Hopefully you’ve heard by now that tomorrow, October 17th, is the October/Halloween edition of Philthy Radio (9-11pm ET on Y-Not Radio), where I’ll be spinning spooky songs from a plethora of phriends, including our newest phriend, Tei Shi, whose upcoming North American tour kicks off this Monday, October 20th, at our very own MilkBoy, which we figured out during a recent chat may be her first headlining show in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection in close to a decade… Tei Shi is touring behind her fourth full-length, Make believe I make believe, an August release, which OFFICE said, “captures an essence that mixes dream-pop and acoustic folk with a dembow flair. Her bilingual lyrics will pull you in closer whether they find you in the throes of a sweaty dancefloor or through your headphones.” Before hitting the road, Tei Shi took some time to chat with me about the origins of her latest LP (including its spookiest track), moving pictures, and her brand-new live show.
Izzy Cihak: This summer, you released your fourth full-length, Make believe I make believe. How do you feel like it compares to previous releases? I heard you made it during a weeklong retreat to Vancouver Island with Tommy English and Noah Beresin, who I know you’ve worked with a lot and who is obviously hometown for us!
Tei Shi: I made this album the way I’ve wanted to make an album for so long — in a remote place, within a super concentrated space and time. I had an amazing studio in Vancouver Island, Canada booked out for a week, and I brought Noah and Tommy along. We were sleeping, eating, and making music in the same space for the week, interrupting that only to take walks in the forest or drive down to the beach. It was a mix of nature, isolation, fun, and extreme concentration. I had the goal in mind that out of this week I’d emerge with an album, and I was lucky enough that that ended up being the case! I always wanted to make a full project in a short period of time, and this was the first time in my career I was able to do it. Also, the ability to release it less than a year after its conception was a totally new pace for me. As a totally independent artist now, I was able to do this with support from the BC (British Columbia) provincial government, which I’m super grateful for.
Izzy Cihak: I’m actually spinning “Drop Dead” on the October/Halloween edition of Philthy Radio, because it kinda fits the Halloween theme in a cute/cheeky way. What are the origins of that particular track?
Tei Shi: I love that! That track just came from a fun bitchy place… I had been back home for a couple of weeks before going off to the island and a lot of old high school memories were coming back. I was thinking about how I didn’t get invited to my prom afterparty because the girl throwing it thought her boyfriend had a thing for me. That’s where it started and then it also kind of was a more playful look at the bullshit I’ve gone through in the music industry throughout my career. And then the “drop dead gorgeoussss” portion was an idea I had written down as a song title a while back. I just wanted a super delicious bitchy pop song, like ‘80s Madonna vibes.
Izzy Cihak: While we’re talking about it, are you a fan of Halloween and Spooky SZN? Last year I asked your buddy Allie X that, and she was like, “I haven’t celebrated Halloween in quite a while… because I’m, you know, considered witchy and gothy. I always get associated with Halloween,” which I thought was a pretty endearing answer.
Tei Shi: I love Halloween. I think it’s maybe our best celebration as a culture. I tend to be very laissez-faire with it in my personal life, I never have costumes really figured out in advance and I rarely commit to plans, but then I always love and long for a good, solid Halloween party that I can plan around. This year I’ll be on the road during it so I’m definitely planning a Halloween look for at least one of the shows. But yes, I’m all about spooky season, I love the falltime, and I love how it brings out the fun and creative parts of society for one day.
Izzy Cihak: After “Drop Dead,” you released really cool official music videos for the two follow-up singles, “222” and “Montón.” What kinds of things have been most inspiring the visual elements of your work recently?
Tei Shi: The “222” video concept was actually inspired by an article about conjoined twins that my friend and collaborator Jonatán López told me about. But we wanted that video to feel like just a day out on the town with the girls. It’s kind of funny and really joyful, which I love about it. “Montón” was a collaboration with Joaquin Castillo, whose work I just love so much. It was a simple idea, we wanted to create a kind of fantasy dreamy love fest with the amazing cast, and because we were shooting the album cover at the same time, the lighting and everything was really beautiful and dialed in and it was just a super fun, chaotic, and beautiful process.
Izzy Cihak: On a similar note, I saw (on Twitter) that you attended a screening of Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt the other night, so I’m curious if you’re a big fan of cinema in general and, if so, if there are any directors or works that you especially love? I’m a total cinephile nerd.
Tei Shi: Oh yeah, I definitely am a big fan of movies and the whole world of film. I’m a fan of Luca Guadagnino’s work and I thought the movie was really great. I also got to see Julia Roberts in the flesh!!! Some directors I love are Pedro Almodóvar, David Lynch (rest in power), Sofia Coppola, Tsai Ming Liang, Hitchcock…
Izzy Cihak: You debuted your current live show last month in LA, so I have to ask how that went? Did everything go as you had hoped? Any surprises or standout moments?
Tei Shi: To be honest, since it was the first one, there were definitely some hitches and tech issues, things not quite working as planned and such, but that said, it was an awesome show. I was going through some personal stuff in the days surrounding it, so it was a tough one to get through if I’m honest. But it was really beautiful. The energy was really great, and I just got a lot of love back from the audience.
Izzy Cihak: What can be expected of the live show when you play your next show right here at MilkBoy in Philly? The only time I’ve gotten to see you was when you opened for Kimbra on Valentine’s Day a few years back, which was great, albeit a bit brief and lacking in intimacy.
Tei Shi: Oh cool, I had so much fun on that tour with Kimbra. It’s been a while though since I’ve done my own show in Philly, I think actually maybe since my first album in 2017?? I’m super excited to come back after all this time. I’m doing the whole new album and a bunch of my older discography, jumping around my albums and EPs. So, it’s a mix of everything — there’s some super acoustic, intimate moments and then there’s some fun big chaotic moments. I have a live guitarist on stage with me who is just ripping… it’s really fun. There’s a lot of dancey moments but also some big ballad vibes, it’s just a big ride. I’m bringing a gorgeous set and the lighting is kind of spooky and fantasy… I’m ready to rage out with you, Philly!
Izzy Cihak: On a related note, how do you like playing sweaty, intimate barrooms like MilkBoy? They tend to be my favorite spaces, but I know they can sometimes be limiting when it comes to production and even just having space to move around onstage.
Tei Shi: I love divey intimate rooms, though obviously I’d love to play a big stage and have more production, a full band, etc. I do feel like I’m a sweaty club girl at heart and I love the potential for big energy in a small space.
Izzy Cihak: For a number of these dates, including the local one, support will be provided by Marem Ladson, who seems super cool, but who I am yet to see live. What are your thoughts on her and her sounds?
Tei Shi: I really like what I’ve heard of Marem’s. I love her new song “Cavity” and am excited to see how she performs it on the road – I haven’t been able to see her live yet, so I’m just genuinely looking forward to hearing her and sharing the stage with her!
Izzy Cihak: You have a bit of a gap between the North American dates that wrap in Portland at the end of November and the following date, which is mid-February in London. How are you hoping and planning to spend that “break” in-between? Are you looking to enjoy some downtime, or do you have some musical plans for that period?
Tei Shi: I’m actually going to a wedding and then taking my first vacation in years – truly going to disconnect for 10 days in the Caribbean and just recharge. I’d love to get back in the studio in January, so we’ll see.
*Get your tickets here.
