After the Genesis album that marked her first significant steps in the music industry, Tessa Dixson is establishing her musical identity with the release of her new single "Creep". By grabbing the tools of electronic music, the 24 year-old belgian-american artist explores the possibilities of alternative music in order to build her own musical and visual environment. In between a world of reality and fantasy, Tessa Dixson asserts her own independence, both as a creative and as a woman. Love and sensibility, depth and vulnerability; these are some of the feelings on which the young woman is opening up about today - and the ones we discussed together.

Can you tell me more about your new single? Why is it different from your previous projects?
I wrote this song two years ago in London with the French band Planet 1999. I had a really great vibe with them and, when I came out of the studio, it just felt right. I never had this feeling before. My previous projects were more a reflection of who I was surrounded by. Even if Genesis was a big step, it did not completely represent me. “Creep” reflects me as taking my own direction. The video clip also embodies this new identity. I worked with completely new people for this project, and I am so grateful to them for understanding my vision.

What is the song about?
It is about a heartbreak, and about having a hard time to trust somebody new. “Creep” is a bestial way to get into a person, but in a beautiful way by trying to get closer to their emotions. It expresses the attempt and the difficulty of figuring out how a person is beyond first impressions. This desire to access this person’s essence also mirrors my own wish to deeply access my own self.

How do you qualify the genre of this new universe?
I like to define my music as a dark futuristic fairy garden vibe. Futuristic because of the sounds and the visuals that are used, fairy because of the tension between fantasy and reality that is brought. Even if I love doing pop, I wanted to explore different ways of composing by using programming and electronic. In time, I would like to find a way to make both pop and alternative music.

It must be a challenge for you to release this song today, isn’t it?
It is! Especially because I lost the people I used to work with. I see this project as a new and fresh start, which is exciting but also very stressful. Sharing this song is like sharing a part of me, of my vulnerability.

What does it say about you and your evolution as an artist?
I think you are reborn every time you create something new. This one says out loud that I am becoming more independent in my choices. It takes time in the music industry to understand what you want, and to be heard for that.

I guess the music industry can be hard to stand in, especially for a woman...
It is hard indeed, but it is also beautiful. There are more and more women and queer artists rising up today. But there are not many women around, like women musicians, managers, producers, etc. It is shifting, but very slowly. I feel very lucky because I think I am working now with the only woman tour manager in Belgium.

Do you think it would be different if more women would be at these positions?
Definitely. I am pretty sure that, as women, we have a deep connection between us, and in general. I faced a lot of men who judge you regarding your experience and taking control a lot. Of course, there are great men too in the music industry! But I feel more confident with women around me because it is a collaboration, not a “you are working over me” relationship.

There is music, and there is performing. I heard you were pretty present on stage, how do you consider that part?
Performing is where music comes alive, and so do I. Being on stage when I was younger appeared as the place I wanted and needed to be. The feeling you get when you are there is so powerful, made up of nerves, adrenaline and excitement. More than singing in front of a public, it is about creating a real show that includes scenography, set design, lights, clothes, in order to transport people into a timeless universe.

What is the goal of all of this for you?
To live. And to make people live. To escape, and give an escape to people so we can keep dreaming.

TD_26 BIS.jpg — .

“Reaching a self-confidence is probably a lifetime work. So, I guess the dream is to be able one day to trust myself completely. That will be my personal achievement.”

And what is your dream?
The truth is, when you are a sensitive person as I am, you need a strong shield, because you give yourself to people all the time. You need to be sure about who you are and what you are doing. Reaching this self-confidence is probably a lifetime work. So, I guess the dream is to be able one day to trust myself completely. Even if doubting and criticizing are important, I would like to sometimes tell myself that I am good enough. That will be my personal achievement.

It must be a challenge for you to release this song today, isn’t it?
It is! Especially because I lost the people I used to work with. I see this project as a new and fresh start, which is exciting but also very stressful. Sharing this song is like sharing a part of me, of my vulnerability.

What does it say about you and your evolution as an artist?
I think you are reborn every time you create something new. This one says out loud that I am becoming more independent in my choices. It takes time in the music industry to understand what you want, and to be heard for that.

I guess the music industry can be hard to stand in, especially for a woman...
It is hard indeed, but it is also beautiful. There are more and more women and queer artists rising up today. But there are not many women around, like women musicians, managers, producers, etc. It is shifting, but very slowly. I feel very lucky because I think I am working now with the only woman tour manager in Belgium.

Do you think it would be different if more women would be at these positions?
Definitely. I am pretty sure that, as women, we have a deep connection between us, and in general. I faced a lot of men who judge you regarding your experience and taking control a lot. Of course, there are great men too in the music industry! But I feel more confident with women around me because it is a collaboration, not a “you are working over me” relationship.

There is music, and there is performing. I heard you were pretty present on stage, how do you consider that part?
Performing is where music comes alive, and so do I. Being on stage when I was younger appeared as the place I wanted and needed to be. The feeling you get when you are there is so powerful, made up of nerves, adrenaline and excitement. More than singing in front of a public, it is about creating a real show that includes scenography, set design, lights, clothes, in order to transport people into a timeless universe.

What is the goal of all of this for you?
To live. And to make people live. To escape, and give an escape to people so we can keep dreaming.

…

Interview & photography by Hanna Pallot

Tessa is wearing Marine Serre & Raf Simons