Theia (aka Christchurch’s Em-Haley Walker) launched onto the music scene with her catchy breakout tune Roam a few years ago which earned her nominations at the 2017 VNZMA’s. Following this Theia has released new music in the form of 2019 EP Not Your Princess and toured across the world and supported international artists including Sia and Tones and I.
The singer-songwriter has amassed millions of streams online and has been a finalist (twice!) in the International Songwriting Competition. Theia’s new mixtape 99% ANGEL is out today.
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CHECK OUT OUR LITTLE CATCH-UP WITH THIS POP WAHINE BELOW:
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1. Happy NZ Music Month! How did you initially get into creating music?
Thank you! I’ve been writing since I was super young (like 8) and it kind of naturally progressed from there to where I realised I could create and make music and art as a full time job like Britney and the other artists I loved.
2. Tell us about your inspirations & motivations?
My inspirations are anyone who’s a bit weird and left of centre. If you’re doing your own thing and don’t care what others think because it means you’re authentic – then I love you! The artists I admire are Björk, Britney, Stevie Nicks, Natalia Kills, Grimes and Slayyyter. There’s also an amazing underground scene I love to dive into – you can hear all my influences on my SC and Spotify playlists I’ve curated.
3. What have you been up to in this lockdown and how has it affected you?
I am an introvert so I’m very happy at home anyway ha ha but lockdown has been great for me, I’ve been more productive and have honestly had the most incredible time doing cyber shows with other artists from LA, NY and Montreal over Zoom to packed rooms of 300+ people.
4. What do you think of the NZ music scene?
It’s certainly infiltrating the world stage which I think is amazing, it’s cool to see that NZ is producing world class music.
5. Goal board time – where would you like to see yourself in a year’s time?
I’d love to be making music I’m buzzing off, playing shows around the world and working with artists I’ve always wanted to work with!
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PRESS RELEASE:
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Theia has today released ‘Celebrity’ – the fourth and final song from her 99% ANGEL mixtape. Listen here.
The video premiered yesterday on US site Billboard. Watch here.
Delivered with Theia’s unmistakable vocals, set against an epic and edgy soundscape with hard-hitting lyricism, ‘Celebrity’ is the mixtape’s tour de force.
“It’s all about the idea of selling your soul to the cult of celebrity – people who would do anything to be seen as famous or successful even if it means losing themselves in the process,” explains Theia, who wrote and recorded her mixtape in Sydney.
The concept for the song’s video takes its inspiration from the dark fantasy subgenre and was developed across continents, laptops and iPhones – with Theia in Sydney and the film’s DOP Nas Nixx (an emerging photographer in LA’s fantasy scene) in the United States.
“My vision for the video was for this elf-like girl to be tainted by groupies and the glam Hollywood, as she transforms into a succubus,” says Nas. “The greed takes her soul; she’s surrounded by groupies but she’s still lonely,” adds Theia.
Theia arrived in LA in early March to shoot the video but within a week, the COVID crisis had deepened.“We discussed pulling the plug but we really wanted for it to be set in LA. Hollywood is the perfect metaphor for the values society places on image. It’s so symbolic of the obsession we have with fame,” says Theia. “Nas was so determined to make it work and that’s what happened! She pulled together the most incredible team – smaller than we’d originally planned – but we got it done before I made a mad dash for LAX and flew back to NZ and straight into quarantine.”
‘Celebrity’ follows the tracks Kitty Kat, Frat Boyz and 99% Angel, completing Theia’s third body of work, the 99% ANGEL mixtape, which cleverly showcases the two world in which she co-exists – hooky mainstream pop, alongside experimental and edgy, alt-pop; and always with a powerful message.
“[Frat Boyz is] a sonic collage with a bass that will rattle your bones… powerful lyricism that elevates the track beyond its genre. All crafted to protest the ongoing misogyny and sexism that plagues society” – Uniquely Aligned
“Bad ass attitude that doesn’t f around” – triple j Unearthed
To celebrate the release of the mixtape Theia is partnering up with North American promoter Strawberry Gothcake for a 99% ANGEL Cyber Zoom Party at 1pmMay 24 NZT. Theia will perform the mixtape back-to-back, with Australian DJ/producer Oh Boy; LA-based artist Gurldoll; Kiwi artist Babyzionov and US DJ Deathbysanrio all on the bill.
Theia first made a splash in 2016 with her debut single ‘Roam’. Her self-titled debut EP earned her three nominations at the 2017 NZ Music Awards; while her second NOT YOUR PRINCESS was nominated for two awards at the 2019 Waiata Music Awards. Theia has twice been a finalist in the pop category of the International Songwriting Competition – this year winning a third place and an honorable mention with her song ‘Not Your Princess’ in the unpublished and Top/40 categories.
Theia has headlined her own tours and played at many of NZ’s biggest festivals. She has opened for Sia;Mika, LEON,Portugal. The Man, The Kite String Tangle and Tones And I. Earlier this year she also performed alongside Dorian Electra at the Heaps Gay Pardi Gras as part of Sydney Mardi Gras
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