Hailing from the vibrant cities of London and Nottingham, Re Teu is a remarkable multi-instrumentalist, who effortlessly fuses delicate and soul-stirring folk melodies with atmospheric, euphoric rock vibes, and creates a sonic tapestry that is simultaneously one-of-a-kind and warmly reminiscent from the very first note. We chat to him about his debut EP The Author, which is out later this month...
You started playing music at the age of fourteen when you took up the drums. Where were you living at the time, and what influenced this?
It was during my time at secondary school. It was a school in London and it was such a spontaneous moment. I was running to the lunch hall and noticed one of the little rooms with a skylight open and there was just this glowing drum kit. Skipped the lunch and bashed away for an hour and from there it was the beginning of this journey.
You listened to a lot of music on your parent’s record player and your brother’s CD player growing up. Which sounds influenced you the most?
My parents being born and raised in Sierra Leone and then coming over to the UK also brought many songs from the motherland. Whenever there was a family function the groove, funk and afrobeats were bumping. I also had a VHS of all of Michael Jackson's music videos which got absolutely RINSED until it broke. Then growing up into teenage years, listening to indie songs that my older brother would listen to sparked a little interest there too. Until one day I discovered rock and there was the final ingredient to all the sounds I loved, sprinkled with ambience.
You also grew up with a wide range of interests, including skateboarding, gaming and camping. How did these influence your sound?
Being in and around the skateboarding community growing up you're always exposed to a wide range of sounds from Rap to Rock and everything in between. So it definitely inspired me to listen to more genres. I also made a connection with certain genres and how they made me feel whilst doing an activity. Rock and metal when I'm skating or in the gym push me further, when I'm camping listening to folk and ambience helps me reflect so it's 100% linked.
You also work as an interior designer. How does the creativity that goes into that overlap with your musical creativity?
They flow between each other constantly. Both allow me to think in unique ways and trigger the same creativity be in doing an interior, a piece of furniture, making a song or performing live. You kind of turn into a problem solver. It also helps that I see music as very visual. Certain sounds and songs of mine I picture ot colours and smoke and with interiors I do the same in reverse but instead of music i link the materials and shapes to a feeling the person would be feeling. It's all interlinked.
If you could name some artists who have inspired you the most, who would they be and why?
Ben Howard was the first influence for me when I started making my own music, a random open mic. I didn't know what the song was but we all jammed to Old Pine and it was so beautiful. Paramore was who I played religiously on the drums whilst I was learning and that really inspired me there. There was a "feeling" from certain songs of theirs that I really loved but didn't know what it was... Until Bon Iver came about then I noticed what type of music I LOVE. These days I listen to a lot of Sleep Token, no words just ridiculous. So right now, it's Sleep Token and Bon Iver doing the heavy lifting and inspiring me the most.
How have the cities of London and Nottingham influenced your sound respectively? How do the two compare, and where do you spend most of your time nowadays?
Nottingham I always say was the birthplace of Re Teu. Although I am from London, my years in Nottingham whilst at Trent were so pivotal for me and my sound. Especially in making and writing these songs which I like to call stories instead. Nottingham took care of me for real and I don't forget that. I plan to do something really special there soon.
Talking specifically about Nottingham, you’ve played at a range of our festivals, including Splendour Festival, Dot to Dot Festival, Hockley Hustle, and Beat the Streets. How has being part of the Nottingham community and being able to perform at these festivals shaped you as an artist?
It has given me such a forgiving place to learn. Each show and moment just got better and better which was amazing, and I met so many talented people along the way that I still talk to and work with today.
The last show was in 2019 and the second time I played Splendour, it was a lovely sign out but I think now it's time to say Re Teu wants to come back home to the Notts Community and get involved again. We have been in hibernation for too long.
What should people expect ahead of your debut EP The Author? What themes run throughout it?
Theme of Conflict, Strife, Pain, Rage, Acceptance and Forgiveness all flow through this EP. It is life in the form of audio and so many cool moments happened along the way that just make these songs special. There is a little moment for everyone.
You leave a lot to the listener’s interpretation on the EP. How do you think this enhances the listening experience?
Because the songs and stories are not direct, it allows listeners to place themselves into the situation. The song now belongs to them once they listen and there is something beautiful about that. When we sing together live we are all singing our Joy or Pain together.
What’s coming up for you next, looking to the future?
I was away for a long time... And the boiling point was reached years ago. The urge to rage and play on stage was immense so we will look to do the best shows possible. I had just done the Old Blue Last in London which was nerve racking but it sold out and gave the final boost of confidence to make the following shows and music breath-taking. Ambience, Forever.
Reu Teu's debut EP The Author will be released on 20 October 2023.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
