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about
Animal Cities presents original compositions, including the leading single from the album, the eminently catchy, Teresa Teresinha, which sounds like a retro Brazilian samba folk song. Sun drenched, beachy and laid back, the listener is transported to a beach in Rio, sipping a chilled Caipirinha. It’s gloriously nostalgic and seductive. Witney’s sweet voice lays right back off the vocal with relaxed authenticity and the earworm chorus is sure to hook you.
Teresa Teresinha, was originally penned walking the pilgrimage of Camino de Santiago, through northern Spain in 2016. A chance encounter with a musical and enthusiastic Italian girl, sparked an immediate friendship, and not long after walking together, they started jamming. Teresa sang ‘la la ya la la ya la la ya la la ya’, to which Jesse immediately recorded lyrics into his ipod, and later that day, on the cheap guitar he had bought in Toulouse, he wrote the harmony and remaining melodies for the song. He also twisted the arm of Teresa to write a verse in Spanish, and by the end of the day, the song had been written.
Musically, the song is in the style of Samba, however there are other non-traditional Latin elements, like congas and percussive guitar rhythm, which lend themselves to other genres such as Rumba and Son. Instrumentally, the song has Nylon string guitar, Clarinet, Bandolim (Brazilian Mandolin), Lead and Backing vocals in Portuguese and Spanish, and a range of percussion, including Pandeiro, Cowbell, Congas, Repique, Surdo and Tamborim. The lead vocals were recorded in the same take as the Bandolim, and were sung into an Sm57 as a guide track. It was virtually impossible to capture the same energy and magic as that take, so it was chosen as the final vocal.
“Recording in Brazil was a huge bucket list moment for me. It was an empowering experience; something that I’d wanted to do for a long time. I’m grateful for my supporters and backers, and also for my Brazilian producer, Marcelo Müller, who made the whole thing seamless, and most importantly, sound amazing”, says Witney.
lyrics
Teresa, Teresinha
Lyrics written by Jesse Witney & Teresa Bertoni
Um dia eu acordei cedo
Pensando em minha vida
Senti que eu preciso
De um tempo
Que me guia
Souor pingando mesmo
Entre meus olhos pretos
Essa cidade é uma loucura
E eu não sou o filho dela
(One day I work up early,
thinking about my life,
I felt I needed some time
To guide me,
Sweat dripping between
My black eyes,
This city is a crazy thing,
And I’m not her son)
Teresa Teresinha
Vamos á floresta
Fazendo o caminho
Aprender contigo
(Teresa little Teresa
let’s go to the forest
make a walk
I learn with you)
Lalayalalaya
La vida tiene que ser linda
El cielo es bajo y el sol arriba
No me perguntas que yo ago
Todavia estoy feliz
En el camino por Santiago
Vas sentir se relajado
Porque la vida es un regalo
Y bien major quando disfrutar-lo
(Life has got to be beautiful
The sky is low and
The sun above
Don’t ask me what I do
I’m still happy,
On the walk to Santiago
You will feel yourself relaxed
Because life is a present
And much better when
You appreciate it)
Teresa Teresinha
Vamos á floresta
Fazendo o caminho
Vou aprender contigo
Jesse Witney is an independent artist who weaves Soul, Brazilian and Roots styles into uniquely Australian music. His thirst
for exploration and love of world music have seen him journey abroad to share his music in the UK, Brazil, Germany and Hawaii.
Splendour in the Grass, Woodford, Island Vibe and The National folk festival are just some of festivals that Jesse has performed at in Australia....more
