Photo Credit: sharlenemonique.com
Hi, Sharlene-Monique! We are reviewing your EP “Destiny”. “Awe & Wonder” is the lead single off the EP. You created a beautiful fusion of sound. Tell us what inspired the song?
Thank you for the compliment. This song was inspired by being in a job I was really frustrated in. I felt a little trapped as it was not my dream job and it left me feeling very underwhelmed. But I really felt like there was a purpose for me being there. I can remember thinking ‘Look for the awe and wonder’ which basically means anything good that I feel comes from it. Sometimes life can feel like a hamster wheel and our routine can take the fun out of it. This song was written for anyone who has the Monday blues. Look for the good….
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Tell us about the writing process for Awe & Wonder.
Awe & Wonder’ was written with Jake Isaac, he is amazing. I knew I wanted to write a song about finding the good and gold in the moments of nothingness that life sometimes presents and within around an hour it was written. The guitar melody in the intro was Jakes idea and I loved it. I wanted there to be an African drum element to it and Chris executed it perfectly.
Do you agree your music is a fusion of different genres?
To me, it just feels like a whole lot of soul! I guess because it’s my music from my heart & it’s just me.
You bring a high-energy stage performance. How do you maintain that level for each performance?
I have always loved the stage from a very young age. I was raised in the Pentecostal church and my dad was a keyboardist. I would always ask him to go on stage and perform from the age of 4 as it came very naturally to me. When I’m performing I feel like I’m in the spot I was created for and I love it.
Tell us how the EP formed.
All the songs came from my personal experiences and I feel they all tell a story which I hope people will relate to. The title track ‘Destiny’ took Chris and me well over a year to write. All we had was the guitar melody & the chorus. It had to be right and after around 3 rewrites it was finished. This song is for those who want all life has to offer. I can remember a time when it seemed like nothing was happening in my life. Sometimes when you’re going after dreams you just need to be reminded that it takes hard work and very often you are already living your destiny.
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‘Seeing Love’ is about Chris and I he also wrote it. I wanted to talk about all aspects of my life and I find relationships such a mystery, especially my marriage. I am always amazed by the moments when Chris and I are not connecting as I would like. Somehow once we talk it through, what seemed like the worst moment turns into our greatest strength. My view of love is constantly evolving and I think the beauty of love is very often found in the conflict.
‘You’ is very special to me because I wrote it after so many years of low self-esteem. It’s the song I refer to as ‘my gift’ because the response for it has been amazing and it feels so good to know that even though it came from a really hard time in my life it has helped so many people. Music is truly like healing for the soul. I think it’s one of Gods gifts to us.
Growing up, what songs inspired you?
Growing up I loved and still love gospel music, artists like John P Kee, Darryl Coley, Lashan Pace and Marvin Zapp. Gospel music was all my father played and he had a massive CD collection. I also grew up listening to Lauryn Hill, Brandy, Faith Evans, Jill Scott. Songs like ‘The Misuseducation Of Lauryn Hill’, ‘Long Walk’ and ‘The Boy is Mine’ were some of my favorites. I loved artists that had tone and vocal agility. Lauryn Hill was probably my favorite of them all.
Do you draw from personal experiences to create your music?
100%! All my songs are from my own personal experiences.
Your lyrics make people think! What is the most important aspect of songwriting?
My songs are very intentional. When I start to write a song I don’t initially think I want this to make people think, I just write music that I am moved by. When My husband and I decided on the songs for this EP we would lay on the sofa and listen to them over and over again to see if they moved us deeply. I like my songs to provoke thought, encourage, uplift and inspire.
What is the biggest misconception about being a singer?
Note: Use this section to discuss the misconception of being a singer.
People think we are always very confident and sure of ourselves. Yes, we are all those things to an extent because have to be, but being a singer/ creative is extremely vulnerable and being an independent artist is even harder. You feel very exposed but it’s all part of the process
What is your most favorite performance in your career to date?
After I released my first single last year, I have done a show in Luton at ‘The Bear Club’ and it was the first time I did my own set with one of my songs alone. I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be and it felt amazing.
List the 5 things you need to have with you on a stage.
Sorry, I don’t have 5, Water is all I need.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I’m currently planning a European tour and a headline show in London this summer. I’ll share all the details on my social media when it’s all planned
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to change anything, I would change ___________.
Gun/ knife crime and racism.
Connect with Sharlene-Monique:
Web: https://www.sharlenemonique.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharlenemonique/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharlenemoniq
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqM9O-5U8qy5DeebrCmzuYA
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1S7D2mQKISC57753rl6g86?si=FIToWzIfSHifZJgA7Skq6g
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharlenemoniq/
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