Spooky Season: Teza Talks Electrifies Neumos with Black Girl American Horror Story
Photos by Jordan Somers
By Lorcan Stokes
It’s 7 PM on a chilly mid-October evening in Seattle’s Capitol Hill. A crisp breeze cuts through the air, but the neighborhood is still alive with energy. Street vendors serve up hot dogs to passersby, groups gather for after-work drinks, and tired commuters make their way home. Meanwhile, a growing line forms outside Neumos, where concertgoers, blending punk and hip-hop styles, are eagerly awaiting tonights show. They’re here for Teza Talks, set to take the stage for the release of Black Girl American Horror Story, her highly anticipated debut album, hailed as her most innovative work yet.
By 7:15, we’re inside the venue. DJ Kween Kaysh spins an eclectic mix of pop, rap, punk, and house, setting the vibe as more attendees gather in front of the stage. To the left, a merchandise table offers a range of gear from tonight’s performers—shirts and other keepsakes are selling fast. People are grabbing drinks, locking down their spots on the floor for the show, and nodding along to the music. It’s the calm before the storm.
At 8:00, the first opener has taken the stage by this point. Mauvey, dressed in a blue dress and a necklace of oversized silver pearls, commands attention. A Ghanaian artist known for his unique fusion of Afrobeat, pop, hip-hop, alternative, and electronic sounds, he captivates the audience from the start. With tracks like PRAY FOR YOU, he has the crowd swaying and energized.
As Mauvey wraps up his performance, the crowd swells even more, their anticipation for the main act palpable. During the break, an unexpected treat unfolds—a spontaneous drag show. Issa Man, Pussy Willow, and Feather Fatale strut through the crowd like they’re parting the Red Sea, turning the space into their stage. Their electrifying performances heighten the energy in the room, giving the audience an unforgettable surprise before the headliner takes the spotlight.
Beginning the third act of the night is Qreeps, a DJ accompanied by a collective of hip-hop performers, each with a unique style that takes the crowd to different places. It includes
Finally, at 9:45 PM, the moment everyone has been waiting for arrives—Teza Talks takes the stage, backed by a full band featuring violin, guitar, bass, drums, and piano. This feels like more than just a performance; it's a sonic experience. Black Girl American Horror Story represents the culmination of Teza’s evolving sound, shaped by both her personal and professional journey. She kicks off the set with Don't Call My Phone No More, a hard-hitting fusion of punk and trap with heavy bass that sends the crowd into a frenzy. The energy in the room is electric, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.
Despite the heavy beats at the start, the show is constantly changing due to fusion of sounds the album has. With ELIVIRA and STOPIT!, Teza flexes her rhyming abilites over heavy hip hop tracks. With MONSTER STRUT, she takes listeniers almost on a blast to the past with some of her most electronic/house songs. She also showcases some incredible emotions on the album, with the likes OXYGEN, RIGHT BRAIN, and Hold MY HAND showcasing soulful melodies. In one of her more somber songs, TeZA sings of police brutality with COPS, dedicating the song to victimes to police brutality.
“I want you to understand that this record is to honor the lives that we dopn’t remember because the story gets replaced by the cops. Did you hear me? So when I sing this song, really hear me when I say these words. This is a story about the cops. You’ll listen but it’s given. You’ll hear this more than once,” Teza said to the crowd.
Towards the ending of her show, Teza receives an encore.
“Teza, Teza, Teza,” the crowd roars.
Teza closes out the night with a powerful rendition of Houdini, but it’s the grand finale that truly ignites the crowd. For her final performance, she launches into a blistering cover of Limp Bizkit’s Break Stuff, unleashing a surge of raw energy. The crowd erupts, and in seconds, a wild mosh pit forms, bodies crashing and thrashing in unison. It’s a chaotic, high-octane finish to an unforgettable night, leaving everyone buzzing as Teza exits the stage.
