Tantalizing Teddy

Meet our newest musical heartthrob, 17-year-old Teddy Geiger

Once you stop being mesmerized by his striking deep-blue eyes, you’ll find that Teddy Geiger is an ultra-talented musician who writes and arranges his own lyrics and music, taught himself to play guitar, and is constantly humbled by his widespread fan base. With his debut album Underage Thinking (Sony BMG/Columbia) just released, FASHION18’s Sandra Colburn sat down with Teddy to discuss his musical talents, his future as a musician and, of course, the one question you’re dying to know the answer to: does he have a girlfriend?

FASHION18: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career as a musician?

Teddy Geiger: I have always enjoyed writing, playing and listening to music, but I never actually thought of it as an option to make it a career until I was 14 or 15. I wasn’t really convinced till I signed the recording contract when I was 16.

F18: You’ve been compared to talented and admired artists like John Mayer and Chris Martin. Do you feel any pressure to live up to their talents?

T.G.: It is a really awesome feeling and I’m a big fan of both of them. They’ve had really great careers, and I could only hope to have a career as great as them.

F18: Has there been a moment since you’ve reached your star status that you’ve been completely star-struck?

T.G.: I don’t think I have ever actually been completely star-struck. The coolest person I ever got to meet was John Mellencamp. While I was doing the (TV) show Love Monkey, I got to do a scene with him, which was pretty awesome.

F18: What was it like hearing your music played on the radio?

T.G.: The first time I ever heard my music on the radio was in Rochester, N.Y., in my dad’s car. It really wasn’t that strange because I usually listen to stuff I record in my dad’s car. It just felt like I had put in one of my CDs. It will be weird when I’m in some public place. If I’m in an airport or the supermarket and one of my songs comes on, I think that’ll be weird.

F18: When did you realize you had become famous?

T.G.: I still don’t really feel famous yet. There have been a few times where I have been recognized in public and that is always pretty weird. But it’s cool because it proves that all the shows you’re playing and everything you’re doing to promote your music is actually working.

F18: Who influences you musically?

T.G.: When I was little the first piece of music I ever had was this Weezer cassette tape and I listened to that over and over again. Then I went out and bought Whatever & Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five. That album has been a huge influence on me—it’s definitely my favourite album ever.

F18: Describe your personal style.

T.G.: I’m normally just a jeans-and-T-shirt kinda guy. Just about anything that makes me feel comfortable.

F18: Whose style do you admire most musically and in fashion?

T.G.: I would have to say I admire Ben Folds both in music and in fashion. Now that I think about it, I think he’s a sweater-and-cords type of guy. I dig that!

F18: What are the main qualities you look for in a girlfriend?

T.G.: Even though my answer is going to sound cliché, it is very important to me that she is outgoing. Someone who is not afraid to just be herself. Also very cliché, they need a good sense of humour, because it is never any fun if she doesn’t have a sense of humour. I like pretty eyes too. It doesn’t matter what colour as long as they are pretty—pretty
eyes are good.

F18: Describe a perfect date night.

T.G.: I’ve gotten that question once before and I had no clue how to answer. Movies are probably the worst date idea, because you just go and sit in a theatre for two hours and then you leave. The only time to actually get to know each other is before and after the movie. So yeah, that’s not a good idea, unless you don’t want to talk to the person. I think dinner is a much better option for a date.

F18: Are you currently in a relationship?

T.G.: At the moment it’s just too hard to have a relationship. I’m really not in one place for more than a week or so. That is a very hard thing to get past.

F18: If you weren’t pursuing a musical career, what would you be doing?

T.G.: I really have no clue—and that is kind of terrifying. My dad is an electrical engineer and I’ve always been kind of interested in that, so something like that. Maybe if I weren’t an artist I would work on the production side of music because that’s a huge interest for me—I still hope at some point to work more on the production side.

Photo courtesy Sony BMG Music (Canada) Inc.

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