Skip the fancy stuff. There is plenty of shiny sparkly happy business in my performances. Let me just tell you what I've been up to over the years.
Terra Deva is my real name. I sing, act, write, produce, and dance. I was born in Northern California. Now I live part time in California, NYC, and London. I am a Child actor turned Raver turned Jazz singer turned temporary Queen of House music turned professional happy person. My new album is made of all the sounds I love – soul, dance, rock, pop and everything in between.
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. 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. (I am currently preoccupied with various disco, freestyle, and the Mary Jane girls. And let us not forget Timbaland and Carl Craig.)
My most successful singles so far 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.
My first solo album called Pulled Apart on Om Records (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, Charles Webster (Furry Phreaks, Love From San Francisco, Presence), LCD Soundsystem, Erick Morillo, Tim Deluxe, Who Da Funk, Satoshi Tomeii, J Majik, Pete Moss, Jimmy Van M (Vantage Point), Junior Jack, Harry Choo Choo Romero, AK 1200, Scott Hardkiss, Dave Biegel (Bugs, Puracane, Skyjuice), Josh Michaels (DJ Iz) and many more.
My latest single is "All Over The World" with Furry Phreaks out now on Defected Records. The song is a great big thank you to all the people who have supported the music Charles and I have created for over 10 years. And I appear on the LCD Soundsystem single 45:33(DFA) Rumor has it little D&B gems I did with JMajik are also floating around.
My latest musical adventure (co-produced and co-written with Evan V.) is getting some finishing touches while my acting career is back in full swing.
So basically I have the best job ever. The most important thing to me is feeling good. And I will continue to celebrate life with other people who are feeling good for many years to come.
Playlist DonPasquà 3 Mars 2008 Support your local record dealers before it is too LATE !
1/ Kikiorix Plastic House ( Phonique Remix ) Ladies And Gentlemen 02 2/ Jeff Samuel Fire PokerFlat 86 3/ Hot Lizard The Theme 2008 ( Charles Webster 2008 Mix ) NRK 136 4/ Gui Boratto & Martin Eyerer The Beach Audiomatique 27 5/ Khan Strip Down Tomlab 96 Lp 6/ Vincenzo The Shadow People Dessous 78 7/ Furry Phreaks with Terra Deva All Over The World ( Jazzanova Mix ) Miso 008 8/ Ante Perry Vs Tube & Berger Affentanz Moonbootique 29 9/ François K Masterpiece Ministry Of Sound 10/ Phase No Way HeadNodding 03
I met you in Hollywood at the Henry Fonda Theater a few years back... You opened up for Erick Morillo with Thrill Me... I just gotta say that was one of the illest openers i seen in a minute!
