With the release of her debut single, Dear Love, Tessa Marie is beginning an exciting new chapter. Blending heartfelt songwriting, cinematic production, and a hopeful perspective, the young singer-songwriter is quickly finding her voice as an artist.

We sat down with Tessa to talk about the moment music became more than a hobby, the artists who inspired her, and what she hopes listeners take away from her songs.

Every artist has a moment when music stops being a hobby and starts becoming part of who they are. Looking back, when did that happen for you?

Songwriting became more of a passion than a hobby very quickly for me, I would say. Especially once I got into high school and realized just how often I was inspired and had so much to say. I would say it got truly serious for me when I was around 15 years old, and I realized that I was constantly and irrevocably drawn to it every second of every day. I simply could not stay away from it, and with that realization it became very serious.

With Dear Love now introducing listeners to your music, how would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?

I would say my sound right now is a “cinematic soft pop,” if that makes sense. It’s delicate and youthful, but it also carries a sort of strong emotional maturity in it as well. The instrumentation is thoroughly built out, and there are also several twists throughout the songs which add a lot of variety. I think right now there’s a big focus on acoustic singer-songwriter music, which I love! But I think my ability to still convey raw emotion and vulnerability in a more upbeat, pop kind of way is something I’m really proud of!

Listening to your music, it’s easy to hear the importance of storytelling. Who were some of the artists that helped shape your voice as a songwriter?

That’s a tough question because there are so many! Adele and Elton John are big ones, especially lyric-wise. I think their vulnerability and storytelling were (and still are) a huge inspiration for me. I also grew up completely obsessed with Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” so I think the tone and intensity of that song can be found in my music if you look for it. Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple are more recent inspirations, but impactful nonetheless. Their music had a significant impact while we were recording my music.

Many of your songs balance vulnerability with strength. Is there a message you’re hoping people connect with when they listen?

I think my music speaks to how sometimes the most delicate, sensitive, empathetic people can also be the strongest. Emotional availability is not a disadvantage, and though, admittedly, it can be tough to navigate at times, it is often one’s greatest superpower.

One thing listeners may not realize is how much detail goes into your recordings. For those who listen closely, what are some things they might discover beneath the surface?

There are a lot of layers of instrumentation in my music, and so there are many small details like the percussion or bass line that add so much but can feel very subtle.

At the end of the day, when someone finishes one of your songs, what do you hope stays with them?

I want them to feel hopeful, like they somehow better understood themselves and their heart. That being said, that kind of impact may take more than one listen, but I honestly just want my music to either bring a smile to their face and a pep in their step or make them feel like they can breathe a bit deeper now.

Dear Love, the debut single from Tessa Marie, is available now on all major streaming platforms. The official music video is also available now.

Fans can also look forward to what’s next. Tessa’s upcoming single, Stranger On the Street, will be released soon, continuing the next chapter of her journey as a songwriter and artist.

Follow Tessa Marie on Instagram and TikTok for the latest music, videos, and upcoming performance announcements.