What has been the greatest moment of 2020 for you?
I recorded my first official music video this year! It was such a fun experience. The video is for my most recent single release, “Love’s Crying”. I wasn’t initially considering making a video for the song, but the lyrics lend themselves to telling the story of the times we’re living through, and my co-producer and I realized that we wanted to bring that story to life visually as well as auditorily to do our part in documenting history. People are going to think back to 2020 in 5, 10, 20 years, and I’m glad that some of the art I’ve created will be a part of depicting what this year has been like.
How do you want your art to be remembered?
I want my music to tell the story of the times we’re living through. I think we’re all alive in this current age for a reason, and I feel so compelled to write music that will help tell the stories of society. I want to create music that can serve as the soundtrack to people’s lives. I really feel like all music does this, but some of the newer music I’m creating includes some very cinematic, storytelling qualities, and I’m striving to create musical narratives that can track along with people’s life narratives.
How have you felt most appreciated as a creative and artist?
I feel most appreciated as a creative when, after a show or after hearing some of my music, people tell me about their experience of it, how moved or impacted they were. I often get very caught up in worrying about small mistakes or things I could’ve done better that I underestimate how impactful music can be for others. I’m always so humbled and honored when someone tells me how genuinely moved they were by the music I’ve shared. It’s also a nice reality check and reminder for me not to overthink my process and delivery and to just keep doing what I’m doing.
Who have been your strongest allies in your career?
This list is short for me, and while I’m sure it’ll continue growing, I’ve found only a handful of people outside of my family who have proven to be truly in my corner and have helped me reach new levels with my creative endeavors. I’ve collaborated with a couple of amazing producers who challenge me and pull new things out of me. I’m friends with a few people who are well connected within the industry who’ve helped me in tremendous ways over the years. I also have allies in a few artists whose missions and drives to create music are similar to mine, and we’ve supported each other in various ways over the years from being sounding boards for ideas, collaborating on songs, and putting on concerts together.
What do you see as the most important part of your journey?
The most important part of my journey has been coming to understand what I’m truly good at, passionate about, and how I can use it to make a difference in the world. Learning and understanding these things is definitely a life-long venture, so I’ve now in a way “arrived”. I feel pretty clear on my pursuits and am encouraged by that. I have a lot of big goals about bringing change to the world, and I feel so much closer to achieving those goals now than I ever have.
Please tell us about your latest project and how we can get involved!
My latest project is a single, Love’s Crying, which was released in August. The music video for Love’s Crying releases on Friday, October 23, and will premiere on YouTube that day! My next project which will release in early 2021 is a solo EP which I’ll be sharing more about very soon!!!
Please share your Instagram link so our readers can follow you there.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/shanellalyssa/
End of Interview