Tey Music: Press

Tey Punsalan : The Artist as a Filipina
We have to admit that we got a little carried away when we did the photo shoot for this story - making our lives more difficult when we had to choose from the pile of 150 pictures - which photos to run.

Originally from Chicago, Tey moved to Los Angeles to make a mark as a performer and she surely has!

Most passionate for life itself, Tey surely is making most out of it. " I think life is heaven on earth if we just let it and see it," she stated. " I see the ocean and the trees and the flowers and the sky and what more can you ask for at that moment in time," she continued. "We have choices and we have an abundance of things around us and that's why we are here, to enjoy life. Life makes my art possible."

One of favorite songwriters

1. Describe your publicity and promotion mix, how are you reaching people,
how are you letting them know about your music and message?

TEY: Any way and any where possible. Here’s just some examples: Live shows anywhere from 1 mile to 10000 miles from home. I can go on and on. The internet and your website is a must! Guest spots on tv shows, get into newspapers and magazines. Do interviews such as this. Do everything and anything to get your music out there! Get creative too!


2. What has been extremely successful for you in getting your CD out there,
conversely what has been lukewarm and what has not worked for you?

TEY: Live shows and live promotion has been most effective as well as fans, family, and friends plus their friends and family and so on and on pushing your cd’s. Every avenue needs to be tapped. And even though you don’t see instant results from a promo, don’t give up. Be patient.

3. Are you able to support yourself with your music? What made that
possible if so.

TEY: Definitely! What makes this possible is the sales of cd’s and performing live all the time.

1. Has your decision to remain independent, at least thus far, been more a product of not receiving the major label deal that you'd like or is it your preference?
TEY: I haven’t tried for a major record label deal. My plan is to sell at least 50,000 independently so I can have better negotiating power with the major labels. It’s so much more work to release an album independently but also much more rewarding when you get the results you worked so hard for.

2. What promotion gimmicks has just been a waste of time and money for you?
TEY: I find that any promotion is good promo, I have not spent money on promoting. I’ve been blessed with friends, family, fans who truly believe in me and support me fully.

3. Have your live shows worked out?
TEY: Naturally, there’s nothing like doing live shows. I love doing live shows and I think it shows and that is why people remember you and you get known by more and more people who see you perform.
4. Management, do you need it? Who is it?
TEY: Definitely, it’s nearly impossible to do everything yourself. I’ve been fortunate to be working with a wonderful management team who have the same goals and who work so so hard to get there.

5. How do you show you appreciate the fans on your website?
TEY: Pictures pictures, pictures, and have a way to communicate with them. Keep everything up to date

6. Would you like to give a shout-out (anything to say) to your fans? Is there a "best of" fan experience?
TEY: It’s all about the fans. We cannot do what we do without our fans. That’s one of the reasons we do it so that others can appreciate and enjoy and experience and change because of your music

7. Is there a supportive music scene in your city right now? How did your relationship with everyone get started?
TEY: Just that all musicians and the like help each other any way they can. You are never in competition with anyone because no one is ever alike. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated. Give everyone what you would like for yourself and you can never go wrong.

8. Has anyone been especially helpful in helping you out so far? How did you meet?
TEY: Many experts from written publications, promotional groups, and composers and musicians

9. When did music begin to become important to you? Did this come from your parents or did you find this music on your own?
TEY: Music has always been important to me because it’s a universal language, it’s the language of the soul. It’s about sharing and connecting with one another.
10. Were you trained in music from childhood or were you self-taught?
TEY: I trained with several mentors but the rest depends on you. The rest depends on hard work, perseverance, and heart, and soul.

11. When you think about subjects for your songs, do you have a list of ideas in your head?
TEY: Always. Everything can be a subject for songs, from how you wake up in the morning to how a person has changed your life.

12. Many singers work hard to find their "sound." Did you struggle to find yours?
TEY: It doesn’t take over night to find your own voice. I think we continually change as people and as artists therefore our ‘sound’ change with us. We can never remain constant cause then you’re not living.
13. Do you actually think about how you want to present yourself? Do you try to be "cool", think about "style & impression" on stage presence?
TEY: Of course you have to think about how you present yourself, you have to find yourself, who you are and who and what you would like to project. You have to find your edgy self. I have to be myself always, but you have to go all the way with it, you can’t be wishy washy, find yourself and be yourself every second you’re on stage or even off stage and you can never go wrong

14. What mistakes have you seen in your experience or in observing other artists in their music career?
TEY: Not being true to themselves, not being comfortable in their own skin. Afraid to take risks, on stage and off stage

15. What mistakes have you made that was an eye-opener for you?
TEY: Not taking each note seriously, every note counts. Not taking each word seriously, every word counts.

16. What should be on every artist's reading list? dvd list?
TEY: An artist must know the business as well as their art so read, read, read! Poetry, meaning in life, positive energy reading. And watch, watch, watch! Other shows and concerts of other artists. There's always something to learn.

17. How do you use the Internet for self-promotion and distribution?
TEY: Selling cd’s on line, promoting your website, interviews such as this

18. Some people might complain about the aches & pains of the indie musician life but let's stress the positive? What do you love about being an indie?
TEY: No one telling you what to do and how to do things, you are your own boss. I love the relationships you find. Finding people who are on the same wavelength in both music as art and money.

19. How do you balance your music career and a social life?
TEY: What social life??!? Just kidding. You have to enjoy ever minute of everyday whether you are with your band members or with close friends and family. The musicians I’ve worked with have become wonderful friends and a lot of times I don’t consider that work. I enjoy music so much and I know they do as well. We are very supportive of one another whether it be music wise or social wise

20. In everything you've done with your music career... what aspects were "pure luck"? what aspects were sweat & passion?
TEY: It’s all sweat and passion, and tears hardly anything comes easy and the ones that look like they came easy where also from hard hard work and passion and tears

21. Who’s your favorite person to work with in the music industry?
TEY: I love great musicians and great producers who are open to anything and anyone

22. Can you share with us your studio experience?
TEY: Working in the studio is a blessing, that’s where it all starts, all the creativity and heart. It’s like painting a picture, you can paint anything you want in an empty canvas. Improvisations are very important because that’s where all the real and intense stuff come our from your heart and soul

23. If someone could wave a magic want of knowledge, what would you like to know about the music industry or change about your music career?
TEY: I would love everyone to have my music and really understand it and to have them go to places they’ve never been before

24. What advice would you give other fresh musicians wanting to get into this business?
TEY: Give it all you’ve got in sweat and heart and soul, and be yourself

Makes Mariah Carey sound like someone who made it on the basis of her talent. Makes Pseudo Echo sound like lyrical geniuses.

Take Me High is a timely reminder that you don't have to be an earnest lo-fi bedroom songwriter, a large group of unemployed Canadians or a cutting edge laptop Mozart to be an independent artist; there are also folks like Tey Punsalan, who turn their marketable looks, vocal skills and modest financial resources toward hooking the same demographic that regularly buys Anita Baker, Cher and Mariah Carey CDs. That's right -- Tey Punsalan makes blunt, sugary, kinda-cloying pop songs.

Punsalan colors comfortably within the lines, delivering her product as consistently and conscientiously as a first-time franchisee. In this case, that means tackling facile lyrics like the title track's couplet "Take me high / make me fly", but acting like they're pure Shakespeare -- a task at which Punsalan excels.

Image is crucial here; Take Me High probably wouldn't even score a cursory listen if Punsalan were a dumpy fifty-three year-old hotel chambermaid, but because she's a hot, Tia Carrere-looking Filipino who often forgets to wear a brassiere for her photo shoots, male reviewers will be inclined to be more forgiving. There's a whole page of photos of Punsalan in various revealing outfits.

"I Can't Sleep" strives for happy hardcore/rave anthem status, and Punsalan's Donna Summer imitation fits the bill perfectly. For most listeners, it'll be too little, too late, but it goes a long way to establishing Punsalan's unique niche. At last, twenty-something gay ad execs and their seventy year-old casino-loving grandmothers have an artist they can both enjoy...

The show has a pool of volunteer talents and crew and has been a venue for various local and Philippine-based artists in plugging their upcoming shows and concerts here in Chicago. Among the celebrities who have appeared in the show are: Jocelyn Enriquez (Queen of Freestyle), Aiza Seguerra, Rica Peralejo, Judy Ann Santos, John Lapuz, APO Hiking Society, Bukas Palad Music Ministry, Jonard Yanzon of 17:28, Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Joey Albert, Rachel Alejandro, Geneva Cruz, Fe Delos Reyes, Bernardo Bernardo, Fr. Manoling Francisco, Leah Navarro, Imelda Papin, Claire dela Fuente, Eva Eugenio, Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuniga, Rey Valera, Marco Sison, Camille Velasco, IBU, Parokya ni Edgar, Rex Navarette, Willie Nepomuceno, Bamboo, Ai-Ai de las Alas, Lea Salonga, Louie Reyes, Patricia Javier, Three of A Kind, Nora Aunor, Hangad, Harlemm Lee, Patricio Ginelsa, Jr., Christian Bautista, Jordan Segundo, Lani Misalucha, Sarah Geronimo, Mark Bautista, Piolo Pascual, Regine Velasquez, Tirso Cruz III, Troy Montero, Gary Bareña, Tey Punsalan and Golda.

Hataw Pinoy Chicago!’s first episode was aired on November 30, 2003 and after a mere 2 years in existence, it has already gained a faithful following among members of the Filipino-American community as well as other ethnic groups in the area. Its viewership continues to grow as word of the show spreads through word of mouth and through the publication of publicity materials in the community newspapers.

Everyone involved in the production is dedicated to the cause of offering its audience a Filipino-American variety show that every Pinoy would be proud of. They have their eyes set on their goal and hope to bring the show to much wider audience in the future. Today Chicago, tomorrow the world!

Sinuportahan si David ng mga Fil-Am celebrities na aking mga inimbitahan katulad ng rockstar na si MiG Ayesa (kasama nito ang asawang si Simone na based na rin dito sa Los Angeles), ang dating American Idol contestant na si Jasmine Trias, ang "L.A. Miss Saigon" na si Jennifer Paz, ang aktor na si Dante Basco (may bago itong pelikulang ipalalabas sa Abril 7 at kasama nito sa lead role si Antonio Banderas, ang "Take The Lead"), ang aktor at choreographer na si Cris Judd (na nag-abot ng bulaklak sa bridal finale segment ng show), ang 2005 U.S. Miss World titlist na si Lisette Diaz, ang singer at aktres na si TEY PUNSALAN, at ang Oscar nominated na Pinay na si Pia Clemente. Hindi man nakarating si Cheryl Burke (ang dance champion ng "Dancing with the Stars") ay nagpasabi naman ito na gustong-gusto nitong makarating nguni't baka gahulin ito sa oras mula sa naunang kompromiso kaya't nagpauna na ito na baka hindi makarating.

Irresistibly combining raw, unbridled sensuality with a rich, soulful voice that her thousands of excited fans have compared favorably to everyone from Aretha Franklin to Sade, Philippine born, Chicago bred L.A. transplant Tey is truly a musical citizen of the world.

Tapping into the passions of grooving R&B fans across the globe, Tey’s infectious soul/pop vibe has been a mainstay in DJ record pools and a hit on internet and terrestrial radio stations across the U.S. (from New Jersey and Pennsylvania to Texas and California) and Europe since the release of her sexy dance-oriented debut Take Me High in 2004. Working with hit pop producer Rene Van Verseveld (whose credits include the smash hit “Pump Up The Jam” and numerous projects by Enrique Iglesias), Tey has kept her integrity as an indie artist strong while building career momentum with a her follow-up releases, including a mostly Tagalog language CD (with the hit English single “Mouthful of Love”) and her 2006 disc “That’s How I Feel Tonight” (which included a critically acclaimed cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”). The title track from Tey’s latest 4-song EP Tell Me hit the Top 10 on stations like Reading, PA’s WXAC, rising among hits by superstars like Alicia Keys, J. Holiday and L’il Wayne. The EP also features a dreamy, seductive hip-hop take on “I Will Always Love You.”

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" along with Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" (wh label), the Temptations' "White Christmas" (wh label), Charles Brown's "Merry Christmas Baby" (wh label), and Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'" (wh label)

also playing the following:

URBAN - TOP 20 (SATURDAY)
SADE' - soldier of love - sony
chris brown f/ lil wayne - I can transform ya - jive
drake - best I ever had - universal
jay sean f/ sean paul - do you remember - univ. republic
jaicko f/ vybz kartel - oh yeah ? - capitol
david guetta f/ akon - sexy bitch - emi
drake - forever - iga
r kelly - echo - jive
snoop dogg - I wanna rock - emi
I.y.a.z. - replay - wbr
birdman f/ drake & lil wayne - money to blow - universal
britney spears - "3" - jive
t pain - take your shirt off - jive
robin thicke - shakin' it 4 daddy - iga
drake f/ lil wayne - successful - universal
mary j blige - I am - iga
omarion f/ gucci mane - I get it in - emi
clap cognac f/ GC - like I said - universal
noe - watch how I move - byrd gang/dip set
d.a.p. - car went boom - realizme


REGGAE - TOP 20 (SATURDAY)
mr vegas - gallis - vp
ding dong - man a gallis - vp
kardinal offishall f/ el man - clear ? - kon live
laden - really like you - vp
morgab heritage - here to stay - vp
c lynch/j legend/b banton - cant be my lover ? - vp
courtney john - lucky man - fiwi music/vp
beenie man - gimmi gimmi - brookland ent.
talia coles f/ el man - nikki wine - couture /upstream
N kruma - go gettah - nvs/universal
mojo morgan - million $ check - gedion soldiers
tarrus riley - living the life of a gun - vp
sizzla - precious gift - vp
luckie d & m' lonie - no air - vp
mavado - hope and pray - vp
left side - time to party - vp
chuck fenda/s dread - bad boy - vp
busy signal - da style deh - vp
chuckle berry - good life - vp
peetah - only you - gedion soldiers

"Sex on the Beach" in rotation

He said: "Let all your fans know that they can email us to request your song":

radio@sa-urban.com

playing "Sexual Healing" & "Tell Me"

The number to call in is (347) 324-3507.

WXAC / MON-FRI 2-4 PM & SAT 4-6PM(R&B, RAP, HIP HOP, REGGAE, & REGGAETON)
WLVR / URBAN FRIDAY
along with alicia keys - no one - j records; j. holiday - bed - capitol; wyclef f/ akon, lil wayne & raekwon - sweetest girl (R) - columbia; three 6 mafia - like money - columbia; lil mama - g slide (tour bus) - jive; talib kweli - hot thing - wb; kelly rowland f/ snoop dogg - ghetto - columbia; t pain f/ teddy verseti - church - jive; chris brown f/ t pain - kiss kiss - jive; nas f/ ceelo - less than an hour - columbia; dude n nem f/ twista - watch my feet ® - tvt; crime mob - circles - wb; clyde carson - doin' that - capitol; mike jones - turning headz - wb; ja rule f/ ashley joi - body - universal; wiz khalifa - youngin on his grind - wb; cassidy f/ sw beatz - my drink n my 2 step - j records; plies f/ akon - hypnotized - slipnslide; bow wow f/ omarion - hood star - columbia; lyfe jennings - cops up - columbia

talking about our recent Middle East
Tour with the US Soldiers and introducing "That's How I Feel Tonight".

Quotes from the show:
"..it was heartbreaking..even the first week we were there.. i didn't know if i could go on..and there were kids who were burnt.."

"..when i was 5 or 6.. watching TV.. thinking i wanted to be on TV.."

"..that's what makes me a great artist.. I'm not afraid to feel.. and I'm not afraid to show it.."

"..is that I do undertand.. i do understand alot of the feelings that we have as far as love.. life.. can i say this.. sex.. as far as being sensual as a woman.."

"..a fun song to write.. it's a bit controversial.. on the lyrics.. mouthful of love.."

The number to call in (646) 915-9567

playing "What Can I Do" in Birmingham, United States

playing "What Can I Do" in Calgary, Canada

playing "Christmas Is Easy When Love's Around" Broome, Australia

WLVR / URBAN FRIDAY
along with alicia keys - no one - j records; j. holiday - bed - capitol; wyclef f/ akon, lil wayne & raekwon - sweetest girl (R) - columbia; three 6 mafia - like money - columbia; lil mama - g slide (tour bus) - jive; talib kweli - hot thing - wb; kelly rowland f/ snoop dogg - ghetto - columbia; t pain f/ teddy verseti - church - jive; chris brown f/ t pain - kiss kiss - jive; nas f/ ceelo - less than an hour - columbia; dude n nem f/ twista - watch my feet ® - tvt; crime mob - circles - wb; clyde carson - doin' that - capitol; mike jones - turning headz - wb; ja rule f/ ashley joi - body - universal; wiz khalifa - youngin on his grind - wb; cassidy f/ sw beatz - my drink n my 2 step - j records; plies f/ akon - hypnotized - slipnslide; bow wow f/ omarion - hood star - columbia; lyfe jennings - cops up - columbia

"What Can I Do" on Pandora
Enya Radio Station

Tey Punsalan - POP/ELECTRONIC – USA/CA.

www.live365.com

Alaska's #1 HIT Music Station!

Playing:
Tey Punsalan “I Can't Live Without You” from Take Me High CD ALBUM (2004)