TESSA USA TOUR DIARY – DETROIT, AUSTIN, SXSW (Part 1)

April 18, 2016

Imagine a large black SUV pulling up to your door fully clad with a small crew of artists and business minds alike, ready to lug you and the VERY small amount of things you have on the musical journey of a lifetime. Those of you how know me, know that around 11:30 pm, I start to near the “past my bed-time” point (not the traditional rockstar, but what can I say? I guess all of those years of Alessandro Costantini ‘very calmly’ reminding me I should go home and rest my voice after a rehearsals for YES Theatre stuck in my head). On this day, I can tell you my heart was racing and eyes were wide open around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016. The car pulled up, and CornerstoneLifestyle and Karmaxwave were off to Detroit for our first tour date.

Now, no tour can be done without some sort of crew to help you along the way. And let me tell you that crew will become your family very quickly. I was lucky to have the most amazing people surrounding me during this journey and I figured you should meet them:

My producer DEP BCS, who is my rock when dealing with the business side of this crazy industry. (You know me! I’m just an artist. I can only look at so many words on so many pieces of paper before my head spins).

Karma Jonez, the man with the plan, the plug himself. No one has a mind like him. He is a true believer in hard work and the universe being on our side. He managed our tour with a firm head on his shoulders even when we dealt with some crazy speed bumps along the way!

The amazingly talented Karma Khan. A WICKED rapper from Detroit and I was fortunate to go on this whole touring journey with him.

Alexandrea Mcgillis and Mr. Joe Beezy leant their brilliant photography to the madness.

And finally the amazing Tatiana with her PR AND Make up skills (jacks of all trades make for a smoother tour!).

Left to right (Tessa, Karma Jonez, Tatiana, DEP BCS, Karma Khan).

SOUNDTRACK FOR DRIVE TO DETROIT: Exchange by Bryson Tiller

We arrived in Detroit around 2:30am. Our wonderful investor/billet/amazing supporter Robyn was there to welcome us to our Detroit home. By now it’s REALLY passed my bedtime. But there is no rest for these musicians tonight. We set up shop, and get to work, writing and recording.

SOUNDTRACK FOR DAY 2 IN DETROIT: Girl by Destiny’s Child

It’s performance day! Karma Khan and I work hard rehearsing for our evening show at The Bridge. Karma Jonez gets the crew together for soundcheck and we are on our way to the venue. It’s got a cool/chill atmosphere with purple/pink lighting that sets a great mood. There is an amazing local live band who has learned all of our music. The place is full of music lovers and artists alike. Detroit reminds me of Sudbury in the sense that it’s central arts scene is very connected and supportive of each other. Loud cheers are and amazing art is consumed all night. My soul is full! Now it’s time to get some sleep and get ready to head to Texas for SXSW!

SOUNDTRACK TO AUSTIN: Lucy The Tease by Allan Rayman

Exhausted but running on adrenaline at the thought of all of the live music we are about to experience at SXSW in Austin, we pull an all nighter before the flight. The squad heads to the Detroit airport for 5:00am for our flight to Dallas at 7:30am. We arrive in Dallas at 9:30 (with time change…) and proceed our drive to Austin, but not without getting to work writing while on the road of course! The new atmosphere and hot weather stimulate our creativity ;).

SOUNDTRACK TO SXSW: Electric Feel by MGMT

We finally arrive and the festival, and although it is only Wednesday, it is totally ELECTRIC. All of my senses are buzzing with new music, new food, new landscapes to see. You cannot walk passed any building on 6th Street without hearing a band, DJ, rapper, spoken word artist, clarinet player or anything in genre you could possibly imagine blaring out from all of the open concept bars/pubs/restaurants all doubling as performance spaces. It is artist heaven. Artists busking in the streets on all corners give entertainment along the walk down the strip. We stick close together so no one gets lost in the madness!

We see probably 100 artists of all genres during our three days in Austin. Some highlights include Allan Rayman and St. Lucia at the Spotify stage on our second day at the festival which was also St. Patrick’s Day. Hands down best St. Patty’s day ever…chillen in the blazing sun and listening to more live music than your head can even handle. Oh, and cold beer.

Friday is performance day and we could be more excited! Our show is at 1pm so we are up early preparing! All of my new hip hop friends have to endure my vocal tutor warm up app that was definitely more popular among the theatre folk HA. (Shout out to Tafari Anthony for that app though, it’s the best).

Tati gets my make-up in check. And we’re off to the venue-Bayou on 6th.

This venue is being used especially for hip-hop and RnB performers. It has dark green walls and a raised stage where the DJs are set up. I’m feeling nervous but good. After all, dreams are coming true. DEP BCS and I both perform our sets and it is magic. The crowd in Austin is so supportive and the buzz of the festival around us is so alive. SO WILD!!! Our performances are followed by a little bit of media before we hit the road for our next stop in Vegas. Stay tuned for Part II of the touring adventures and fly to Las Vegas with us!