Interview: Tess Henley

Interview: Tess Henley
04.13.15

Seattle Music News had a chance to chat with Seattle native Tess Henley, a soulful singer, songwriter, and pianist, as she made a home stop on her national tour.

TM: Your parents began piano lessons at the age of 3. What is your earliest memory of the piano and how old were you when you realized this was something that you loved?
TH: I guess some of my earliest memories were sitting at the piano on a booster chair because I was too… I couldn’t reach the keys at that age. Playing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” and very basic songs like that. I think probably when I started to sing, maybe 4 or 5, just me and my mom around the house. I knew it was something I really loved doing. Singing songs with her and having music play around the house. My dad, who also loves music, playing the music he liked listening to. Knowing my mom was in a band, that’s when I really started getting into it.

TM: That’s awesome, piano on a high chair. You spoke of your mom being in a band, and your dad listening to music – what are your influences then? What got you into the genre of soul?
TH: I think there’s so many… I’ve been influenced by so many things, but especially my mom. She was in a cover band and she sang a lot of pop, dance music, but also soul and Motown. She really loved that particular genre of music. I was just really drawn towards it at a young age, the soul in Motown and funk and jazz and everything kind of in that vein… I think just growing up listening to that music and then just naturally being drawn to it.

TM: You’re super smart, valedictorian, graduated from UW… What about your academic accomplishments can you contribute to such an extensive musical background? How do you think music has shaped the way you learn and approach the world?
TH: When I started learning piano, I was under the Suzuki Method, which is a Chinese style of teaching, and it’s really disciplined. Very regimented. I think that definitely helped me in school. You always hear about music helping people learn, helping students learn, especially classical music. It has an effect on the brain. I also think the discipline from that particular method of teaching really helped me in school. Big time. It became a way I lived, and approached things.

TM: What is your songwriting process? Do you write songs with lyrics already in mind, or does that come last? Also, which song has been the hardest to write?
TH: For me, it always depends what comes first – the music or the lyrics. Sometimes I’ll have an idea for a song lyrically, and I’ll try to match whatever I’m trying to convey lyrically with music. For the most part, I tend to start with melodies and chords. That’s usually what comes first for me. Then I’ll think about what the chords and melody feels like. Also, just the way I learned classically, my teacher was very descriptive when she would… when we’d be playing songs, she would just be like, “you’re floating down a river, and you’re going up and down the waterfall!” That kind of thinking about songs… Witnessing something in your head – I think that’s how I look at writing.

The hardest song for me to write… The ones that are hardest to write are the ones when I stopped writing, or if I take a break in the middle of writing. That – you hear a lot – when you’re in the zone or when you’re in the groove writing, don’t stop or take a break, just finish, because it’s really hard to get back in that… to finish once you’ve done that. I have a lot of bits and pieces of songs that, really, it’s because I took a break and they’re still unfinished. Probably for a couple years now, or more.

TM: How was performing on Jimmy Kimmel? Were you absolutely terrified, or were you thinking, “Nah, I got this.”?
TH: I was really nervous. I was confident but also really nervous at the same time, which is a weird combination. I was… I kind of went through in my head all of the things that had led up to that moment. You kind of think, “Oh yeah, this is what I expected to happen. I’ve done this thing before, I’ve performed for people, I’ve performed for big audiences.” That part of it – it’s just another performance. When I got to the set, and I was getting ready, I was okay, I was relaxed. I think about 30 minutes leading up to the call-time, when all the workers started coming and the rooms got louder – there was more energy in the room – I was really trying to control the nerves. It was getting to me at that point. When I got up there, I think it’s what a lot of artists like about performing live, there’s a nervous energy. It’s fulfilling.
TM: Cathartic.
TH: Yeah, yeah.

TM: That’s what you’re out there to do and it’s just another night, right?
TH: Yeah. I tried not to think about all the thousands of people that would be watching on TV. That was really the big thing, that you only get one take.

TM: You’re 13 dates into this tour. Is there any particular city that stands out, so far?
TH: Each show has been really different. Each show and city has had their own vibe and experience. I really liked the New York show, there was a lot of energy at that one. It was a full room. I really liked the Highline Ballroom. I’d never been to D.C., we played at the Howard Theatre, which is an historical venue. I love the city. What was another one? Chicago, Chicago was a really cool city. Atlanta was cool too. Atlanta was more of an intimate thing, which I like, and also the legendary venue in that city.

TM: It sounds like you’re having fun everywhere!
TH: Yeah, I know. I haven’t had a bad experience yet!

TM: Playing in Seattle on your tour is going to be a special night for you, I’m sure. Is this going to be your first time performing at Neumos? What other Seattle spots have you previously played?
TH: This is my first time. I’ve played most of the venues in Seattle. I’ve played the Crocodile, and the High Dive, and the Showbox Sodo, Showbox Market. The Moore Theatre. A lot of the smaller venues. I’ve always liked Neumos, so I’m excited to finally play there.

TM: Which song do you enjoy performing most, and why?
TH: What I’ve noticed on this tour: sometimes we will get really lively crowds that want to dance and cheer. Then you’ll get maybe more of a quiet audience… Some crowds have been really awesome. In those cases, I’ve been playing different songs depending on the type of audience. I think people tend to like “Who Are You” from my last album, and “Wonderland,” and “Positively Me” off of this new EP. I’ve enjoyed playing all the songs, I usually just don’t play the ones I may be tired of playing.

TM: Do you take requests?
TH: I do, if I know it. I’ve been playing my original music… I started out playing more in the bars in Seattle and a lot of covers, mixing with originals – it’s been awhile since I’ve done that. Now, when people request covers, I haven’t. If they request an original, I’m totally game for that.

TM: Your music is honest, tender, beautiful, and engaging: have you ever had a night where you’ve just broken down performing your own material?
TH: There have been times when I kind of put myself back in that, whatever it was that I was going through at the time. When I’ve played the songs and I’ve felt on the verge… breaking down, I don’t think I’ve ever… It’s always been, “don’t cry, don’t, DO NOT, just get through it.” I can’t remember a time where I actually let it…

TM: Wash over you?
TH: Yeah. Especially in the writing process. I know that some of those songs, like “Wonderland,” I sometimes… when I’m writing the song, it’s so personal to me that even just writing the lyrics, I have trouble keeping it together, just because it’s so real at that point and time.

TM: Have you begun material for a new album? Any new releases on the horizon?
TH: I would hope… I definitely have enough songs and I’m going to continue writing for another album. Hopefully a full length for this next one. I would hope to be starting that in the next year. It’s been a little busy so far with the EP. Hopefully, in this next calendar year, I’ll be starting the next project.

TM: Awesome, we’ll look forward to that. Given the chance, who would you most like to collaborate with?
TH: I always say Stevie Wonder… because who wouldn’t? I think he’s a genius on all fronts. If I could even just go see him play live – it’s always been on my bucket list. I was even at this jazz night in LA at the W Hotel and, it’s like every Sunday night, and I went. I decided to leave a little early, and come to find out Stevie Wonder showed up shortly after I left, and sat in and played. I just kicked myself, thinking that I missed a free Stevie Wonder show.

TM: That’s a terrible story.
TH: I know, it is. Definitely him. There’s so many people I’d love to work with. I think about Tony Bennett and the duets albums he’s done. If I ever have the chance to do that, that’s a moment where I’d be like, “okay, I’ve done something here, I’ve accomplished something.” Yeah.

TM: I’ll cross my fingers for you. We’ll give Tony Bennett a call! What album are you currently digging? What’s in your car right now?
TH: I have been into a real mix of things. Tune-Yards I’ve been digging lately, which is really different from Gregory Porter, who I also have been listening to. Those are the two off the top of my head.

TM: How often do you rotate? Or do you listen to the same thing for six months?
TH: I’m one to listen to the same stuff, over and over. I just play it out.
TM: Exhaust them.
TH: Yeah.

TM: All right, I’ve got one more question for you. This is a question we ask all of our interviewees: If you were stuck on an island, and you could only have one book, one movie, and one album, what would they be?
TH: Oh my gosh. Okay. I would think if I’m stuck on an island… I’m just going with what is coming to my head right now… which feels most natural…
TM: Go for it.
TH: There’s a book called Mind Gym. I read it in high school. It’s about keeping your mind mentally strong, which I feel would come in handy when you’re on an island. Movie? People will make fun of me for this, but I think I always have to go back to Sister Act 2.
TM: Yes, that’s awesome.
TH: Album…
TM: One album.
TH: Oh my gosh… Recently, I’ve been listening to Innervisions by Stevie Wonder, and Off the Wall by Michael Jackson. Two choices… would be tough to pick… Let’s go with Off the Wall, to keep me…
TM: Positive?
TH: Positive, yeah. Feeling good.