Raglan-based electronic-pop artist Soulti aka Teresa Michels, has today shared her emotive debut single ‘Evergreen’.
Listen to ‘Evergreen’ HERE
An expansive and deep ocean of sonic layers, ‘Evergreen’ is bright, hook-laden, immersive, and features both pop and dance elements. It’s a strong debut from an artist who’s not new to making and performing music - having studied commercial music, performed acoustic and electro sets at Raglan’s iconic Yot Club, and worked crowds on the boutique festival circuit. The artist says it was the Raglan arts scene that inspired her to step into the recording studio this year, and emerge as artist Soulti.
“The Raglan arts scene has truly inspired me over the years,” says Soulti. ”I've had the privilege of playing with some awesome musicians in all sorts of genres and events, but the wake-up moment for me was at the end of 2022, after the pandemic. I decided to quit my full-time job and go to India. The adventure, people, bold colours and flavours were exactly what I needed. I came back with a new zest for music and a desire to create my own sound. I started writing and producing, with ‘Evergreen’ being the first of what will be a full EP.”
Fulfilling her dream of recording and releasing her music, Soulti recorded her vocals with musician and producer Danny McCrum, before having the track mixed and mastered by engineer and producer Scott Seabright.
‘Evergreen’ was originally written while Soulti was studying music in a run-down villa in Kirikiriroa. “I locked myself away in the abandoned living room where ruby red velvet curtains hung from either side of the windows, framing the giant wooden table I sat at each day. I wrote for days on end in that musty room, surrounded by boxes of my collections. I dove deep in search of what became ‘Evergreen’, a track about staying true to yourself, no matter what life throws at you.”
Also being released today is a self-produced music video by Soulti - in collaboration with friends and emerging Raglan filmmakers Elisabeth Denis and Kelly Fritz, keen drone hobbyist Dave Napper, and Auckland-based editor Louise Lever. "Green is my favourite colour,” says Soulti, “I thrive when surrounded by nature, so shooting the music video in the luscious green landscapes across Whangaroa, Raglan, to depict the emotion and creativity in the ‘Evergreen' storyline felt like synchronicity. To show a deeper insight into my musical journey, there are flashes of a ‘red scene’, built by festival set designer Trace Berchelt, which was used to symbolise an adult version of a child's hut. This was included for two reasons. The first, to create a nostalgic feel for the Art Deco building I wrote the song in at the time, while studying for my bachelor in music. The second was to show the dream I've had to sing and write music since childhood. The hourglass symbolises that, while time passed, the desire to write music remained, and grew stronger.”
Through contrasting colour and movement, the video aims to showcase the push and pull felt while following a childhood dream into adulthood. The use of wide open spaces and zooming-out angles shows the expansion you can experience when self-belief is installed and personal growth is developed. “To connect the scenes together I took the crew on a road trip up to the dreamy (and sadly no longer) Peach Palace studio in Auckland to shoot the focal monologue scene. The vintage couch and green tule robe scene were used to weave together the various nature shots and tie together the ‘Evergreen' storyline.”
Watch the video HERE
‘Evergreen’ is the first taste of Soulti’s upcoming debut EP - a 5-track showcase that she says incorporates Eastern influence from her recent trip to India, as well as uplifting elements of pop, RnB and Liquid DnB, via sleek electronic production.
“I think ‘Evergreen’ gives off a vibe that is reflective of who I am. However, I know there is a lot more to come in the evolution of Soulti.” With that said, don’t miss a Soulti beat, follow now!
Listen to ‘Evergreen’ HERE
Watch the video HERE