Tuelo Quiets the Noise With New Single “Green Light”
Written in Belgium in 2018, the track poured out of the artist as she began to reckon with major life changes, relationships evolving or ending, and the pace at which life moves today, aiming to calm her mind in any way she could. Tuelo explains, "It’s like I needed to give myself the impetus to restart friendships, to reexamine relationships, to be at peace with a period of self inquiry and questioning the universe, and of calming the noise. It stems from the fact that I started walking straight into traffic in New York City, oblivious to things around me. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders without anyone to lean on. More than that, I started worrying that I would be involved in an actual accident if I couldn’t get my mind right."
Ultimately, the track gives Tuelo the necessary space to quiet the outside noise and reassure herself of her path, desires and the brighter future ahead, acting as a crucial beacon of light. "There is so much stimulation, confusion and make-believe emerging, it felt urgent to be reminded to focus. Concentrate on the 'Green Light' – on good advice, on guidance, on the “everything is ok” sign."
The track also chronicles Tuelo's journey away from religion and its impact on her meaningful new relationship with herself, as well as music's vital role in this. The artist says, "I found that I was even more focused on being good, doing right, listening and serving what is good and serving my spirit. Song is always part of my practice.”
The track's accompanying video, directed by Kevin Wenzel, is a mirror of a mysterious ancient artifact and Tuelo, the visitor. A visit to a museum reveals an African masquerade, an idea from brilliant and spiritual West African masquerades. Tuelo says, "In it I awaken an ancient artifact that takes up space in a museum and let it free. Green Light is exactly that – a vibration.”
Inspired by a visit to the British Museum, Wenzel recalls, “When we were recording the album we traveled to London to work with producer Robbie Nelson, and I remember talking with Tuelo after she visited the museum for the first time about seeing all of the looted artifacts from around the world there. When creating the concept for the video we wanted to pull from that experience, and from the feeling in the music of finding direction in chaos–finding clarity and connection. So much of that clarity comes from traditions, history, and art, yet in a modern setting so much of it is distorted, walled off, or completely hidden from sight. We wanted the song and dancing to be a way to break through.”
