Are you ready for a night of great music? The ALEX AND ANI Summer Concert Series at Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard continues tonight with Mad Satta featuring Joanna Teters! We’re excited for a night of amazing music.
We recently chatted with Teters about her inspiration, what it’s like to have her song featured in the ALEX AND ANI spring 2015 commercial, and what she hopes people get from her music among other things. Get to know her in the interview below!
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What was the inspiration behind “No Words?”
There are a few specific things that inspired the song “No Words.” I am very inspired by Brazilian music – I find it sleek, evocative and beautifully poetic. We wanted to emulate those aspects when writing this song within the instrumentation (the use of upright bass, strings, acoustic guitar), a bossa nova feel and in the lyrics. The lyrics are inspired by love; love can make you feel weightless, make you feel like you have a true purpose in the world. To try to put the feeling of “love” into words can feel impossible sometimes.
How did you feel about “No Words” being featured in an ALEX AND ANI commercial?
I’m so excited that ALEX AND ANI chose this song to be featured in the spring campaign. I love what the company stands for, and for my music to be featured as an aural partner to their brand is truly an honor.
What does positive energy mean to you? How do those feelings manifest in your song writing?
Positive energy is what gives me motivation to pursue my dreams, keep a smile on my face, and gives me the power to be true to who I am as a woman and an artist. I strive to keep myself surrounded with positive energy on a daily basis and to do as much as I can to help create that energy. My songwriting is the medium that I choose to spread positive energy with to many people, but it wouldn’t feel true unless I lived my everyday life with that same intention.
The ALEX AND ANI spring 2015 commercial featuring “No Words” by Joanna Teters.
What do you see as the next step for the future?
The next step is to continue to bring my music to a larger audience. To travel the world, make records that are important to society, and keep soul music alive.
What would be your dream place to perform?
I am very excited to one day perform in Rio de Janeiro and also Jamaica. I think one of my dream places to perform would be where Bob Marley wrote his music and spent his time. I imagine there is a lot of incredible energy there and I would love to experience it.
How would you describe your music in three words?
Comfortable in the uncomfortable. That’s four words!
How would you say that live music evokes a different experience than recorded music?
Being a part of an audience and sharing a collective experience is a beautiful feeling. The energetic exchange between audience and performers can be so powerful sometimes that I’ve been brought to tears both on and offstage. Recorded music nowadays is often background music, but when you make time to see a concert, you are going to be experiencing it on so many levels (visual, aural, physical) that the experience just can’t be replaced.
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Joanna Teters with Mad Satta.
Describe the feeling you get when playing in front of a live audience.
So many feelings – gratitude, excitement, release, passion, purpose. My band and I work extremely hard to write music, formulate a set and execute it as best we can on stage, so when I’m on stage I take that opportunity to be all that I can be as a performer and give the audience everything that they came for. Every time I set foot onstage, I am reminded that I was born to be a performer. I began performing when I was 13 years old, I feel extremely grateful to have found my passion at such a young age.
How did the band Mad Satta get its name?
The word ‘satta’ is a Sanskrit word that means ‘to be in a pure state of existence’ but it can also mean ‘to relax.’ So you could say it’s an oxymoron. We like to play with the contrast of feelings within our music.
What message do you want your audience to come away with from your performances?
First and foremost, we want our audiences to come away with the feeling that they just saw a really fantastic show and that they feel better and happier. We love when our audience comes away with message or the reminder that not only is live music still alive and well, but it’s integral to sharing positive experiences, creating memories and expanding your mind. I believe that finding music to identify with is important to leading a happy life.
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We hope to see you tonight at Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard! Please note that parking is $10 per car and allows you to receive $10 off a bottle of estate wine.
Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard
162 West Main Road
Little Compton, RI 02837
(401) 635-8486