MEET THEAIA – KIWI ALT-POP ARTIST ON THE RISE
AFTER Lorde and Kimbra conquered the world music scene, there is another New Zealander who’s making waves. An altpop artist, she is simply named, Theia.
Theia first emerged in 2015 with the exquisite R’n’B-infused “Silver Second,” co-written and produced with Alex Hope (Troye Sivan, Selena Gomez). The follow up came in 2016 with her breakout hit “Roam” (now with over 14 million streams on Spotify), co-written and produced by Josh Fountain (Benee, Leisure).
Her debut EP earned three nominations at the 2017 NZ Music Awards and a nod for ‘Breakthrough Artist’ at the 2017 George FM Awards; while her second EP in 2019, “Not Your Princess,” received international critical acclaim.
This year, just on May 15, Theia released a new project: “The 99% Angel Mixtape.” Written and recorded in Sydney, Australia with producer Liam Quinn, it keeps with Theia’s reputation for pairing clever and socially conscious lyrics with bold, in-your-face productions. Inspired by youth and optimism, as well as the tumultuous journey of being a young up-andcomer in the music industry, this is Theia at her fiercest.
“99% Angel is a mixtape of full songs with the tracks to be released one at a time so each one gets its moment. There are two A-sides and 2 B-sides — kind of like a vinyl record where you have the A-side that’s a little more accessible and the B-side which is a little more edgy underground. It’s a really fun project and the songs are very sassy, some of them are a little angrier, others triumphant,” Theia said in an exclusive phone interview with Music Geek.
The first single from the mixtape, “Kitty Kat” is a powerful yet playful ode to “pussy power,” which blends bright and glossy futuristic alt-pop with crisp hardhitting ‘80s. It was released on February 21.
“’Kitty Kat’ is a song about my experiences being in the music industry so far. Kind of through the filter of, I suppose, being a woman in the industry. It was also inspired by my last single ‘Not Your Princess’ and the response that came from there on YouTube. A lot of them were good and also a lot of them were cruel comments so I decided to put them all into the song,” she said of the single.
The next release was “Frat Boyz” on March 27.
Here is the rest of Music Geek’s phone interview with this promising Christchurch-born singer and songwriter.
How important is it for your music to be heard beyond Australia
It’s very important. I think that anyone who creates anything always wants to travel far as they possibly can. It’s very important to me that the work I create can travel to people everywhere around the globe. I think that when you make something — even just a little different or super edgy or out there — there will always be other people who feel the same way. I definitely know that there would be some other people somewhere perhaps like yourselves that would like the music that I’m making.
Who are your musical influences?
When I was growing up, in the 2000’s I was very much into Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse who are in a completely different spectrum. I was also into R&B and hip-hop, like I was a real fan of Keri Hilson, Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Now I’m into legendary bands like Fleetwood Mac and music that’s currently coming out especially female rappers.
“Roam” was a huge break out song for you. How do you feel it now has 14 million streams on Spot ify?
I would say that that song was just crazy. It’s like, “Why? What happened?” I believe that all of my music is pretty much just as good so as long as I’m super happy with the music that I’m making then it’s fine. I personally like to think I’m getting better practically as an artist with every song that I make. I think that’s important to every artist’s goal, to have them hone their craft. As much as numbers as very fabulous like I’m still very lucky when songs do well.
What advice would you give to little girls who’ d like togo into the music industry?
Make sure that you’ve got a strong sense of yourself so you know what you believe in and what you don’t believe in. Because if you know that then the voice follows your gut, then you will never be led astray. Also, to have a really cool team around you like people that would really be honest with you and support you no matter what. And certainly, just never give up because it can be really tough but if you truly believe that music is meant for you then never give up because eventually it will happen.
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