Today we’d like to introduce you to Tey Punsalan.
Tey, please share your story with us.
Tey Music was started in Los Angeles, California back in the 90’s. One of my acting directors asked me to be in a musical. I had never done one before, but I was a well-trained actress, and so I acted my way through the songs. Before I knew it, I was in a recording studio with a re-make, which was immediately played on the radio.
The first full album was released in 2004 which was immediately followed by another and another. Rene Van Verseveld of Future Sound Studios in Hollywood, California was the main producer, engineer, and co-writer of Tey Music.
To this day, I still work with Rene. We just finished the 11th album, which is currently being printed. It is entitled “I Am That I Am”.
Please tell us about Tey Music.
“Tey is truly a musical citizen of the world. Tapping into the passions of grooving R&B fans across the globe, Tey’s infectious soul/pop vibe has been a mainstay in DJ record pools and a hit on internet and terrestrial radio stations across the U.S. (from New Jersey, Illinois, Washington, and Pennsylvania to Texas and California) and Europe since the release of her sexy dance-oriented debut Take Me High in 2004.
Working with hit pop producer Rene Van Verseveld (whose credits include the smash hit ‘Pump Up The Jam’ and numerous projects by Enrique Iglesias and the likes), Tey has kept her integrity as an indie artist strong while building career momentum with a her follow-up releases, including a mostly Tagalog language CD (with the hit English single ‘Mouthful of Love’) and her 2006 disc ‘That’s How I Feel Tonight’ (which included a critically acclaimed cover of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’).
The title track from Tey’s latest 4-song EP ‘Tell Me’ hit the Top 10 on stations like Reading, PA’s WXAC, rising among hits by superstars like Alicia Keys, J. Holiday and Lil Wayne. The EP also features a dreamy, seductive hip-hop take on ‘I Will Always Love You’. A big draw wherever she performs, Tey has sung and danced for audiences throughout her adopted home state of California, including popular Southern California venues like B.B. Kings, The Derby, The Joint, The Pomona Fairplex, Knott’s Berry Farm’s C.M. Schulz Theater, and Hollywood Park Casino.
In 2007, the multi-faceted singer, dancer, model and actress whom United Global Artists calls “an entertainment enigma that defies description” left her home base and was a smash hit entertaining U.S. troops (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines) in six countries, including three military bases in a heavily war-torn Afghanistan (where she did combat landings and wore a bulletproof vest), the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kyrgyzstan and Djibouti, Africa. Winning over crowds wherever she and her band and crew of dancers performed, she earned numerous raves from the U.S. Armed Services, who said, “Tey combines a voice as rich as dark chocolate with a look that could melt even Chicago’s notorious ice. From Aretha to Sade, her vocal stylings range from brassy R&B to seductively cool.”
Tey says, “Everyone has different opinions on the wars going on, but my tour was all about realizing that the men and women fighting over there are real people who have feelings, needs and truly need connection with people. It was refreshing for them to see us perform in civilian clothing, and we were able to bring some joy and fun to them while reminding them of home. Though she grew up with great musical ambitions driven by her love for everyone from Aretha and Barbra Streisand to Sade, Natalie Merchant, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston, Tey began her career as a model, winning Miss Asia Midwest and quickly segued into acting.
Launching her film career with “Broken Rose”, Tey has also been in the films Shoe Shine Boys, Snuffing Cinderella and X’s & O’s; she loves both comedic roles and those who allow her to play dark characters. She also hit the road with “Aspects”, a two-person show that promoted diversity. While her talent and ambitions in many art forms clearly know no bounds, she’s also a promotional whiz and entrepreneur who has marketed her brand with products like hats, guitar picks, posters, and T-shirts and such—Tey’s truest heart lies in bringing the world joy through her unique music. She’s truly lived up to Music Connection’s billing of her as “one of the top hot artists of the year” when the publication heard her early albums.
“Working with Rene in the studio has helped me become very comfortable in the studio and has brought out my softer vocal instincts,” she says. “I think all of my artistic endeavors have amounted to a very unique career and life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share feelings in myself that are so universal. We’ve all been hurt and experienced the same pain, just in different ways, and likewise, have known tremendous moments of happiness along the way. Some have described my music as spiritual, and I definitely like lifting people up through my songs. It’s always a great feeling knowing that something I’ve written and sung can bring out the best in people.
Tey is a gifted songwriter and vocalist who sets herself apart with a raw sexuality and palpable soulful influence..” – MUSIC CONNECTION MAGAZINE who names Tey “One of the TOP HOT Artists of the Year!!!”
Currently, you can join Tey for yoga at 6:00 am and 7:45 am Tuesday and Thursday mornings at Niyamai Yoga studio for a Meditative Flow class (A traditional system that naturally aims for union with Self (body, mind, spirit) by creating a healthy body and mind that leads to spiritual involvement. This classical practice boosts the immune system, reduces stress, and promotes an overall feeling of well-being). A devoted yoga practitioner for many years, Tey appreciates the opportunity to share the benefits of yoga with her students. Including her chanting CD’s entitled “Divine Mother Chants”, “Rama Bolo”, and the one in the printers “I Am That I Am”.
Has it been a smooth road?
I know I am where I am supposed to be. I have followed my path. In that way, it has been Smooth. I let my destiny unfold. But life isn’t easy. And only when we accept that, will it be easier.
In a way, things were handed to me. But I also had to work my butt off. And Still am —working extremely hard. It is work, but at the same time, it is also play, because I am passionate about my work.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Tey Music story. Tell us more about the business.
Tey Music not only provides Music. Music is the language of the Soul. I Write. I Play. I Create. I Love. I live in Truth. And that inspires others.
What Tey Music is most proud of and sets it apart are the Family and friends who trust and believe in me — my endeavors and talents. I formally studied and worked hard on my craft, plus marketing my products. But I also knew that technique and hard work was not enough. I also have to be Fearless. I have to continuously pour out my heart and soul. I have to always reinvent myself. Tey Music goes with the flow of the world, the universe
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Not that it isn’t already, everything will be online. Physical CD’s and such are phasing out. Every music, every recording, whether professionally recorded or not, whether with permission or not will be on the internet.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.teymusic.com
- Email: tey@teymusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teymusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teymusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/teymusic?lang=en
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/jyotey
Image Credit:
Michael Helms
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