtcvHaM-1xLysA
- Other: Teena May Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/teena-may/sets/teena-may-work-tapes-acoustic-guitar
Image Credits
Cfreedom Photography, Tamara Grayson Photography, Nashbash Collective, Brenda Westervall Kerr