We had a chat with emerging alternative artist Tefnut following the release of her expansive debut single ‘I’m High’
Having had a storied life that has included being part of bands including GirlParts and ASK SIMBA and creating and performing music in a wide range of guises, Patrice “Tefnut” (Pronounced: “Tef-Noot”) Walker has released the debut single of her latest project in the form of ‘I’m High’, a track that the artist says was given to her through supernatural communication with her Egyptian ancestors in her bloodline, something she has experienced her whole life.
The track itself is packed full of creative ideas and thoughtful moments, combining a hard-edged alternative rock soundscape and more conventionally pop-focussed vocals, it brings the two genres together in a way that feels rewarding and fresh, catchy and easy to latch onto while possessing a real bite and dynamism. We love the way that the artist has channelled all of her experience, spirituality, and range of influences and styles into this sound, and had a chat with her to find out a bit more about it and what we should expect to hear from Tefnut going forward.
Who TF is Tefnut?
I’ve always been someone who makes it very clear everything I want to do— and I’ve done them. From a young age, my parents saw a lot of things in me musically— and not only that, spiritually.
I first started seeing spirits (ghosts) when I was two years old. My parents talk about it all the time— how they always had to pull me out from under the bed— I’d be screaming and crying because I was seeing things that I was too young to explain. My parents say I used to yell “Rabbit! Rabbit!” That was the only way that I could describe what I was seeing. I was only two years old.
I have always had a strong sense of “knowing”. It always blew my mother‘s mind when I would dream something, then I would tell her about the dream— and then something in that same day would happen— which occurred in the dream I had just told her about.
Those types of moments have become a regular thing for me— even when it comes to the way, I write and create music.
I enjoy sharing my music and all my supernatural experiences with the world.
Musical and psychic. It’s who I am, and who I’ve always been.
In a nutshell, Tefnut (pronounced “Tef-noot”) is just a girl who loves music.
How long have you been making music?
When I was in elementary school, my dad who is also a singer and songwriter, would play piano and have my sisters and I sing on holidays in church. I’ve always admired my dad musically and really wanted to follow in his footsteps.
I got my first manager around 12/ 13 years old, so I definitely was serious about performing. My parents knew this. Ever since I was young I knew music was my thing. I even dropped out of dancing school, which my mom had my sisters and I involved in for years. I just wanted to play music and explore different instruments and see what I could do with my voice. I ultimately discovered my pure passion for singing and writing music.
Why do you make music?
Music has always been a part of my life, I mean, my family was completely surrounded by music. I have always found that writing and expressing myself through creating— from the heart— has always been a tool that enabled healing for me.
Whenever I write and record music, I know I have something unique and solid that I’ve created from inside— that will brightly reflect on and to the outside.
What are your biggest influences?
I’m an 80s kid so I grew up listening to a lot of rock and pop music— a little bit of hip-hop too. Rock music has always been my world with bands like The Cure— I absolutely love The Cure, Hole, Guns N’ Roses, Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode and Bauhaus… Siouxsie and the Banshees and other Goth bands… Kurt Cobain and Nirvana…
Singers like Tiffany, Janet and Michael Jackson, Shanice— they definitely were inspirations for me vocally and performance wise.
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
I definitely would have to say releasing my song, “I’m High”. There’s such an incredible story behind that piece. Writing “I’m High“ was the first time I heard an entire song in my head— out of nowhere… I heard the lyrics, the music, and a melody.
I always say that song is a Royal gem that was handed to me from my Egyptian ancestors because they made it so easy for me to hear something that I was supposed to create— something that I was meant to create— and share with the world.
When I recently was guided to release it, I threw away any and all insecurities that I ever had about the recording of that song— I actually wanted to redo it years ago, but I never did. My ancestors said not to redo it and release it as it is. They helped me to see that the music I create from my heart and from my higher self— is meant to be recorded and released as pure and authentic as it comes out in the studio— accurately reflecting just the way I hear it in my head.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
I have to say that Tefnut’s music is quite different from my band, Ask Simba. The sound of Tefnut’s music can be described as grunge— with melodic vocals floating between and above it.
For instance, the song “I’m High” has a 90’s /2000’s grunge… garage feel which gives listeners a sense of nostalgia. I’ve heard that quite often about my music. I believe that’s a unique gift that some people have— the ability to create music derived from the heart and create the ability to almost magically bring a person back to moments that they’ve felt during their childhood.
In some of my music you’ll also hear the sound of Egyptian culture which of course is inspired by my ancestors. Tefnut’s music is definitely different from the alternative punk rock that people are used to hearing from my band.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
It’s funny because ever since I was a kid my dream “I’ve made it” moment has been the day I’d finally move to California. Living in California has always been my dream. When I was a kid, I cut up an encyclopedia and glued a bunch of information— geographical statistics and data — all about California on a big poster board. I created a big presentation for my parents— to try to convince them to allow our family to move to California.
I told them that California is where I was going to become a star. I knew this— and my parents knew this. They enjoyed the presentation so much, they clapped and everything— but they said I had to wait until I was an adult to move. But hey, sure enough, when I became an adult I did it. In 2019, I made the move to California— just as I always dreamed I would, ever since I was little.
We love your debut single ‘I’m High’, what more can you tell us about it?
The song ‘I’m High’ turned out to be a prediction.
It’s about being in music, seeing the people who love and appreciate your music, but still feeling alone.
It’s about the way I feel about someone, and longing for more… and what it’s like to know there is something there— but the ball is in the other person‘s court.
“I’m High” is not a song that was written in a typical way. There’s no other way for me to explain it. That was the very first song I ever wrote that was already complete— before I started writing it down on the paper.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
Writing and recording music is what’s going on now. The last 5 1/2 years have given me a lot to write about, and I’m expressing it.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Ra (God), my ancestors, my family and loved ones.
