Brooklyn based alt R & B crooner, Tei Shi just released the visuals for her track, “Get It” off her most recent EP, Verde. The video features a bare Tei Shi desperately longing for someone as she quietly wails, ” I know you will come and get it when you are good and ready,” amidst brief videos of a lunar eclipse. Although the sensual lyrics and loud whispers on the track induce sexual thoughts, Tei Shi isn’t doing anything particularly sexy-in fact, you barely see her at all. The crisp black and white frames solely exhibit parts of her face which we catch a glimpse through her blonde wet hair while the camera jumps from shot to shot. Each word she sings lingers after the other creating a haunting, yet comforting ‘sinking into a warm bathtub’ feeling. “Get It” is the perfect dream track to send you into a deep winter coma that hinders any urge to leave your bed to go to a house party on a frigid Saturday night. While the video, though simple, is just perfect.
Watch Tei Shi’s “Get It” and read our interview with Tei below.
Your video for “Bassically” is like a Tarantino directed short film about a riot grrrl band infiltrating the British military in 1990. Where did you come up with the idea for the video?
All of the videos I’ve done have been very collaborative with close friends whose opinions and tastes I respect and align with, so in that sense it’s been really personal, but also very fun and creative. For the “Bassically” video, which was directed by my close friend Nick Pesce, we went in with a rough concept of a girl troop fighting some mysterious enemy…the aesthetic we were going for was kind of 80s comic book/grindhouse—so yeah you could say Tarantino-esque feel. Initially I knew that I wanted the video to center around this female troop in some sort of combative, fantastical way. The aesthetic came later, and it wasn’t until after we had shot it that a lot of the details and fun elements were added in.
Actually, all of your music videos are shot like beautifully directed short films. Do movies influence your work?
Nick is a filmmaker and has introduced me to a lot of stuff I’ve binged on, so in working together there is definitely a large draw from film-based references. In general, I think videos are an amazing way of expanding the world that a song can live in. It’s just another way to give the music a story and angle. So generally I do like to approach them more from a kind of story telling or conceptual angle rather than just a visual accompaniment to the song, that’s definitely important to me!
What is your favorite movie at the moment?
Right now I’m revisiting a lot of old Hitchcock films, which feel a lot more like watching theater…a really captivating play. I recently re-watched Dial M for Murder and it’s one of my favorites. His films are incomparable…psychological thrillers without any effects or thrills, just mind play and word play.
Your cover of Beyonce’s “No Angel” is one of my favorites. What song will you cover next? More Beyonce?
Thank you! I’m not sure about future covers…generally I come to the conclusion that most songs I love are left as they are and not messed with haha, but it is really fun to recreate a song you love. There are lots of Beyonce songs I would have fun doing…who knows.
Verde has more of an electro pop vibe than your first EP. What pop stars besides Queen Bey inspire your work?
I wouldn’t necessarily say I draw inspiration when it comes to my music directly from any one person, but in terms of large female musical personas, I admire many. From Beyonce to Bjork to Lana Del Rey to Grimes to Ariana Grande to Amy Winehouse and everywhere in between.
What was it like to shoot the video for “See Me” in your home town of Bogotá?
Shooting the See Me video was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a long time. It wasn’t something that was really planned too much, and actually shooting in Bogota was a decision that happened very last minute. But it gave me a chance and an excuse to explore a lot of places in the city that I had not been to since I was a little girl, and other places I had never been to before. Overall, kind of reconnecting and getting more personal with where I was, because usually when I go there I just stick to my usual places and routines. I was seeing things through new eyes while also being alongside Jonatan Lopez and Adrian Arrendondo, who make up Dreamtiger. They directed the video. Adrian had never been to Colombia before and Jonatan was actually born there, but hadn’t been since he was a baby. So, it was really interesting seeing the experience through their eyes as well. It was just a really wonderful time, and the video turned into something really meaningful for me, that gave the song a whole new dimension.
You have coined the genre “Mermaid Music” because you don’t want labels defining your style. Personally, I think your music speaks for itself-no labels necessary. Do you have any advice for alt women who want to make in in the music industry?
Yeah, the term was initially just something I used for the description section of my facebook page, I didn’t know what to put and didn’t want to have to classify the music genre-wise. I think if there is any advice I could give, although I don’t yet consider myself really apt for giving advice on this front—it would be just know what you want. The better you know yourself and what you want to do with your music and goals within this world, the better you’ll be able to navigate all the bullshit that inevitably will come along. But then also enjoy it, which seems like the harder part at times haha.
Verde is out now.
Danielle O’Neill
