Jenny Teator from St. Louis to Nashville she is a real talent
Interview conducted on November 30, 2019
by Dan Locke
Jenny Teator is a St. Louis native whoâs made her move to Nashville sharing her soul through her guitar and vocals. Jenny is a nationally-touring & recording artist whoâs performed at notable venues and festivals such as: Old Rock House (St. Louis, MO), The Viper Room (Los Angeles, CA), Main-stage at the 2018 Venice Blues Fest (Venice, FL), The Bluebird Cafe (Nashville,TN), Exit-In (Nashville, TN), and many more. She released her debut single, “Surrender,” which has surpassed 100,000+ streams on Spotify. The single has received reviews world-wide – Aarik Danielson (Columbia Tribune) says “..think the Black Keys meets Demi Lovato – Teator keeps her versatile voice in a soulful middle register, delivering her lyrics with a surprising mix of blush, breathlessness, and bravado.â Inspired by singers Grace Potter and Susan Tedeschi, Teator has a very straight forward lyrical style and the music follows the feelings of those words verbatim.
Dan Locke: It is good to hear a good version of a Christmas classic. Run Run Rudolph sounds great. Where did you record it? Who was your backup band?
Jenny Teator: Thank you! We recorded it at a buddyâs house studio in Nashville. The band members were Meg Williams, Bill Ferri, Dan Monaco, and Kirby Newman.
You are a St. Louis native. How is the live music scene there?
I am not as familiar with it anymore, I left STL to go to college⌠so Iâm sure it’s grown but from what I do know it’s alive and kicking!
What bands did you listen to growing up?
Oh man, I went through phases⌠everything from Michelle Branch, Martina McBride, Underoath, The Used, Aerosmith, Amy Winehouse, and Dashboard Confessional. Haha, I was all over the place. Had my emo/hardcore years in high school, then fell into singer/songwriter and rock and blues.
Tell me about how you got your first guitar, who you got it from and do you still have it?
I went into my local guitar shop and picked up a cheap fender acoustic to learn how to play. I think it was like $200⌠I do not still have it.
What is your favorite guitar now and what is its name?
Currently, I have a Teton Guitar. Itâs a rosewood back and sides acoustic guitar and her name are Bonnie đ after Bonnie Raitt!
Do you still do House Concert?
Oh yes! All the time, weâve been touring all year doing it, I love it.
Who was the first performer you watched in concert play?
Grace Potter. My idol!!! I actually got to meet her that day, she was doing an in-store performance at Grimeyâs in Nashville, and I was front row for her solo acoustic performance. Then she did a meet and greet afterward and it was amazing. Sheâs a queen, and so so nice.
Since you are from St. Louis, I am going to name some bands from there. I would like you to say something about each if you can.
Sandra McCracken- Iâm not familiar with herâŚ
Chuck Berry- King of rock and roll baby!
Sheryl Crow- Incredible songwriter and artist. I was just listening to her the other day and forgot about how many HIT songs she had!! So good.
Billy Davis Jr.- Not familiar.
April Daye- Not familiar.
Steve Ewing- The Urge!! I totally used to listen to them, but not as familiar with them anymore.
Ike and Tina Turner- I know of them (obviously Tina) but never really listened to them!
Story of the Year- I was OBSESSED with this band in high school!! My best friend Lauren and I would jam out all the time to them, killer performers.
Josephine Baker- Not familiar
Why do they call St. Louis the Independent City?
Honestly I didnât know they called it that haha I thought it was known as the gateway to the westâŚ
At the beginning of the year, you released Surrender which is about lust and curiosity. And recently you released Daughter of the Devil. Is there a theme going here?
There’s definitely a theme in the sound of my music, and overall â independent and confidenceâ theme. Although, Daughter of the Devil was more of a lighthearted fun song with badass vibes, no real deep meaning to this one. I wanted it to be the song you just sing loudly in your car, with that groovy baseline and guitar riffs driving the song.
On Daughter of the Devil, why did you pick Sonya Rae Taylor to do the solo?
Cause sheâs a badass!! She slays, had to have her part of this and possibly more đ
Why You Gotta- Are you going to do any more music with Meg Williams and Sheridan Gates?
Yes! They are the two that I tour with on the side doing acoustic house concerts. I just recorded a 3 song acoustic EP with songs that I wrote and love but just donât necessarily fit the sound Iâm currently putting out as an artist. They are featured on the EP and we love playing together! That has been such a fun side thing we do together among our own individual artist careers that are going as well.
Are you scared of snakes?
Not as much anymore haha but I mean if I see one astray in a field Iâll absolutely run away. If its controlled, nonvenomous and known to be a safe snake as a pet- then yeah Iâd be more willing to hold another one.
You now have a line of clothing. How did that start?
Do you mean my merch?⌠I got with a graphic designer to make some t-shirt designs and put them up for sale!
Since the holidays are here, what is your favorite holiday meal you like to make and how do you make it?
I donât really have a favorite other than some standards⌠mashed potatoes and stuffing are life.
How do you see yourself in five years?
Flourishing. Touring. Integrated into the music scene in a new way.
Anything in closing?
Get ready for 2020 yaâll. đ See ya on the other side.
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