Theresa Rex
Danish pop sensation Theresa Rex is back with a brand new anthem, "Scream".
Co-written with Icelandic wordsmith Hákon Guðony and Finnish producer Camu Creutz, this explosive new single dives headfirst into the overwhelming feelings of anxiety.
"I've had really bad anxiety, the kind that had me calling ambulances thinking I was having a heart attack. For a while, I thought I was making it better by drinking my worries away, but it would always end up with me being too much, staying out too long, hurting my own feelings," she explains.
"Scream" is the perfect single for anyone going through anxiety and mental health struggles.
Stream it now on all major streaming platforms and let Theresa's powerful voice be your soundtrack to healing.
Photo credit: Cathrine Lassen
Hi Theresa, how are you? What have you been up to?
Hi, I am good, summer busy, doing some festival gigs, and I have a big one coming up that takes some preparation.
"Scream" is your new single - what's the story/inspiration behind this single?
It's a song about using your energy on the wrong things, trying to fix your mental health by partying and overwhelming yourself to the point that you just want to scream. I am someone who struggles with anxiety, in a big way, and I find that it is kind of manageable if I give myself the space I need and make the right decisions. I know that now but when I was younger, I would make all the wrong ones.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this single? Who helped you create it?
It was written on a Camp in Iceland, a camp where I was feeling very overwhelmed socially and like I wasn't being myself. And I had a flashback to being my younger self who had no way to cope or self regulate.
But then I was put in a room with Camu Creutz, producer from Finland, and the Icelandic writer Hákon Guðny, and they were both so nice and lovely and I immediately felt at ease.
We agreed that we'd write something for me, and when they asked what was going on in my life and if anything was on my mind, I just said 'Yes I wanna Scream' !
It's so important that you feel safe with people when writing songs like this. And they are both incredibly kind, talented and ones to watch.
What made you want to release "Scream" as a single? How's it like to get to release this brand new song?
It's a song that feels very true to me, and releasing it feels like I'm offering up a piece of myself, for everyone to see and judge. That is always nervewrecking, but so worth it if it resonates with anyone.
On top of that I'm releasing it independently, which makes it harder to push, so I'm so grateful to people like you who help spread the word and help people find music like mine.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
I had a photo day with fellow artist Cathrine Lassen, we took these stunning pictures of her under the open sky in a national park. When it was my turn I put a plastic bag over my head and then slightly panicked because I couldn't breathe. Most of the pictures were just me visibly struggling but I guess I wanted the picture to feel like a panic attack and that's how it felt taking them too. So that felt very silly, but on theme for the song.
How does this song make you feel?
I wanted the feeling of the song to convey both the anxious feelings, and the angry and the hopeful ones of being young and not fully knowing who you are in the world, and I think we did that. But it makes me feel good, and I’ts so cathartic playing it live!
Having people sing along on the ‘break it down to build it up’ part makes me feel like we're all in this mess together.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
Best part: Writing songs I love to write and sing is all I want to do!
Worst part: Always having to make a good impression, even on days that I am not the best version of myself. I travel alot, and get to meet alot of important people but showing up to sessions jet lagged, having to be professional, and nice and funny isn't always the easiest.
How do you stay sane in this crazy music industry?
Haven't quite figured that out yet, so still not fully sane to be honest.
I try to be good at taking time off, especially after long periods of traveling, not just as a luxury but because I’ll burn out, and get sick, physically too. But is ‘time off’ really ‘time off’ when youre independent? I still edit content and write emails on my phone from my sickbed, it almost feels like a bed habit.
How does social media impact your mental health?
It has a big impact! I feel like I am just staring at one commercial or influencer campaign after another. Comparing myself to people who aren't even real most of the time. And I don't really love participating in it, but it is undoubtedly a tool to get your music out there, because what else do you do when social media is the only media that most people see.
What can we expect to hear/see next?
I wont say too much I’m working on some ballads that might turn into something.
That might seem like a side step for me, but is really not, I come from Jazz and I loooove a good ballad.
I’ll get back to the bangers for sure, but these are something really special!
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