THERA

Rising dark-pop artist THERA is back with a powerful new rendition of her emotionally charged track, ‘little favour’. Originally featured on her debut album, ‘I Wish I Called’, this fresh take showcases her artistic evolution and the raw honesty that defines her music. As she finishes a sold-out European tour supporting Eurovision winner Loreen, THERA reflects on the song’s deeply personal meaning, the emotional journey behind her songwriting, and how she hopes her music resonates with listeners.

Hi THERA! Congratulations on the release of your brand new single, ‘little favour.’ Please could you share the meaning behind the song and what initially sparked the inspiration?

Thank you so much! I wrote the track 'little favour' about a personal experience of betrayal that unfolded over several months. It was a painful situation involving someone I had been close to for a long time, and when they betrayed me, I was left feeling confused and frustrated, wondering why it had happened. The line "ending with just a little favor" reflects how, after everything they put me through, this person eventually came back asking for help with a problem they had created for themselves. Completely ignoring everything they had put me through.

The song captures the emotions I felt, anger, hurt, and disappointment, while also struggling with the difficulty of letting go because I missed what we once had. It tells the full story, from the beginning to the end, including how this person tried to twist the narrative of what really happened.

This is a fresh take on the track that first appeared on your debut album, ‘I Wish I Called.’ How does this new rendition bring in a different energy and ignite greater passion?

I wanted to release this new version as a reflection of how much I’ve grown over the past few years. Since I originally wrote the song about three years ago, I’ve evolved as an artist, and my voice has matured. When we decided to record this new version, I made sure to involve my band in the process because we wanted to capture the energy that we now perform live while opening on tour for Loreen. It feels incredible to showcase my development while also giving fans a special version of the song as a lasting memory from this tour.

Could you explain how 'little favour' echoes the lyrical themes found in 'I Wish I Called'?

The overall meaning behind 'I Wish I Called' was unspoken feelings. Therefore, each track represents a situation I experienced with someone but never had the chance to express how they truly made me feel. The name comes from the idea that if I was to pick up the phone right now, and call the individual from each track, these would be the things I would say to them, but never got the chance to. 'little favour' follows this idea as well. It’s another story of unresolved emotions, capturing the things left unsaid in the aftermath of betrayal. Just like the rest of the album, it serves as a way of finally giving a voice to those feelings, even if the conversation never actually happens.

What significance does ‘little favour’ hold for you?

When I wrote 'little favour', I was carrying a lot of anger and frustration from the situation I was going through. Putting those emotions into the song felt like a release, almost like lifting a weight off my shoulders.What’s been really interesting is how, every time I perform it on tour, those emotions resurface. I find myself transported back to that moment, fully feeling it in my performance. That’s why songwriting is so important to me, because it allows me to process my emotions, and through performing, I get to reconnect with them in a raw and honest way.

What is the main message or emotion you hope listeners will take away from the track and album?

What I hope my listeners take away from this album is whatever they need in that moment. I wrote these tracks as a way to process my own emotions and navigate difficult situations, and I share them in the hope that they can do the same for others. While a lot of my music isn’t necessarily joyful, I want it to serve as an outlet for those who need it. A space where they can feel understood, comforted, or even just less alone. If my songs can provide that connection for someone, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

At just 18 years of age, you’ve developed an impressive discography, drawing from real-life experiences and infusing confessional songwriting with a dark-pop sound. Can you share the moment when you first fell in love with music?

I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember, and singing has always been a part of my life. Some of my earliest memories are DJ sessions in the car with my mum, and I would say that is where it all began. Our performances were really top-tier! One of the first songs I truly fell in love with was Break the Rules by Charli XCX. I remember feeling this incredible rush of energy, just having fun singing along with my mum. Music has always been in my life, not just through those moments but also because my entire family is very musical. Growing up surrounded by it made it feel like second nature, and now, I can’t imagine my life without it.

Releasing your debut album must have been such a personal milestone for you. Would you also consider this to be your proudest accomplishment in your career so far?

Releasing my debut album was definitely a huge personal milestone for me, and at the time, it was my proudest accomplishment. However, since then, so much has happened, and right now, I would say my biggest achievement is opening for Loreen on her EU/UK tour. The amount of work that went into creating my set, designing costumes, and preparing for the tour was an entirely new experience for me. It pushed me creatively and professionally in ways I hadn’t experienced before, and I’m really proud of how it all came together. Seeing everything come to life on stage has been an incredible feeling.

You’ve mentioned that you use music as a therapeutic outlet, inspiring your stage name, ‘THERA.' Do you hope that listeners can find the same comfort in your music as you do?

Absolutely, that's the main goal! When I released my first single, 'Stain', I was really nervous about how people would react because the song holds such a personal meaning for me. But a few weeks after its release, I started receiving messages from fans sharing how much the song had helped them. It was such a surreal and humbling experience, and I’m still so grateful for those moments.Knowing that my music can create a safe space for others means everything to me. It’s what inspires me to keep being vulnerable in my songwriting, in the hope that listeners can find the same comfort and release in my music as I do.

What makes songwriting a therapeutic outlet for you, and would you suggest creative expression to anyone who is navigating through their emotions?

For me, songwriting is therapeutic because it allows me to process and release emotions in a way that feels natural. Sometimes, it’s easier to express what I’m feeling through the beat and melodies rather than trying to find the right words. Music has a way of capturing emotions that words alone often can’t for me, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

That being said, I think the most important thing is finding what works for you. Everyone copes differently, and we all need an outlet, whether it’s music, art, sports, or any other passion that brings comfort and clarity. Creative expression can be incredibly powerful, but what matters most is discovering what helps you navigate your emotions in a way that feels right and comfortable.

Following an extensive co-writing period with Steve Diamond and Jeff Cohen, your debut album marked the moment you introduced your distinct voice to the world. How did this collaborative experience shape your artistic journey?

Working with Steve Diamond and Jeff Cohen was an eye-opening experience for me, especially because we wrote some amazing music in the week that I was in Nashville with them.

When I was writing my debut album, all the lyrics were my own, and I was still very young, trying to find my voice. Now, I feel much more certain about what I want to say and how I want to express it. Collaborating with such talented songwriters has only strengthened that confidence, and together, we’ve created projects that I can’t wait to share with the world.

You’re recognized for your strong work ethic, compassionate nature, and deep passion. As a young woman making her way through the music industry, do these qualities help you stand firm in your beliefs?

Absolutely. My image is incredibly important to me because the music I share is so personal, it’s a direct reflection of who I am. So, having a strong work ethic, staying compassionate, and holding onto my passion definitely help me stay firm in my beliefs. Knowing what I want and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s expected allows me to stay motivated and create the best music and content possible. I can be quite hard on myself at times, but I believe that in this industry, that drive is essential. It pushes me to stand out, grow, and continue evolving as an artist.

‘I Wish I Called’ achieved great success, with the breakthrough track ‘DLTTI’ receiving 3 million streams on Spotify and TikTok alone. Did you expect this remarkable response, and what advice do you have for aspiring artists?

I honestly didn’t expect it at all, it still doesn’t even feel real sometimes! Seeing those numbers is surreal because I wrote 'DLTTI' in my bedroom, never imagining it would resonate with so many people. It’s an incredible feeling to know that something so personal can reach and connect with such a wide audience. My advice for aspiring artists would be to just go for it. Follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not right for something. If you stay true to what makes you happy and put your passion into your work, you can achieve more than you ever imagined. It’s always better to try than to live with the regret of never knowing what could have happened.

Most importantly, your music resonates with profound honesty. Is this quality a natural outcome of your songwriting process, or do you intentionally strive to make it a key element?

My songwriting journey didn’t necessarily begin with the goal of becoming a singer. Of course, that was always a dream, but I started writing as a way to cope with the situations I was going through. It was a personal outlet before anything else. When I realized that my music didn’t just help me, but that the words I wrote also resonated with others, it felt like the perfect way to bring both worlds together. I truly believe that my songwriting is what makes my music unique, and while honesty has always been a natural part of my process, I now make a conscious effort to be as vulnerable as possible for my audience.

You have a clear vision for your sound and career. Could you share more on what this entails, and where you see yourself in five years?

Music is truly my passion, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. Right now, my next steps include touring in 2025 and working on my sophomore album, which I can’t wait to share with my fans. Of course, the ultimate dream is to headline my own tour and connect with as many people as possible through my music. While I hope to achieve that within the next five years, I’m also just incredibly grateful for where I am today and for the amazing audience that continues to support me. No matter what the future holds, my goal is to keep creating, and sharing my music with those who resonate with it.

https://open.spotify.com/track/4oehPOHpLXlWTOukQ9Ij9X?si=1862894f1a9d4dca