INTRODUCING SYDNEY INDIE ARTIST TESSE NEW SINGLE ‘MY MADELINE,’ VIDEO OUT NOW
Introducing Tesse (aka Tom Stephens) who today shares his new single ‘My Madeline’, listen here. Birthed from demos recorded at home on his iPad, Stephens produced the track himself working alongside renowned Melbourne based engineers Alex O'Gorman (Angie McMahon) and Joe Carra (Courtney Barnett, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard).
Hailing from the suburbs of South Sydney, Tesse creates intimate, guitar driven sonic worlds filled with everyday suburban nostalgia. ‘My Madeline’ is an exuberant, confident cut off soaring guitar lines, driving drums and mellow keys held together by Stephens’ stand alone vocal style.
Tesse speaks about the track: “My Madeline isn’t about any one specific person. I wrote it with the kind of person in mind who always has their fists up and is pushing back against life. They care a lot and sometimes too deeply. So much of our everyday experiences and occurrences are unfair and a struggle, but there is power in letting go when we feel disoriented and powerless and seeing it as a source for growth.”
The song is accompanied by an eccentric music video directed by acclaimed Sydney filmmaker Olivia Costa. The striking visual piece is imagined as a collection of different people from varying walks of life thrust together, suggesting that Madeline is in some ways every one of them.
Stephens has contributed as a multi instrumentalist to a number of notable bands and songwriters projects including Julia Jacklin, Phantastic Ferniture, Georgia Mulligan and Ainsley Farrell. Under the moniker Tesse, 2018 saw the release of Stephens' first album titled How It All Unfolds. Lead singles 'I'll Tell You in the Morning', 'Keep It Simple' and 'Earthworms' all received high rotation on FBi Radio, as well as spins on triple j, features with Rolling Stone and considerable support from community radio. The accompanying music videos saw plays on ABC’s legendary RAGE program as well as MTV Australia, with ‘Keep It Simple’ being awarded their MTV ‘Upload Video of the Week’. Tesse has supported internationally acclaimed acts Stella Donnelly, Jack River, Angie McMahon, Husky and Luluc.
To celebrate the release of ‘My Madeline’ Tesse will be hitting the live stage with his four piece band playing a headline show on December 10 at Waywards (The Bank Hotel) in Newtown. Tesse will also be joining Sydney band YEEVS at a sold out show on November 29 as a part of ARIA initiative, Great Southern Nights.
UPCOMING SHOWS
NOV 29 - Great Southern Nights w/ Yeevs (SOLD OUT)
DEC 10 - ‘My Madeline’ Single Launch @ Waywards (The Bank Hotel) Newtown
For show information and tickets visit: www.tesseband.com/shows/