A Chat with Theresa (29.04.25)
Theresa is an artist who wears many hats, from singer-songwriter, music executive, to unshakable romantic – all of which come together in her new single ‘Definition of Love’. In this interview, she opens up about the song’s deeply personal roots, her creative evolution, and the unwavering drive behind her multifaceted journey in music.
OSR: Your new single ‘Definition Of Love’ has already captured the attention of many. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the track and what it means to you personally?
Theresa: I am someone who is honestly sooooo in love with being in love, but my actual idea of love has evolved over the years. What makes me happy in life has changed, too. But at the core of it all, I am still a hopeless romantic who believes in fairytale endings. When I wrote this song, and even when I listen to it now, especially when walking down the street, I am instantly transported into a Hollywood movie musical and expect random strangers to join in song and dance with me, celebrating life and love. To me, love is magical and unexpected and inconvenient. Love is everything.
OSR: What was the process like when creating ‘Definition Of Love’? Was there a particular moment during its creation when everything clicked for you?
Theresa: Funny enough, I actually conceived ‘Definition of Love’ five years ago, right before COVID-19. I was about to head to LA for my first-ever songwriting trip, and I had the bones of the song together, but I really didn’t get the song structure and lyrics written until I was out in LA. I was staying at The Garland in North Hollywood (the CUTEST boutique hotel) and was sipping on a glass of wine, and the idea just took shape. The next morning, I had my first session with the insanely talented pop producer and songwriter, Chantry Johnson, and I knew that he was the right collaborator to bring this song to life!! But then, Covid and lockdown and unfortunately, this song was shelved. However, it’s one of those songs that always got stuck in my head, and I just kept going back to it, so I decided to reunite with Chantry last October, and we dusted it off. And the rest is pop music history.
OSR: You’ve mentioned the influence of artists like Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Mariah Carey on your sound. What specific aspects of their artistry do you admire and try to incorporate into your own work?
Theresa: I definitely would not be a singer and songwriter if it weren’t for Madonna. Hands down, she is the most influential artist to me. I grew up wanting to follow in her footsteps. She taught me how to sing and inspired me to “express myself” in so many ways.
Mariah Carey is from Long Island, not too far away from where I grew up. She not only has an amazing vocal range but wrote and still writes ALL her own music – a fact that I think goes unlooked by so many critics. She inspired me to write music from my heart and tell honest stories through my music. And Gaga, I mean, what a powerhouse of an artist. She is just so authentic to her craft and continues to push the envelope as a singer, songwriter and producer. All three of these women are just so incredible. Watching each of them evolve throughout their careers has been so inspiring. I absolutely LOVE that they are so unapologetic as artists and as women, and that’s something that I do hope other people will love about me, too.
OSR: As someone with a growing fanbase, how do you stay connected with your listeners, and what role do they play in your creative process?
Theresa: I must admit, although I am SO grateful for all of my listeners, I actually don’t consider them in my creative process. That’s not to say that when I am planning a show that I am not being mindful of what songs would be the most entertaining for the crowd but when I am in a creative zone, I have to remain true to myself as an artist and not listen to the outside noise, whether that be positive or negative. I have to impress myself before I can impress anybody else.
OSR: You’ve had a diverse career so far, from advertising music executive to singer-songwriter. How do you balance both sides of your professional life, and how do they complement each other?
Theresa: Sometimes I feel like I live two different lives. There are never enough hours in a day for me to complete all the tasks I set out for myself. I put 150% into everything I do, and it’s my goal to come to every opportunity fully present. I am so very committed to my role as Director of Music Production for a large and successful ad agency. I absolutely love leading my amazing team and working closely with artists, songwriters, producers and creative people daily. However, it’s a demanding role, and sometimes I have to push my Theresa artist to-dos because of important productions with crazy timelines. And that’s okay. I try my best to create enough space to get everything done and even find some time to be kind to myself. I know that all my hard work and determination will pay off.
OSR: Your music seems to blend various genres and influences. How would you describe your unique sound, and what artists have most shaped your musical identity?
Theresa: I define my sound as timeless pop. I am so grateful to have so many amazing artists whom I admire and who have definitely helped shape my ever-changing sound. Besides my girls Madonna, Mariah and Gaga, Debbie Harry and Blondie have played a huge part in inspiring me. Duran Duran is my favourite band of all time. I love Depeche Mode and Queen. Billy Joel is another songwriter whom I’ve looked up to forever. Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees still amaze me. Janet Jackson…OMG, I was just listening to the Control album and it’s still incredible. And let’s not forget about Cher, who is still such a chameleon when it comes to genres and her sound. I don’t want to be pigeonholeed into any one style, I just want to create what seems the most natural to me at that time.
OSR: Many artists find their voice over time. How would you say your sound has evolved since you first started in music, and where do you see it going next?
Theresa: Just like me as a woman, my sound is constantly evolving. I am honestly so open to seeing where my sound goes next, but at the core of all my music are catchy melodies and honest lyrics, and that’s one thing that will never change.
OSR: As an artist, how do you manage the pressure of staying relevant and innovative in such a competitive industry?
Theresa: I can’t think about it. Seriously, I have no time to compare myself to the competition. Obviously, I am aware of what is going on and who is making great music, but I must stay focused on my craft versus worrying about what other artists and songwriters are doing. That just causes me to get in my head, and then the spiral begins.
OSR: Can you talk about any specific challenges or breakthroughs you’ve experienced throughout your music career, and how they’ve shaped your perspective on success?
Theresa: I don’t know if I would call it a breakthrough, but when things get super tough and I start questioning “why am I doing all this?” – I have to remind myself to keep going. I must put one foot in front of the other and continue moving forward. I am someone who needs to feel all her feels (which is pretty amazing for me as a songwriter!) and needs to express herself freely. But I can’t mentally stay in one place very long, otherwise I get caught up in negativity, so that’s when I invest in more love for myself. It’s just so important to be my own cheerleader and trust and believe that I am on my unique journey for a reason.
OSR: With 2025 shaping up to be an exciting year for you, what are some of your goals for the future, musically and personally, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Theresa: I have SO many goals I want to accomplish this year. I want to write and produce as many songs as I possibly can – and I have two LA songwriting trips planned. I also have my sights on playing a show in LA this fall, and in the process of firming up a couple of NYC area shows too. I want to continue becoming the absolute STRONGEST, CREATIVE AND MOST SUCCESSFUL version of myself. I am putting in so much hard work, and I know that all my dreams are about to come true.
Many thanks to Theresa for speaking with us. Find out more about Theresa on her official website, Instagram and Spotify.
