Between the music festival circuit and collaborations with other popular Jamaican artists, singer Tessanne Chin has been a buzzworthy artist for some time now. But she truly entered the public consciousness when she appeared on, and won, the fifth season of NBC’s The Voice. Las Vegas Magazine’s Jorge Labrador spoke with Chin about her new album and the upcoming Voice 2014 Tour stop at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on July 25.
What’s been keeping you busy these days?
Oh my goodness, it’s been an amazing couple of months. Between recording the album and getting everything done, we’ve had these great opportunities. To go to the White House and sing for the president and the first lady and to be onstage with people like David Foster and Sting, and get to sing a song with Ne-Yo onstage. Just between that and going back and forth to different countries to perform and, like I said before, doing the album. It’s been a pretty hectic schedule but I’m very, very excited and very happy to finally be able to release the single and get the buzz going about the album.
Can you tell us a bit about this tour and the show in Vegas?
We’re going to be at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and I’m looking forward to it, and to seeing Jackie and Will again. And to get to know the other three contestants that will be going on the road again, as well as Dia (Frampton) and whoever else is going to be there. Looking forward to having a wonderful time and being able to connect with the fans that vote for us and support us and help us push our music, so it’ll be a fun time.
Speaking of fans, what’s it like to have this sudden explosion of popularity and adjusting to that kind of fame?
You know, it’s not something I think you ever adjust to. I get the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people on a daily basis, and you realize the magnitude and the impact the show had when you meet these people. Every single one of them has something to say about it. “I voted for you,” “I watched you” or “I rooted for you,” you know? And it just never, never gets old. ... Coming from a place where I was basically struggling with my career to a point where people actually know you and are rooting for you is a wonderful feeling.
What would you say to an artist in the same position where you were when you started?
I know it gets hard and sometimes it may be very discouraging and very de-motivating and frustrating to be in a position where you feel you’re working and working and not getting anywhere, but just keep on doing it. For me, it was as much about the love for what I was doing. Just loving every moment of it. Keep doing it. Keep getting better at what you’re doing and don’t give up.
