A Talk with Singer Songwriter Terra Renae
Singer Songwriter Terra Renae was born and raised in Louisville where she still resides today. The death of her father would bring her first life wound when she was just seven years of age. From then on, her and her mom forged a strong bond. Terra’s Filipino mother was fiercely dedicated to her and supported her love of music from childhood well into her adult years. Terra confides, “My mom has been my biggest cheerleader.” She went on to explain, “She taught me resilience, independence, and belief in myself even when the path wasn’t clear. Those lessons are woven into who I am as an artist today and they give me the courage to keep putting positive, unifying music into the world.”
Singer Songwriter Terra Renae
In 2022 Terra met the well known performer Macy Gray. Impressed by Terra’s voice, Macy offered to mentor her and ultimately executive produce All I Have, her debut album. In addition to gaining 300,000 streams, it landed Terra on Live Nation’s Ones to Watch and Music Connection’s Hot 100 Unsigned Artists lists. Terra was invited to join Gray’s 25th-anniversary European tour in 2024, and then Macy’s U.S. tour. While on tour, Terra went on to release Manifest It and Ignite Me, gaining her even more popularity.
European Tour
Q: I understand that you have returned from a European tour with Macy, did you have a favorite city or cities?
A: Every city had its own magic, but a few really stood out. Performing at the Folie Bergère in Paris was surreal, it’s such an iconic theatre, and you can feel the history in the walls. Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie was breathtaking, both visually and acoustically. And in Bielsko-Biała, Poland, Cavatina Hall was unforgettable, the audience’s warmth and the beauty of the hall made it one of the highlights of the tour.
Q: Was there any time to see attractions? If so, let me know what your experience was like?
A: Tour schedules don’t leave a lot of free time, but I always try to make the most of it. In Paris, I had a chance to walk along the Seine at night, which felt cinematic and grounding. In Hamburg, I loved exploring near the harbor and seeing the Elbphilharmonie from the outside before performing in it, it was almost surreal to step inside later and actually sing on that stage. And in Poland, just walking through Old Town and seeing the mix of architecture and history gave me such a sense of connection.
Favorite Country
Q: What country or city was your favorite and why?
A: Eastern Europe really surprised me in the most wonderful way. Latvia and Lithuania, in particular, were unforgettable. The people were incredibly warm and welcoming, it felt like they embraced us as family from the moment we checked into the hotel, all the way down to the hospitality at the local pub where they poured us a traditional Latvian herbal liqueur. The culture was rich, the architecture was stunning, and the history was deeply moving. What struck me most on this tour was how music is universal. No matter where we were, even in countries where I didn’t speak the language, music created an instant bond. It reminded me that we really are one world. And right now, more than ever, the world needs positive music to unify, to heal, and to remind us of our shared humanity.
Q: Did you notice fans from different countries reacting differently to your music?
A: Yes, and that was one of the most beautiful parts of the journey. In France, the crowd had a chic, reserved energy at first, but when they opened up, it was explosive. Then in Germany, fans were expressive and celebratory right away. In Poland, the emotional response was overwhelming, you could feel every lyric landing with them. And in Latvia and Lithuania, the warmth from the fans felt deeply personal, like we were part of the community. Those moments proved to me again that music cuts through differences and speaks directly to the heart and soul.
Fans from Around the World
Q: Did you have a favorite city based on your experience with the fans?
A: Bielsko-Biała really touched me, the fans at Cavatina Hall were so emotionally present. In Stockholm, I had the pleasure of speaking to many fans of all ages. Each place reminded me that music is a universal language, one that doesn’t divide but unites.
Q: What singer or musician initially inspired you to love music? And why?
A: As a true 90’s baby, Gwen Stefani was one of my earliest inspirations. She had this fearless energy that stood out from the very beginning, she was stylish, bold, and unapologetically herself. What really stuck with me was her ability to blend edge with vulnerability. Whether it was with No Doubt or in her solo career, she always made music that felt alive and full of personality. I think that’s why she resonated so strongly with me, she showed me that you can be powerful, authentic, and still deeply emotional all at the same time.
Co-Writing
Q: I see Praveen was a producer on the album All I Have. How do you and your husband differ in terms of music taste?
A: Praveen and I overlap a lot in what we enjoy, but we definitely come from different perspectives. He has a strong background in music engineering and really thrives when it comes to building the beats and instrumentation. I, on the other hand, lean more into the lyrical storytelling and vocal performance. That difference works in our favor, he’ll create a sonic world, and I’ll bring the emotional narrative to it. Together, we strike a balance that feels both innovative and true to who I am as an artist.
Q: Do you write music with your husband?
A: Yes, all the time. Our living room is basically a songwriting hub. He’ll often start building beats, and I’ll sit with my lyric notebook and see what feelings or stories it sparks. Sometimes I’ll bring him a nearly finished song lyrically, and he’ll shape the production around it. Writing with him is so natural because there’s complete trust,we can throw out wild ideas without fear. It’s deeply collaborative, and I love that music has become an extension of our partnership.
Writing with Macy Gray
Q: Tell me about co-writing with Macy Gray, and how did that come about?
A: Macy and I have co-written many songs together. Each session with her is like stepping into a masterclass, her experience and guidance have been invaluable to me. She has a genius mind, and it comes alive in the studio in ways that are both inspiring and unexpected. Macy has this ability to cut straight to the heart of a lyric or melody, pushing me to be bolder and more authentic. What I love most is that she always makes space for my voice while adding her brilliance to the process. Every song we’ve created together carries her fingerprints in some way, and I’m endlessly grateful for that collaboration.
Q: Do you go to concerts yourself, if so, who is your all-time favorite live performer?
Absolutely! I love going to concerts. There’s nothing like experiencing live music and feeling that energy firsthand. My all-time favorite performer is Elton John. I’ve seen him multiple times, and most recently I was able to catch his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
He’s an absolute icon, and what inspires me most is how timeless his music feels. Every show is emotional, joyful, and larger-than-life. Watching him perform reminds me of the power of music to bring generations together, and that’s exactly the kind of connection I aspire to create with my own audience. I would just love to meet him in person one day.
Find out more about Terra Renae on her website – https://www.terrarenae.com/
