I am a Child actor turned Raver turned Jazz singer turned temporary
Queen of House music turned professional songwriter. I am about
to unleash an album that is not dance is not rock and is not
pop or r&b. I am in between.
Terra Deva is my real name. I work as a singer, songwriter,
producer, actor, and counselor. I was born in June 1976 to a
Teacher and a Principal in the Bay Area, California.
I am not a Gemini however you never know who is going to come
out on stage or to dinner.
I trained as a dancer from age three and incorporated gymnastics,
voice, and violin lessons by age eight. By eleven I began singing
seriously and became a pageant queen obsessed with the arts and
staying on the honor roll.
My unusual pubescent workaholic ethic landed me my first real
job starring in the TV show the "Mickey Mouse Club" for
two seasons. I sang, acted, danced and interviewed celebrities
five days a week.
At 16 I freaked out as most child TV actors do and insisted
on leaving MMC in search of something a little less Disney and
hopefully find a childhood. So naturally I started going to raves
and clubs around 1993. After meeting several British Djs and
producers in the scene I started traveling back and forth to
the UK to write and do small shows. I also did jazz shows, funk
shows, TV and radio commercials and industrial films back in
San Francisco.
I was immersed in Prince, Al Green, Bob Marley, Joni Mitchell,
Cocteau Twins, PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, Bjork, Seal, Joyce,Lenny
Kravitz and Nick Drake. I was also into the Brand New Heavies
and Deee Lite and all of the underground vinyl I was hearing
on the dance floor. I wanted to create music as life changing
as the artists that were changing me.
(Outkast, 2manydjs, Missy Elliot and Timbaland, Foo Fighters,
Green Velvet, LCD Soundsystem, Dwele, Ojos de Brujo, John Mayer,
Mu, Peven Everett impress me now.)
My most successful singles are "At Night" with Shakedown – went
to #6 in the UK and top 10 all over Europe, "Sting Me Red
(Clever)" with Who Da Funk, #32 UK "How You Thrill
Me" with Junior Jack and Erick Morillo - #27 UK and “Less
Talk More Action” with Tim Deluxe. These songs have taken
me all over the world from Sydney to Serbia allowing me to grind
on top of turntables ruining needles with my heels and several
pairs of fishnet stockings. I like turning bass bins into stadium
size stages. And yes, Top of the Pops was fun.
I made my first solo album called Pulled
Apart on Om Records.
It was made in '96-'97 and released in 1998. It was inspired
by DJ mix tapes and attempted to sound like Portishead recording
R&B after meeting Nancy Wilson and all of them clubbing in
Nottingham with Bjork and Grooverider's love child. The press
liked it despite the fact that it was all weepy telling tales
of getting dumped and finding the joys of self-help programs.
The singles that are considered classics to the house heads
are "Soothe" and "Want Me Like Water" as
Furry Phreaks with Charles Webster (Presence and Love From San
Francisco) "Fresh Start" and "Inside" from
Pulled Apart (Om album) also attracted global attention, were
licensed for a few ads, and made joining BMI worthwhile.
I’ve worked with Shakedown, Erick Morillo, Tim Deluxe,
Charles Webster (Furry Phreaks, Love From San Francisco, Presence),
Who Da Funk, Pete Moss, Satoshi Tomeii, J Majik, Jimmy Van M
(Vantage Point), Junior Jack, Harry Choo Choo Romero, AK 1200,
Scott Hardkiss, Electric Skychurch, Marc Mitchell, Richard Schiessl,
and Andy Chatterley, Young American Primitive, Dave Biegel (Bugs,
Puracane, Skyjuice), Josh Michaels (DJ Iz).
Right now I’m working on my second album and writing for
various artists. How does the new music sound? Well you can sing
along, dance the boogie, laugh or cry if you want to- take your
clothes off, sweat a little, and keep those shrink appointments
damn it!
I like to shake it - and you can too.
I need balance, strength, and flexibility. My passion for love
and respect for life are what are important to me. I will continue
to travel, do more live shows, and act in films. I will help
organizations raise awareness for important causes and enjoy
life's adventures while learning some new tricks. I will create
unforgettable images and sound, dance, and celebrate with good
people for many years to come.
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