Tessa Violet is a musician who has procured a strong fanbase through the internet, with 1.5 million subscribers and over 870,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Tessa Violet began on YouTube in the early 2000s and has continued to post videos ever since. After releasing her first album in 2014, Tessa hasn’t slowed down and has gained success by posting both covers and original works. I had the opportunity to speak with Tessa Violet and learn more about her music, motives, and upcoming projects.
Photo by Alexandra Thomas
You’ve talked about Instagram stalking, do you think that diving into someone’s digital presence can make you like “the idea” of someone?
Yeah most definitely.
Have you ever had any instances where you like “the idea” of someone, but they wind up being disappointing in reality
I mean… yes.
You’re very good when it comes to interacting with fans and replying to them on social media – is this important to you?
Honestly, it’s fun and easy. I get why artists feel burdened by social media, there’s a lot of pressure to be your own street team/constantly available online and somehow still find the time to make your art, but I just don’t feel that way. I love Twitter especially. I think the key is to just pick a few things you really enjoy and do them well. It’s easy when it’s fun and doesn’t feel like a job.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkdKeIVlUtQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
You and Dodie Clark are good friends and have even toured together, have you ever felt like you need to separate yourself from her image/brand?
I can honestly say that thought has never occurred to me. I love what Dodie does if people like both of us I’m flattered.
What has your experience been like working with COIN?
Amaaaaaazing, what a super fun tour. The band was all super nice and welcoming to me and my team and their fans are incredible. It’s really a treat as a support act to get to go out and to perform for a crowd who’s rooting for you (whether or not they know your music yet). 10/10 would recommend.
There’s something that sounds like a Disney “trill” at the beginning of “Bad Ideas”, was this intentional?
Nope! It’s just a harp. [It’s] neat though!
What’s the meaning behind your “Bad Ideas” single cover art? Is that going to be the album art for the full “Bad Ideas” album art?
Can neither confirm nor deny 😉
Do you have your confirmed date for your album release?
Just taking it one song at a time! Want to give a little spotlight to each of them.
Are you excited about Lollapalooza? Are you doing anything specific or special to prep for it?
SO EXCITEDDDDDDDDDDD!!!! This will be my first festival! It’s right in the middle of a headline tour so we’ll be well rehearsed and ready for it Also stoked because it will be the first festival I attend and there’s a lot of acts I’m excited about seeing perform!
Finally, what’s the main message you’re trying to send through your music?
I don’t think I have a main message. I write to figure out how I’m feeling about something. Heavy things hold less weight when you have the words to understand them. It’s therapeutic.
You can see Tessa Violet on tour this summer, or listen to her music on YouTube and Spotify. Her latest single, “I Like The Idea of You” is currently streaming across all of these platforms.
Featured image courtesy of Tessa Violet’s team at Black Box.
