We had the good fortune of connecting with Thea Tochihara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I’m actually a very spiritual person. Any big choice or risk usually gets sent through my spiritual assembly line for it’s due processing. Then I trust my gut and trust in God, and hope that they are having the same conversation! I think that approach gives me the confidence to not give up the second it doesn’t go my way, or question the decision I made or a risk I took, and allow it to lead me to the next one. Perseverence! Aside from that, I guess the risks I’ve taken make me a little more interesting to the average non-risk taker.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Writing songs is fulfulling therapeutically. It’s when it becomes something new on so many different levels is where it becomes something that I feel so proud of. When my husband & band mate adds the heartbeat, the bass, and whatever else he hears. When I get the opportunity and have the priviledge to work with the lush local talent in adding more color and layers to the tune, or in some cases, making the song into moving art, and creating a music video. When I get the honor of being asked to play live and letting the song be something new because of the people who are listening. That is what I’m most proud of. Each time a song invites a new person or artist in. It reminds me how full of magic life can be when you let it. And for the rest of the hours in the day, what perhaps sets me apart is that I have many hats. Since I started writing songs, I averted my course as a Marriage & Family Therapist Intern, worked in a gelato shop, bbq catering company, taught piano lessons at Guitar Center, toured in a rock band, owned an ice-cream shop, learned accounting, got into the sign making business, managed other bands, put live events together, worked as a PA on tv and film sets, opened a music studio, organized community events, closed a music studio, and found myself as a Worship leader for a local church. I wouldn’t say any step has been easy, but each step has also been the easiest moves I’ve ever made.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man! Monday morning jog on the Coronado beach, then grab an affogato at Nado gelato. Manicure across the street at the Coronado Beauty Salon w/ Denise or Reese and rummage the thrift store around the corner if it’s open. Happy hour at Cantina Mayahuel and head to the Casbah for whatever glorious Monday night show is lined up. Day 2-4, beach, bay, jet ski, hike…get on the sand and get on the water, and let the day take you where it may! Margaritas at Ponce’s? Late night burritos at Roberto’s on El Cajon? Chimichanga from Las Colima’s. I guess I’m partial to taco shops… Weekend thrift store shopping, boutique shopping in North Park and grab an early dinner at Tribute Pizza, perhaps before a live show at the Observatory (pre/post Covid-19 days). If you have an affinity for things on 2 wheels, Saturday morning grab your dirtbike and head to Jamul MX, then have a surprisingly tasty glass of wine down the road at the Dulzura Vineyard & Winery, maybe catch the sunset over a fairly hidden road in Pio Pico if you have the nerve. Then Sunday? rest. Find some Jesus time if you’d like, catch some good music at Trinity United Methodist ;), grab a beer down the street at Thorn Brewery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
San Diego is chalk-full of inspiring artists & musicians that give me life and motivation. My close friends and family, my husband, my pastor. Lady-Brain, Cathryn Beeks Productions, Helium Films USA, Pretzellogic Productions, Diamond X Productions, and Rowlberto’s Media to name a few. There are gems at every level tucked in every corner you might need to look for support and inspiration in the art of creating art in San Diego.

Website: www.theatheband.com
Instagram: instagram.com/thea_the_band
Twitter: https://twitter.com/theatheband
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theatheband
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theatochihara

Image Credits
Lauren Blagg

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.