Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Teedra Moses makes her long awaited return to the music scene this year, with a brand new EP and a UK tour to boot. Having written countless songs for artists including Christina Milian, Mary J. Blige and Macy Gray, as well as her own smash hit ‘Be Your Girl’, it’s now time for her to take back the mic and shine again. Teedra spoke to Pride about the process of creating new music, the importance of staying happy and who’s catching her ear right now…
Hi Teedra! This EP is your first release since 2015 – what can fans expect?
Teedra Moses: It’s a collection of songs to give my audience an idea of where I am now, musically, and a transition into the album I’m going to make. It’s very sensual – it’s music that makes you feel sensual.
What gets you in the zone when you’re writing music, whether it’s for yourself or for other people?
TM: It’s really the track that does it – I really try to lock in with the track. I listen to it over and over ‘til it decides to tell me what to say. I allow it to work for me; I don’t try and force it if it doesn’t come. I don’t worry about it. I put it away until it works – maybe even a year later I go back to that track and then it talks to me.
Can you tell me what’s currently on your playlist and what songs are you into at the moment?
TM: I love Daniel Caesar’s album, and Jhene Aiko’s album – I listen to that quite often, it’s really good. I love H.E.R., too – I can really get into a lot of new age R&B, soul music. I think it’s very interesting right now, where R&B is; it’s not in a box. It reminds me of the late Nineties and early 2000s, when R&B was weaving in and out of soul, jazz and straight R&B. There’s a lot of good R&B right now.
What is the best music career advice you’ve ever received?
TM: Have fun. When creating the music, performing the music, or just riding out the journey of your career, just have fun! Ultimately, music is something that supposed to make people feel and I like to make people feel good or comforted and inspired. If I’m not enjoying what I’m doing, then how do I expect to translate that kind of energy to people?
You were a celebrity stylist before you made the change to becoming a professional singer – what made you change careers?
TM: I broke my leg on a job years ago when I was wardrobe styling and it sat me down and made me realise that styling wasn’t what I truly wanted to do. Music is in my family: my mother was a gospel singer, my children write… You think it’s just something you enjoy, until God puts you in a position where you can’t do anything else. As a stylist, I was doing something that was cool and fun and I travelled around the world with my friends but it wasn’t my purpose. I’m a Sagittarius, and I think we’re extremely purpose-driven people. I had to lock in and let go, and realise that music is what I’m supposed to do.
Teedra Moses
Choose your favourites out of these options:
Apple Music or Spotify? Spotify
Films or TV shows? That’s a hard one because I’m such a streamer – so, a TV series. If it is on HBO I’ll watch all nine shows in one day. I’m such a binger. It’s very corny, but I just finished watching Santa Clarita Diet on Netflix.
Writing or singing? Writing.
Heels or trainers? Heels.
TLC or Destiny’s Child? TLC.
LA or your hometown, New Orleans? New Orleans.
Winter or Summer? Summer! Always keep it hot, I hate the cold.
And finally, what are you most looking forward to for the rest of this year?
TM: Personally, I am very liberated in my life right now. I’m a single woman and I feel like I don’t know what’s to come. I’m just walking with God, and I’m very excited about that. I’m trusting Him, without an agenda, and seeing where He takes me. Musically, I want to expose myself as a person more, for people get to know me in the music. People very seldom get to see me or hear me speak and I think it’s important that I make that more available for people to get into, me as an artist, and my personality.
Keep up to date with Teedra Moses by following her on Instagram and Twitter: @TeedraMoses
Interview by Rhia Harry
