Life Behind Shenna's Kaleidoscopic Lens
office sat down with Shenna and spoke about her optimistic outlook on life, staying grounded, and her soon-to-be-released EP. Read it all below.
You are a really multifaceted person, not just through the music, but through lots of different things. So I wanted to ask why you decided music was the one medium that you wanted to channel that creative energy into — what was the first jump that made you want to go into music?
I'm a creative all around, but music just always stuck out to me. I just listened to a ton of music growing up and it was the best way for me to express myself. I write my lyrics about what I'm going through — what my friends are going through. I always tell people it's a hobby that I never grew out of, that just became a part of me.
I know you've listed Doja Cat, Kali Uchis, and M.I.A as some musicians you look up to, and even though your music has a sense of familiarity since it falls within that genre, I feel like you still have such a unique sound. How do you stay grounded and true to who you are through an industry that can be pretty crazy?
Nobody's ever asked me that. That's awesome. For me, my whole brand — and I hate to use the word brand — but you know, my whole identity as an artist is about embracing who you are and staying true to who you are. That's what I always tell people at all of my live shows and throughout this whole journey. A lot of it had to do with the music I listened to. I listened to so much music growing up and that helped me find my own sound. I studied jazz in school but I grew up listening to R&B and pop music, you know, the Britney Spears era, the Christina Aguilera era. I had such a variety of music around me that influenced me as a person and as the musician I am today.
Yeah, I definitely could see a bunch of different things coming together and creating the sound that you have. Aside from your musical influences, I know you also come from a multicultural background — as someone familiar with that upbringing I know that definitely influences your persona as well.
One hundred percent.
How do you think that influenced your sound?
It did so much. Us growing up in a multicultural household — you don't really think about it as much as a kid. But now as an adult, looking back, I'm like, 'Wow, my dad showed me so much Middle-Eastern music when I was growing up.' My dad's Syrian, so he would always play one of the biggest Middle Eastern stars, Nancy Ajram. And I remember not knowing what she was saying, because I don't speak Arabic fluently, but I could repeat everything she was saying by memory. He would always have me sing it to his family who only speaks Arabic. That was a way of us communicating which I thought was very unique. That was always very special to me and I still see that influence in my life today.
I feel like that shows really how deep-rooted the whole musicality thing is for you. Just growing up with it and, aside from doing it for fun, it found its way into your family dynamic too. As someone who just moved to New York myself, I think it's really admirable that you decided to take the leap and move here and pursue music. If you could advise anyone else who maybe is a bit wary about making that leap, what would you tell them?
I tell people that this is your life and time is so important. Everything is about timing, so don't be afraid to take that leap. At first, it'll feel scary, for sure. But at the same time, you're gonna feel so much more inspired to be in the environment that you want to be in. So whether it's moving to New York or moving to a different country or wherever you want to go in life, you just have to take that risk.
Your first EP was called Dream in Color, and I feel like everything about you — your hair and your outfits — is so colorful. So if you had to pick one color to encompass your persona, what would it be?
So all of my projects are based on colors and based on how I'm feeling. Right now it's red — and it's not just because of the hair. I really feel, you know, we've been in quarantine for so long. There were a lot of built-up emotions — maybe you were angry or just feeling very antsy and needing to get out of that bubble. Red is a very bold and expressive color and that's why I'm feeling it right now. I'm ready to just go for everything in life.
And your next project is based on the color red as well right? Why did you also decide to choose that color for this album? Do you think that the new songs evoke a feeling that makes you think of that color?
For sure. The EP that I'm working on right now is called "Left On Red" and it has that double meaning to it. The songs are very moody. They're very in your face and 'I'm not holding back,' lyrically.
I want to talk about your latest single, "Elevator Music," which I love. I've listened to it over and over and over again. I just think it's really cool that you took an ordinary sound, elevator music, and turned it into something super catchy. I think that's also something that's characteristic of you as an artist — having fun with things. Would you agree that that's your general outlook on life and in your music?
That's definitely what I want from my music. Even if it has serious meaning to it, I do try to make it still upbeat. It's like when you're dancing in a club and then you actually listen to the lyrics. You're like, 'Wait, this is crazy. It's sad.' That can be really fun for me as a lyricist. I like to be playful with my words, but I do have a lot of songs on this upcoming project that are more vulnerable and you'll see a different side of me as an artist. But definitely for "Elevator Music," it's quirky and I really wanted to show that part of my personality.
Aside from the music you create, you are also a voting member for the Recording Academy and then a member of the Forbes The Culture community. You take on so many things, so I wanted to know how you balance all of those endeavors?
Thank you. I mean, it is a hundred percent a lot, but I just make sure whatever I take on — that it makes sense for where I'm at in my journey. I always want to give back as well. Being a member of color in the Recording Academy, especially as a woman, is very crucial. I just want my voice to be heard and to represent other people.
I think it allows you to have a very interesting perspective about music and the industry as well — this 360 view. As far as your next EP, is there anything you want to share about what's to come?
I'm really into fashion — I know you are as well. So that plays a big role in this EP. And I'm very excited for the visuals of this project because I'm working with a lot of up-and-coming brands and designers. That's what I want to showcase. Independent music is starting to create a lane of its own, but people don't always think about independent fashion, independent videographers and all that. So I want to showcase that. Even the musicians that I'm hiring to work with, like violinists and other instrumentalists — people that I think are the absolute best that are unheard — I want to also give them that platform as well.
I love that you say that because I feel like a lot of my creative work has the same goal. I just really like finding these individuals — whether they're household names or not — who are doing really, really amazing work. There are so many amazing people who create things out there. So I think that's really admirable if you're aiming to do the same with this next EP. And I can't wait to hear.
