Heavily influenced by the likes of Blondie, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa and many more, Theresa has loved music throughout her life, and began her journey in the industry working behind the scenes. Now though, at the age of 40, she’s decided it’s time she’s the one who gets to step into and enjoy the spotlight, and she’s quickly earned herself a growing fanbase and plenty of critical support from publications and websites. Having just dropped the lyric video for her new single “Marathon”, PopWrapped caught up with Theresa to find out why she felt now was the right time to ‘come out of hiding’ and share her talents with the world and get her thoughts on the power and influence of social media as well where she’d like to see herself several years from now.

Who exactly is Theresa in a few words or a sentence? 

Theresa: Theresa is a confident 40-year-old woman who is pursuing her dreams of becoming a pop star and hit songwriter.

Prior to focusing on your own music, you worked behind the scenes for the likes of Jive Records and Sheryl Crow’s management team. What was it in particular that spurred you on to step out of the shadows, so to speak? 

I actually went to hide in the shadows first before stepping out! As a young girl living out on Long Island, I had aspirations of being the next Madonna. I started aggressively writing songs when I was 11 years old. I had it all figured out – and planned to move to the city – New York City – to make it BIG as soon as I graduated high school. Unfortunately, my teenage years were rough, and as soon as I left home for my big break, I went through some major setbacks – both my father and best friend were sick and eventually passed away within my first three months living in New York City. Money was always an issue and my dreams seemed so far away. My self-confidence took a nose-dive and I just didn’t think I was “good enough” to make it. So, I thought that maybe if it’s not working out for me being the “star”, maybe I can work in the background. I then pursued intern and entry level opportunities at Jive Records and with Sheryl Crow’s management team – later finding great success working in music for advertising. As this career started to soar, I thought, “oh maybe this is what I was destined to do”…I was wrong.  

In December 2018, after years of ignoring my past, I had a blip…I rediscovered my old songs and some demos I had recorded long ago. I started to cry. I knew right then and there that being an artist and songwriter WAS my purpose and decided to begin again. This time with self-confidence and determination.

What might you say is your unique selling point as an artist? What is it that sets you apart from the many other bands and solo acts in the industry today?

I think there is a void of women – and new artists in general – that are over a certain age on the current pop charts. I want to show and inspire people that they can follow their dreams – no matter how crazy their dreams may be – at any age. I am already a very successful business woman. I don’t need to do this. I am DRIVEN to do this. Anything is possible. Our dreams do not expire!

How would you sum up your sound and the type of music you make? Which bands and artists are you most influenced by and how do such influences filter through your own songs? 

I am a pop girl – plain and simple! I am proud to write and produce very catchy pop songs that get stuck in your head for days. Though I am a huge fan of artists like Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa – I am still very much inspired by some of my idols like Madonna, Duran Duran, Queen, Mariah Carey and Blondie. I like to blend – a little of the old school, a little of the new school but at the core, it’s all ME. I love how all these artists and bands made – and make! – music on their terms. They were not afraid to go into uncharted territories. I am making the music that I love. I am not following anybody’s rules but my own.

What is it about your new track “Marathon” that made you think “I want to release that as a single? Is there a particular story or source of inspiration to the song? 

Like most of my music, I wrote “Marathon” as an anthem to myself – to remind myself to keep going; to not stop until I get to the top. And sometimes we all need to let go and let the universe do her job. Which is easier said than done for sure but I have been practicing patience knowing that it’s all going to work out the way it should, when it should.  

To me, “Marathon” is an anthem about hanging in there – knowing that my time WILL COME and when it does come, I will do everything in power to savor and enjoy each and every moment. One of my favorite books is “Oh, The Places You Will Go” by Dr. Seuss. It’s all about this wild game of life and how we all must go through some twists and turns before we fully understand our full potential on our journey. It’s a powerful lesson that I really don’t think I got until a couple of years ago when I started out on this evolution of a lady. And now at 40, I’ve never been so confident.

This year has been so unpredictable for all of us. I wanted to release this song to inspire others to hang on. Sometimes the journey doesn’t make sense, but you will get to where you need to be if you keep on course…cause life ain’t a race, it’s a “Marathon”…

I wanted the lyric video to reflect the celebratory nature of the song and collaborated with my friend Brigitta Martiana to bring that vision to life.  The result is a colorful, vibrant and fun video that compliments the song perfectly!

You’ve been championed by several outlets and racked up thousands upon thousands of streams to date. With that in mind, how important do you feel the likes of technology and social media are for an artist today? Are you a frequent social media user, and do you think it’d be possible for an act to achieve success today without having that “connection” to their audience/potential audience? 

It’s crazy to see how many ways it’s possible for an artist to get discovered by fans. As someone who works in the music business, it is amazing how much music is at my disposal from all over the world. But as an artist, it’s super competitive because there is so much music from all over the world…so I definitely want to stay as active as possible by releasing music often and sharing regularly across my socials. I am so grateful to all the people who have been discovering my music organically. It’s so cool to have someone from somewhere like Brazil comment on my music and follow me anxiously awaiting for the next single. I love that I can give my fans a glimpse into what I am doing, where I am going and what I am working on. It’s a special connection that I think enhances the whole music fan experience. But I never want to come off as someone I am not. I do think people and potential fans can smell bullshit from a mile away and I want to make sure my honesty shines through in everything I do. If it feels forced, I don’t do it – in social media and beyond.

How have your plans for the year been affected by the Corona Virus pandemic and what have you been doing to keep yourself creative and busy over the last few months? As and when the world returns to some semblance of normality, what’s the one thing you’re most looking forward to doing, personally and professionally? 

This whole year has taught me to slow down. I actually had just come home from an LA song-writing trip the Friday before we went into quarantine AND literally had my first band practice the night before. I was so on top of the world – and then like so many people, I had to put everything on hold. At first it was scary, but as everything unfolded, I started looking within. I said to myself that I may not be able to cure the world of the virus – or stupidity – but let me work on being kind and loving to myself and others. I continued to write. I finished up some tracks – including “Marathon” – that needed some extra love before being shared with the world, started having a few remote sessions, working with folks across the country – and even flourished in my amazing “day job” as an advertising music producer for a large advertising agency. I’ve been starting to get back in the studio to work on some new music and it’s such an amazing feeling for me to walk in with an idea that I had in my head and see it come to life. 

On a more personal note, I am SO looking forward to getting back on a Soul Cycle bike. The high I get during and after a Soul class is so good. I also miss hanging out with my friends – especially those spontaneous hangs that turn into crazy late nights. Hopefully we will all be reunited soon!

Finally then, as a fairly new artist in an ever competitive and cut throat business, what advice might you give to those individuals and bands just finding their feet in the industry? Where do you want to be and to have achieved several years from now, and what’s the one thing you REALLY want to tick off your personal/professional bucket lists?

BELIEVE, BELIEVE, BELIEVE. If you have a dream, GO for it. When you believe in yourself, surround yourself with people who make you feel good and follow your heart, I firmly believe you can accomplish anything. Consistency is key. It may be hard, it may not make sense but keep BELIEVING!

I recently put together a list of goals that I want to achieve – some that seem super attainable and others that could be pipe dreams to some people. I would LOVE to hear my music all over the radio – as they climb on top of the Billboard charts. I want to collaborate with some of the artists and songwriters I look up to.  And of course, I want to not only perform but guest host on SNL! But my main goal in everything I am doing is to inspire people with my music and story. I’ve lived a crazy life and I have a lot to share. I am seriously just getting warmed up.

Check out the lyric video for “Marathon” below and for more information on Theresa, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.