INTERVIEW: Terra Renae shares new acoustic EP

Originally hailing from Kentucky with a story defined by determination, transformation and artistic conviction, Terra Renae has rapidly become one of the most exciting new voices in modern pop. Before her rise as a recording artist, she’d already lived several lives as a model, scholar and ultimately, musician. Holding a doctoral degree and a deep well of life experience, Terra brings a vast emotional fabric to her sound, resulting in music that feels both profoundly personal and widely relatable.

Losing her father on Christmas Day at just seven years old, she was raised by her Filipino mother, who encouraged her to chase her creative dreams. Those early years in choirs and school plays revealed a natural talent, but a vocal strain during a pivotal Los Angeles audition left her shaken and temporarily silenced. Turning her focus toward academics and modelling, she stepped away from her musical ambitions, but not for long.

It was in Los Angeles that she crossed paths with Grammy Award winner Macy Gray, a meeting that would change everything. Recognising her potential, Macy Gray took Terra under her wing as executive producer, helping her refine her sound and connect with a network of top-tier producers and musicians. That chance encounter soon grew into a creative partnership that set Terra Renae on the path toward becoming the artist she was always meant to be.

In June last year, she unveiled her original sonic vision with the release of her debut single “Party In The Sunshine,” which she followed up with a string of well-received tracks throughout the year that quickly caught the attention of outlets like Voxwave Magazine, Naluda Magazine, Female Magazine, and Live Nation’s Ones To Watch. By the end of the year, her growing acclaim earned her a spot in Music Connection Magazine’s Hot 100 Artists of 2024.

Earlier this year, Terra Renae released her debut album All I Have, a reflective journey through love, loss and self-discovery. The record distilled her story into an intimate yet cinematic experience, balancing emotional honesty with infectious pop production. Now, she’s revisiting that world from a new perspective with her latest EP titled All I Have (Acoustic Sessions), a stripped-back reimagining that brings her songwriting into sharper focus.

Across the acoustic EP’s three tracks, Terra Renae trades energy for intimacy, letting her voice and lyrics shine brightly in the delicate renditions of these fan favourite songs. It’s a reminder of the emotional context that underpins her music, an artist equally at home lighting up a stage or holding listeners in quiet reflection. The release follows her first US and European tours supporting Macy Gray, a milestone that reflects just how far she’s come since her early beginnings.

From the blissful melodic writing and elegant vocals on “Lights Down Low” to the emotive rendition of “Over and Over” to the acoustic version of the instantly catchy “Party In The Sunshine,” All I Have (Acoustic Sessions) offers a stunning reimagining of some of Terra Renae’s most compelling tracks. Each piece feels like a conversation between the artist she once was and the one she’s becoming. Honest, expressive and truly human, Terra Renae continues to prove that her story is only just beginning and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter has in store.

We caught up with Terra Renae to find out more about her musical journey so far, her new EP All I Have (Acoustic Sessions) and what she’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Terra Renae below.

Hey Terra, what’s your earliest memory of making music?

Honestly, it probably started when I was a little kid, singing into a plastic karaoke mic with my Betty Spaghetty dolls lined up as my loyal fanbase. I didn’t fully understand songwriting yet, but I would hum little melodies and pretend they were secret songs only I knew. Even then, it felt like my own quiet form of storytelling, before I even had all the words for it. It wasn’t until about 10 years old when I started writing poems and bits of songs in my diary. Writing became a fun way to fill my time when I wasn’t studying lyrics of my favorite songs!

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

This is a tough one because with every chapter of life there’s a different influx of artists that grab my attention. My initial love for music is deeply seeded in the 90s. I always loved the rawness and uniqueness behind voices like Alanis Morrissette and No Doubt. I admire the vulnerability behind Adele’s vocals and lyrics. Billie Eilish is a huge inspiration of mine for the way she finds unique ways to convey her storylines, I just love the way she writes (and sings of course)!

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Real life is my biggest songwriter.

Late night thoughts, long drives, heartbreak, healing, and those weird conversations you have with yourself when no one’s around, that’s usually where the best lyrics start for me.

When I first started working with Macy Gray, she had me write down ideas for months on end so I’d have real moments to pull from in the studio, and that practice stuck with me. I tend to write when something won’t leave me alone emotionally, that’s when it demands to become a song.

What’s been your highlight of 2025?

Touring Europe with Macy Gray was unreal. Performing in places like Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and Cavatina Hall in Poland, it made me realize how powerful music is even when people don’t share the same first language. And now releasing All I Have (Acoustic Sessions) after such an emotional tour feels like a reflection of everything I’ve learned about connection, vulnerability, and performing with truth.

What do you love about the Kentucky music scene?

Kentucky has this rooted soul to it, it feels honest, hardworking, and human. Coming back to Louisville after sessions in LA always grounds me and reminds me who I am. Even though my sound leans pop/soul, there’s a bluegrass heartbeat and a vibrant indie scene here that’s all about storytelling and community. People show up for each other, the huge turnout at our recent Louisville show during the U.S. tour was a perfect example of that.

My partner, Praveen, is also from Kentucky and grew up in its indie scene, playing in bands and touring for years. That energy naturally seeps into our music, the instrumentation, the textures, the grit. It’s all connected, soul, storytelling, indie spirit, and heart.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

Headphones on during a late night walk when everything feels a little too quiet. Or lying on your bed staring at the ceiling, trying to process life. It’s those in between moments where emotions sit closer to the surface.

But hey, you might also catch something from me on the dance floor, too!

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I write with more emotional clarity and less fear. I feel more like myself than ever, and my voice, musically and personally, I feel stronger.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Again, another tough one. But, I would go back to where my love for music started and say Gwen Stefani.

How did you find making your new EP ‘All I Have (Acoustic Sessions)’?

After touring, I took some time to reflect on our next move. And truly this EP blossomed out of curiosity and wondering what certain songs would sound like stripped back. So I revisited the songs from album 1 and chose the ones that seemed to organically lend themselves to something more raw and vulnerable. It was a lot of fun revisiting the stories that started this journey and stripping away the layers of production. This allowed us to refocus on the emotion behind the songs and made them feel alive again.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

That “stripped back” doesn’t mean empty, it actually means nothing to hide behind. When you take away the production, all that’s left is the story and the emotion carrying it.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Lola Young has been hitting me right in the soul lately. I’ve also been loving Wet Leg for their chaotic honesty, and I always go back to Ed Sheeran when I’m in a storytelling mood.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

I just hope they feel inspired. I hope they feel like they can do anything and be anything. I want my audience to always leave a listening session or a concert feeling stronger and empowered.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Honestly, performing in my hometown was unreal. People in the crowd were literally chanting my name, and I was so nervous I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. But once I stepped into it and let the moment carry me, it ended up being my favorite performance, hands down. There’s something different about singing to the people who watched you grow, it hits deeper.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Let’s take over Glastonbury! I just saw that my Filipina sister, Olivia Rodrigo, played there, which is so cool. My headliners would be Elton John, I saw him on his Yellow Brick Road tour and it was pure emotion. Gwen Stefani, for that nostalgic lose yourself under the sky moment and Billie Eilish, to make everyone leave believing in themselves a little more than when they arrived. I’ve experienced all of these artists live at different points in my life, and each one has moved me in a different way.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Start before you feel ready, you’ll never feel fully ready anyway. Be patient with your voice, both the literal one and the artistic one. Don’t chase trends, chase your own truths. And surround yourself with people who believe in the current and future version of you.

Finally, what do you have lined up next?

More music, more music, and more music, some softer, some edgier, all more self assured. I’m working toward a full LP for early 2026 and building a live show experience that feels like stepping into my emotional world. Let’s just see where this all ends

Listen to All I Have (Acoustic Sessions) below