Children at heart who love comedic, satirical, poetic, theatric, yet at times serious storytelling alongside truly magical music and visuals, should prepare themselves for the surprising world of Ronley Teper.
Born in South Africa and growing up in Toronto, she is an active composer, producer & multimedia artist. Teper invites a rotating roster of some of the finest musicians, animators and multimedia artists to collaborate and publicly improvise around her storytelling that cycle through many influences from folk, funk, jazz, cabaret, cinematic, post rock, pop sensibilities and deep love of improvisation. This process has developed a series of collaborations and an ever flowing body of work. She has been described as reminiscent of artists including Tom Waits, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Laurie Anderson, Kate Bush and Frank Zappa.
A musician, performance artist and avid collaborator, Teper has been an active member in the arts scene for almost two decades. Constantly genre and medium bending, she has recorded 5 independent LP’s; with the upcoming 6th “Everyone Loves A Good Story” the title track released as a single September 24th and the full LP of the same name October 8th 2021). She has composed, and performed works for puppet theatre in both Summerworks and Fringe Festivals in Toronto and Montreal; in COVID times created & directed So Whatcha Doin? A 32 episode all ages Youtube a comedique series hosted by Sock Face Teper that explores music education, art, friendship and philosophical questions, such as: What is your favourite snack? Hosted by a sock remote and showcasing the instruments of some of the finest musicians and artists in Canada that appear as guests. She has had musical placements in television, documentary films, and a few video games. She was a guest speaker at the first TEDx talks in Bangkok, Thailand. Teper has participated in a variety of collaborations, artist’s residencies and has toured regularly in Canada, Europe and abroad and is known for her energetic and exploratory live performances.
What is your creative process like?
Metaphorically, I see my creative process as an ever morphing garden: starting with seeds and healthy soil for planting, water moderately, fertilize with talented collaborators, keep in the appropriate light, let grow wild then prune when appropriate, and finally to smell the roses.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Wow, this is a tough question. There are so many and different types of collaborations I would love to do with both those still around and many now in the ether, this is just a snippet…
Ether: Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Miles Davis, Peggy Lee, Stravinsky
Currently On Earth: Bjork, Peaches, Peter Gabriel, Bon Iver, Radiohead, D’Angelo, Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Chilly Gonzales
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Chilly Gonzales
Are you finding the isolation of the pandemic conducive to your writing or is it hindering the experiences you can write about?
For a while I had no desire whatsoever to write lyrics or to actually touch my instruments, I didn’t realize it at the time but now believe I was mourning the loss of the parts of music creation I find most enjoyable which is t live performance, improvisation and in person collaboration. I had no desire to write about the pandemic, isolation, and depression. I found working in other mediums including video/animation and puppetry a much better mental place for me during this time. As things seem to be becoming more “normalized” in that we probably will be living in some state of Pandemic forever but are slowly immersing back into being with people whilst having had some time and opportunities to stay quiet and listen and learn from others life lived experiences, learn, reflect and feel new influences, the writing process seems to be coming back to me and finding a new balance.
With the pandemic, how have you found a way to get your music and your message out there?
With the support of places like Divine :), a kind and thoughtful publicist Mavis at Nice Marmot, support from old & new listeners, and interestingly to me at least from other places outside of solely music, particularly, animation, film, culture, fantasy, and contemporary art audiences.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
Thank you for somehow finding me, feeling some connection to this music and being open to the unexpected.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
I would be conceptualizing, creating, directing and producing animations, films and music videos full time and for more artists and projects. I love doing this.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Hmm, what is useless to one is very special to another.
If you were captain of a ship, what would you call it?
Bubbles
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
“They” said to keep it simple. I didn’t listen.
If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be and your superhero name?
To be able to become invisible at any time and place.
Ms Where’d She Go?
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
An Anthropomorphic Donkey
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