Today we’d like to introduce you to Tornsey, the artist project of songwriter Tess Schoonhoven.
Hi Tess, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve studied music my entire life, though in different forms. I spent a long period in the classical piano world, the church music space, and the classic rock n’ roll attitude, and now I’m entering a new phase of artistry – one that feels more focused, authentic, and free.
When I first began releasing music as a solo artist, I was a completely different person than I am now. I was tied to a belief system I no longer identify with, and I was scared, disconnected, and just so new to the idea of being an ‘artist.’ I moved to Nashville in 2019 with the intent of being an accompanying pianist and gospel music songwriter. I’m an out queer woman making alternative pop/rock music under my artist project “Tornsey.” My entire story of spiritual deconstruction, coming into my queerness, musical growth, and identity shifts, is a long one, filled with lots of questioning and uncertainty, energy, openness, and beauty. Let’s say a lot can happen in three years. But this growth is something I am forever thankful for.
My debut single as “Tornsey” – “I Feel Fine” – was released June 17th and marked the start of this part of my story. Although discovering who I am has been grueling at times, the way it intertwines with who I am as a creator is equally rewarding. I look back on my story and see all these versions of myself, and I hold love and compassion for them, while I also plunge head first into the version of myself I’ve discovered today with this music I’m creating.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as an artist is the pressure to be what I might think everyone wants me to be. I have had a challenging time with this because I spent so much of my life in a hyper-religious environment that pressured me to be a specific type of person and hold strict beliefs. The subconscious effort to make everyone happy has lingered with me and is still hard to shake off sometimes. But I am; making the conscious decision to discover what is authentic to me and what flows out of me naturally has been so rewarding. I’m nowhere near perfectly healed, but I can say that I know myself, what I want to create, and what I want to say, so much more than I did even a year ago.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a songwriter with an emphasis on piano-forward, retro pop/rock styles, I believe a big part of what makes this project something I’m proud of is how it takes listeners by surprise. It doesn’t quite fit the mold of straight-ahead pop or classic rock. I’m inspired by icons like Queen, Elton John, and Fiona Apple, but I also take influence from artists like Mitski, Julien Baker, and Sara Bareilles. Because of my history in the musical theater, I have a timbre about my voice that brings direct attention to the melody and tone. Still, the songwriting style catches listeners’ ears with spinning piano lines or heavy bass riffs.
Bottom line: I love to play, and I love to perform. I want every aspect of music to be an experience and to evoke more creativity, understanding, empathy, deep emotion, and freedom. I don’t pass over anything lightly, and yet I take things only as seriously as the moment may need – because from experience, change is a given, and creativity will change along with you. My main goal is to stay radically honest and have the most fun possible with the chances I’m given.
What makes you happy?
Walking with my dog. A good Bahn Mi. Ice water. When MUNA releases new music – it’s a lot of the little things right now. I think because I spent so long thinking I could only find genuine happiness in either other people or the security of having my life “figured out,” I”m just relishing the joy that comes from connecting with myself, and doing things that help me, keep doing that. So the day to day stuff, and the big picture stuff – it all means “happiness” to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tornsey.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstornsey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisistornsey
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/itstornsey
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnD2NwioyDDXFp-w42ABE3g
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itstornsey
Image Credits
Red & gold background photos – Christina Coleman (https://www.instagram.com/colemancoolers/) Live music photos – Dawson Freeman (https://www.instagram.com/dawsonlf/)
