Tenise Marie is set to release her highly anticipated (and self-produced) new album Off The Record on July 11, 2025

Singer-songwriter Tenise Marie is set to release her highly anticipated (and self-produced) new album Off The Record on July 11, 2025 — a genre-blending and deeply personal project that chronicles her journey through identity, healing, and self-discovery. Born of exploration, both geographic and emotional, the album was inspired in part by Tenise’s travels to the Assyrian homeland in Iraq, a transformative experience that became a catalyst for reclaiming her roots and embracing the full complexity of who she is. Listen to Off The Record HERE.

Rooted in her mixed heritage — Assyrian, French, and British — and shaped by her upbringing in the Quaker community of Argenta, BC, Off The Record captures the emotional and spiritual layers of Tenise’s story. The songs reflect her desire to let go of perfection, accept vulnerability, and share the rawness of life’s beauty and difficulty. “This album honours all of the pieces of the mosaic I am,” says Tenise. “I endeavored to embrace all of my duality: of my heritage, of my experiences, of my nature and my nurture. I may be a citizen of the world, but I will always be a daughter of the mountains.” The album was made possible in part through a Research & Creation grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, which supported the writing process. With that support, Tenise dedicated time to studying Assyrian language, history, and music, while also traveling to Iraq to connect with her ancestral roots. “Initially, I thought I would create a concept album based solely on my experience in Assyria,” she reflects. “But over time, I realized that embracing my Assyrian identity helped me feel more whole in all areas of my life. These parts of me are not conflicting — they’re co-existent. Breaking apart all of my pieces gave me the opportunity to craft a mosaic that’s stronger and more complete than ever before.”

Sonically, Off The Record blends the warmth and intimacy of folk with the soulfulness of R&B, jazz, and gospel, while introducing the intricate textures of Middle Eastern instrumentation. Tenise’s voice — simultaneously tender and powerful — is the anchor, supported by acoustic guitar, piano, and oud. Her lyrics are confessional and poetic, inviting listeners into stories of travel, grief, friendship, heartbreak, and resilience. Influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez, and the musical traditions of her Assyrian ancestry, Tenise weaves Western and Eastern folk elements together to create a sound that feels at once timeless and entirely her own. Reflecting on the album’s creation, Tenise shares: “As someone with mixed heritage, I’ve often felt on the edge of something — torn in all four directions, longing to belong somewhere. My mother was adopted, and while she bravely searched for her biological family, we grew up disconnected from our matrilineal culture. It was my mother who taught me the importance of identity. Empowered by the internet, I took it one step further — I started learning about our Assyrian heritage. That journey changed me. It gave me a stronger sense of self and deepened my connection to everything else I come from. I wanted this album to capture that entire chapter of my life — not just the history I uncovered, but the personal growth it inspired.”