The enchanting singer-songwriter THEA pursues candidness in her artistry. The Ottawa local, who spent a portion of their childhood in Iqaluit, creates independent music and is a member of the band Gold Tongues.
Alluring vocals are a staple of THEA’s craft. On June 14, the University of Ottawa alum shared a conversation with The Charlatan about her music journey and experience in the Ottawa music scene.
The Charlatan (TC): When did your love for music begin? Do you have any childhood memories connected to music?
T (THEA): I’ve been into music for as long as I can remember. My mom put me in the church choir in Iqaluit. There was a moment when I was selected to do a solo, and my friends were also in the choir. I noticed they were really captivated and hyped me up. That gave me this feeling that music was something I could be good at and that I could potentially pursue. From that point onwards, music was my first love.
TC: How did you grow in your music?
T: I was mostly doing open mics and covers here and there with friends. I really started to take music seriously once I started meeting people who intentionally made their own music. They helped me get into the scene and start making my own songs.
For example, towards the end of university, I met WLFKT. We were doing university activities together, he was making music, and we recognized we both have potential and are looking to pursue music further. We teamed up and started a group in 2018 called Gold Tongues. That’s how we started to meet the wider community of musicians, DJs and talent in Ottawa, including Yung Heat, who joined us in Gold Tongues.
TC: How would you describe the Ottawa music scene?
T: It’s very eclectic and very memorable. Everybody has their distinct sounds, and each voice is different from the other, but you still see everyone hanging out in one group and enjoying each other’s music. [We all] support each other’s work and love each other’s sound and stage presence. Everyone’s style is so different. It’s really fun to watch and be a part of.
TC: It’s cool how unique this scene’s taste is. There’s really no mould—you get to be your own mould. What defines your music style?
T: My individual music style is a blend of R&B and electronic. Within Gold Tongues, it’s a lot more heavy-hitting and confident, and I rap more. I always get excited to explore these different sides of myself. My individual work is a bit softer and more introspective. It’s interesting that all of Gold Tongues’ individual work is deeply personal to each of us, and then when we’re all together, we’re making anthems about having fun together and enjoying each other’s company. The different sides—the introvert, the extrovert—all have their moments depending on the situation. All three of us are adaptable to varying genres.
TC: Do you find your creative process changes when working independently verses with Gold Tongues?
T: The writing process in the group is super fun because we get to bounce ideas off each other. Sometimes we have a beat that we’re working through individually, listening to over and over again, writing our own parts for and then [bringing the song all] together. Other times, we have an idea of what we’ll write about, and then we have a show-and-tell moment. It’s really fun that we get to react to each other’s stuff. Sometimes, we come up with ridiculous lyrics we don’t plan on using.
My solo work often begins with a melody or lyrics. I’m really inspired by things I hear, see or read. There’s so many ways to start off a song. It can always be out of order. In both settings, it’s a very organic process [that represents] what I’m going through and what I want to shed a light on.
TC: Do you feel drawn to writing about certain themes or parts of yourself?
T: In my solo work, I definitely lean into romantic elements and allow myself softness. Becoming okay with vulnerability has been a big step because sometimes, I don’t want that side of myself to show. If there’s something really close to my heart, I want to do it justice with beautiful melodies and lyrics. I enjoy indulging in romanticizing life, moments and memories. You know when you smell a scent and it takes you back to a specific memory? I want my songs to carry that postcard image of summer nights with friends staying out past 3 a.m., talking at a park.
TC: Beyond being a musician, what other roles do you hold in life?
T: I’m an older sister and I feel like that’s one of my most important hats. I’m also a friend to others. Now more than ever, I’m really recognizing and valuing my role in other peoples’ lives. Helping people grow and realize their worth, and encouraging others helps me feel like I have a role in my family, community and friendships. I’ve had certain instances in my life where I didn’t feel connected to my purpose. Now, my responsibility to be there for others is a lot more clear. We’re always lifting each other up, which is what I really love about my friends and the music we’re all a part of.
TC: What are you looking forward to right now?
T: A theme in my music is the role of fantasy. My upcoming project is going to set up a portal to the inside of my imagination. I want to allow people more of a glimpse into my mind and let it run wild. It’s a really chaotic and nonsensical place where fun things happen. That’s a sneak peek for what’s next. I’m aiming to have at least one single released by the end of the summer.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Featured image provided by THEA.
