Having dabbled in music for several years, Shayla McDaniel began to take her music more seriously after a friend challenged her to step out of her comfort zone and onto a bigger stage. She rose to the challenge and released the singles “Coffee” and “I’ll Leave the Light On,” and soon after performed in the Cre865 Showcase, the official Startup Day afterparty. She also went on to perform live on-air at WUTK 90.3 FM, WDVX 89.9 FM, WOZO 103.9 FM, at the Rhythm N’ Blooms Music Festival, Waynestock, and the Women in Jazz Jam Festival. McDaniel caught the attention of the Knoxville Music Warehouse, who chose her song “I’ll Leave the Light On” as one of the top 16 songs from Knoxville Artists in 2016.
The following year, fans voted her Knoxville’s Favorite Band of 2017. Her song “Silence” from the EP 26 Letters was voted Best Singer/Songwriter Song in the 2018 Knoxville Music Awards. She was voted Knoxville’s Best Musician/Band in 2018 Best of Knoxville Awards, nominated Best Female Local Singer/Songwriter of 2019 and 2020 by CityView Magazine, and nominated Knoxville’s Best Musician/Band of 2019 and 2020 by Knoxnews readers.
Her latest track “Let Me Breathe (How to Break Our Hearts)” prompts listeners to examine if a relationship is challenging but healthy, or tough and unnecessary. The drumbeat was written by Peter Mansen of Deep Sea Diver as part of their #StayHomeStems series to collaborate with fans during the chaos of 2020. Shayla’s crystalline vocals blend painlessly with the pop-fused melodies and flavourful instrumentation, making the slow-paced guitar-laced track sweetly intoxicating. This is a meaningful and well-orchestrated record providing an empowering message. The track is released today.
For further information on Shayla McDaniel please visit
Images- Courtesy of Shayla McDaniel
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