Tia Penny has premiered her new video for the single titled ‘Joyride’, out this Friday (May 5th). Tia Penny is a singer-songwriter and musician from Arizona whose immense talent has gained much traction from a very young age. She is currently 15 years old, but has much experience behind her already; from singing La Boheme to playing piano, and giving TED talks, she’s a musical force to be reckoned with.
The second I opened up the music video for “Joyride” I began nodding my head: Yes, yes, yes, this feels right! Tia Penny has a plaintive, pure voice, and clever lyricism- a talent akin to Julia Michaels or Ingrid Michaelson.
The crisp, saturated video style “Joyride” was directed in is also incredibly satisfying to watch. It depicts the singer walking into a picture-perfect bedroom with her dog…The sun is shining, and it becomes clear early on that this is going to be a good day.
As her dolce voice comes in, the words further reiterate the picture that the videographer has painted. Next, Tia drafts up a picture of a bike on her sketch pad and sings of getting her license and driving freely.
This song is the yin to the yang, an inverse of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License”. As the singer’s vocals soar over the acoustic guitar, we share her unfettered joy. The humble confidence and humble presence Tia Penny exudes is gentle and inspiring.
“But you’ll never see me riding in the backseat”….
“So love everything that comes your way
A lottery, or a big mistake”
The subtle hand percussion further propels the song, like a gentle breeze might push a kite.
“Life’s a journey they say, journey to a good place
I’ll fix problems I face
Maintain a steady pace”
The second time the chorus hits, her soft vocal harmonies become even more pleasant, like sunbeams on the first warm day in spring. Make sure you watch until the end, as the singer-songwriter’s puppy gets the final say before the tune fades out!
“This is a lighthearted song about enjoying everything life has to offer. It is a perfect introduction to my first EP as it shares my desire to inspire positivity. This song compares life to a joyride, and uses sayings such as “life’s a journey” and “journey to a good place” hoping anyone listening can see the big picture even in hard times. This song was written in 2020 when I was around 11/12 years old.”
– Tia Penny
Q&A
I heard a rumor that you feel ‘fearless’ during live performances. What staves away stage fright? Or was it never there, to begin with?
I’ve never had much of an issue with stage fright but having constant performances and constantly being on stage definitely does help with that fear. It’s not an issue for me because of my experience.
You’re a gifted multi-instrumentalist; What was the first instrument you were ever pulled towards?
I played the piano and wrote my first song on it when I was 6, then at 7 years old my parents bought me a ukelele, at 8 my parents bought me my first guitar and I’ve stuck with the guitar ever since.
You also speak Italian; what is your favorite song or piece to perform in the language? Do you feel that music means something different to you when you’re performing in Italian?
I went to a Spanish immersion school from preschool to fifth grade. I learned Italian for the Arizona Opera but I mostly know Spanish. I performed ‘Entre mis recuerdos’ by Luz Casal and Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley in Spanish. I like playing Hallelujah because it is a spin on a classic. It is definitely a different experience to play it in Spanish. I love explaining the meaning behind ‘Entre Mis Recuerdos’ because not everyone can understand what I am saying while singing it, and it usually pulls in some Spanish listeners.
Can you tell us more about the music video? Did you have a specific idea or plan in your head for “Joyride” or did you make it by going with the flow?
I made and drew a plan for the Joyride video and the director Sam Erdmann helped bring my vision together. I definitely wanted to have a bike and a plane in the music video to give off the idea of a ‘joyride’. We also wanted to use a red car in the music video but that didn’t end up working out. However, we did have an overall idea planned out for the video beforehand, and I really did draw the artwork in it!
If you could have lunch with any famous musician, past or present, who would it be with?
Taylor Swift because she’s written so many songs and has had a super successful career that started when she was young. I would ask her about her writing process and her best advice for starting a music career at a young age.
Do you plan on playing the lottery when you get a bit older?!
Maybe. I could possibly play it as a first celebration for my first single.
Lastly, but most importantly, what place did all the happiness come from in “Joyride”?
The airplane ride was such a blast thanks to Mike Doyle from the Wings of Flight Foundation! It was so fun to be on my first music video set too. The whole EP is based upon reflecting on certain aspects of my life, so Joyride reflects my happiness. My mindset was based on the idea that life is a joyride.
Featured image by Foskett Creative.
LINKS:
https://www.youtube.com/@tiapennysings7733
https://www.tiapenny.com
https://www.facebook.com/tiapennysings
https://www.instagram.com/tiapennysings/
https://www.tiktok.com/@tiapennysings