Teitur Interview

What's up? Why don't you introduce yourself?
My name is Teitur. I'm 26, and I just recorded an album called "Poetry in Airplanes".

Is there a site where your fans can find out more about you?
Yes, it's www.teitur.com.

How long have you been performing?
I've been writing since I was a kid. I've also been performing, although, this is my first proper tour. I've been performing since I was about 14-15, I guess.

What's the first show you remember performing at?
That would've been when I was a lot younger. I had a band, and we would play rock songs, a rock band. We were too young to get into clubs, [laughs a little] but we played, and that's my first recollection.

How would you describe your music?
It is based on traditional song writing, folk music, and the old Timpanelli style of song writing, I would say.

People have compared you to John Mayer and Jason Mraz. How does that feel?
Well, I think you can compare it. We have acoustic guitars, and we sing, but in my world, the music is not really the same. People can make their own comparisons, and that's fine. That's the way it's supposed to be.

Are there any comparisons you wouldn't like?
No. I don't really mind. It doesn't really bother me. Being compared to another, being next to other people, doesn't really excite me at all. I respect a lot of artists, love a lot of different kinds of music. The most important thing for me is that people are listening and paying attention, I like that.

You're currently on tour with Hanson. How's that going?
Teitur: Well it's been going really well. The fans are really nice. I wouldn't think it was the most obvious musical match, though.
Stacy: Well, it's the Acoustic '03 Tour.
Teitur: Yeah, yeah. It's going well, though. It's been really good, and they're friends.

How have the Hanson fans reacted to you as a musician?
They're very drastic. They're singing along, and between songs they're cheering. It's really nice.

You said this was your first tour. Were you nervous to start it, or anxious?
I was very anxious, because I'd been looking forward to performing, and I finally have an album, so I could give the fans a full performance. You know, I'd be playing an occasional show somewhere, when I'd be somewhere, but I've never played every night for a month.

A lot of people don't know much about how artists live on the road. Is it a hard lifestyle?
Yes, it's hard work. It's a lot of hard work, but you get into the rhythm of it. Playing music is what I do. It's what I do best, and I just love to have the opportunity to work, and have the opportunity to perform.

What's your favorite song to perform live?
It changes all the time, I guess. At the moment, I like "Poetry In Airplanes", but it changes. When you get tired of one song, when you play the song again and again, then you rediscover another one.

Do you create set lists every night, like "I want to play this song", or is it the same set list every night?
You know, I usually make it up just before I go on. Sometimes, even in the middle of the set, I say "Yeah, I could do with this song right here", but I usually make it up right before I go on.

You said before that you write your own songs. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Well, it's very natural to me. I consider it a craft, you know? Just writing, I don't usually sit down and wait for things to come. I approach it and try to write a song about something. Some are good, some are bad.

Do you have any tips or warnings about the music industry for the artists who are looking to be in it (music industry)?
Yeah. My tip would be that they should play the music as they like it, and not play what they think other people will like. There is a lot of diversity, and not doing it to please other people. I think that's really where music comes from. It depends on why you're writing music and what your ambitions are.

Last, but not least, do you have a message for your fans?
I'd just like to thank them for listening, and that I'm just really pleased that they like it.

And, that's it! Thank you!
Thank you.

 

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