Rising Korean R&B singer TE.O shares how a broken phone inspired his groovy new single 'Payphone'
TE.O's 'Payphone' is officially out now!
Welcome to Bunni Pop extras! From time to time, I will post updates here with new music and profiles of up-and-coming artists. This week, I’m very excited to introduce readers to rising Korean R&B singer TE.O!
(Photos courtesy of BIXIZ XOUND)
Singer TE.O is no stranger to trying out new sounds.
His 2018 debut single “Paradise” is a mid-tempo R&B song that plays with smooth keyboard sounds and groovy techno beats. While his 2022 single “Bomb”, is a flirty track that highlights his distinctive vocals and is perfect for the dance floor.
Wanting to reproduce another love song similar to “Bomb”, TE.O recently unveiled his new digital single “Payphone” on February 18. The track is about a lover who was rejected by his ex-girlfriend, and calls her to get her back over a payphone. But don’t mistake it for one of TE.O’s personal experiences! After all, he is quick to clarify “It’s not my story. Please don’t think like it haha.”
TE.O is an artist under the South Korean label BIXIZ XOUND. He initially debuted in the male vocal group 2MUCH, which then changed its name to 8LOOP in 2017. However, their group projects and activities did not last long.
TE.O officially made his solo debut in 2018, and has since garnered attention on Arirang TV and Radio as a frequent musical guest. Now he’s also capturing a new audience on social media, where he’s been covering songs in different languages from French, Spanish, English to Vietnamese.
I recently had a chance to ask TE.O some questions about what inspired his new track “Payphone”, the music video behind it, and his interest in covering songs in languages that are very different to his native Korean.
(Photo courtesy of BIXIZ XOUND)
Hello TE.O! Congratulations on the release of “Payphone.” For many people who have not heard your music before, how would you introduce yourself?
First, thank you for the congratulations. I'm TE.O, a Korean R&B singer-songwriter. I'm singing groovy and trendy music with rhythmical sounds.
What is the story behind your song Payphone? What inspired you to write it?
The story is about [a] man on a payphone who wants his ex-girlfriend [to] come back. Many people don't use payphone these days, so it's not easy to find it. Recently, I had to use a payphone because my phone broke down. I think my situation is quite interesting. So I thought it was a good idea for my music. This is the reason why I named this song title "Payphone."
The music video has you playing a jazz musician, and it has a very retro and vintage feel to it. What was it like to play this version of yourself?
Thank you for saying it was impressive. While preparing for '“Payphone", I tried to feel the atmosphere of music, lighting, and space. And I imagined whole things in my head. I searched a lot of references and tried many things that giving retro feelings with my video director. Finally, we were satisfied with the results.
What went into finding the perfect vintage outfit, and set?
I thought a standing microphone was a must for this music to look like a jazz musician. I prepared a retro outfit (Tuxedo), an antique filming location, and also a vintage analog phone even though it wasn't a payphone.
You do a lot of covers on your YouTube page from Post Malone to Françoise Hardy. What's behind your eclectic taste in music?
In fact, most of my fans are from overseas rather than from Korea. As I received more attention from foreign fans, I became more focused on them. So I started covering in various languages from various countries.
What has been the hardest language to perfect in your song covers?
In fact, all languages were difficult. But personally, I think Spanish was the most difficult.
What song would you like to cover next?
I don't have a cover plan yet. Maybe I think I'll cover a foreign song for the next cover song as well.
What concept would you like to try next?
I haven't decided on a specific concept yet. I think I need to think about new ideas or new styles while working on the next album. New attempts are always exciting.
Is there anyone you'd like to collaborate with?
There's no specific artist, but I want to collaborate with a Korean female rapper one day. I want to try a deep R&B hip-hop genre with her because the harmony of different voices can make the music richer. But I'm open-minded to all artists. Welcome!
TE.O’s new single ‘Payphone’ is out now! Follow TE.O on Instagram.
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