“Everything we do, every decision we make, leads us to where we are today.” ~ Shayna
For Universal Music Group recording artist Shayna Leigh, music tells the story of this journey. Growing up in Orlando, Shayna originally found music through the dramatic arts. Commercial work as a child actor led to musical theater, where she first discovered singing. She found it to be the most instinctual form of expression she’d ever experienced, and she was hooked.
In July of 2015, Shayna released her debut album Drive on S-Curve Records/UMG. The album includes ten tracks produced and co-written by Multi Platinum & Multi Grammy Award Winning Record Producer Michael Mangini (Joss Stone, Diane Birch), and Emmy Award Winning, Multi-Platinum Songwriter and Producer Peter Zizzo (Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton).
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As co-writer of her record, Shayna loved bringing her input – her life, really – to the table, to see what it sparked into motion. The ensuing creative mingling of hearts and minds is what made the collaboration behind this album so deeply inspiring to her. Influenced by greats, like The Beatles and Carole King, Shayna believes her music has organic roots and pop leanings. She loves creating songs that tell a story but in the way of pop music. She is very much into dichotomy – happy songs that sound sad and sad songs that sound happy. For her, the definitive element of her music will always be her voice.
Already making a name for herself, Shayna has been invited to many coveted industry events hosted by the likes of Rolling Stone, TIDAL, NYLON, Vulture, and many more.
2016 was an incredible year for Shayna, as she hit the road with American Idol winner, Lee DeWyze and Wakey Wakey, and released her new original single “Goodbye July” with its accompanying music video through AOL.
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She is now gearing up for the release of her next EP of original music.
You discovered music through the dramatic arts. You began as a child actor, which led to musical theater. From there, you found a love for singing. Tell us more.
Before I found acting, I had tried nearly a dozen extra curricular activities and was pretty bad at everything. I was the only kid in my level 1 gymnastics class, who was not allowed to graduate to level 2! So, it was all the more exciting to find something that I had a passion and a talent for. I started doing plays and as I got more and more involved in my local theater. I somehow ended up taking a voice lesson. That was kind of it for me. I’ve pretty much been singing ever since.
Tell us about your experience working with Multi Platinum & Multi Grammy Award Winning Record Producer Michael Mangini (Joss Stone, Diane Birch), and Emmy Award Winning, Multi-Platinum Songwriter and Producer Peter Zizzo (Avril Lavigne, Vanessa Carlton). It must have been like a dream come true!
When I met Michael and Peter, the thing that I found most amazing about them was how smart they are and how well they understood the music industry (which is incredibly confusing even after all this time!) I’ve been so very lucky because not only are they both super smart and talented, they’re also really good people. I was definitely a little intimidated, at first, but was eventually able to relax and be myself. I still feel very grateful to have them in my life.
Many artists do not have the luxury of co-writing their songs. Tell us about your writing process.
Anyone can co-write! It’s as easy as finding a musician friend and getting together to explore a song idea. I have definitely been lucky to have such accomplished co-writers, who have taught me things I didn’t even know I needed to know (which I will be forever grateful for), but it is something anyone can do! The best part about co-writing is that you don’t really know how it’s going to go, until you get there and every song is created differently. Some songs are born from a guitar riff; others are inspired by a lyric or a melody. We’ve taken excerpts from my journal and turned them in to songs. My new EP is all completely based on stories I told Peter and Michael about what was going on in my life. The most important thing in co-writing, I believe, is just to be open and to let the session and the song take you where it’s going to take you. That’s when the real magic happens.
Your music is influenced by The Beatles and Carole King. Tell us how they inspire your music.
They were a big part of the sound track of my childhood. My parents always played a lot of music around the house, so I think it kind of just seeped into my bones. The Beatles taught me about melody; Carole King taught story telling. Both have given me lessons in authenticity. More than even influencing my music, these artists have influenced me as a person. They’ve helped me become myself. I think that’s the real power of music.
We know music is your love and passion, but have you considered any acting roles?
I’ve actually been taking a weekly acting class for years, because it is also something I very much love. I would absolutely love to have the opportunity to act one day. I started focusing on making music, because I felt like I had something to say as an artist. As myself and as my career has developed, it has started taking up more and more of my time, which I couldn’t be more grateful for, but I am also always open to any acting opportunities that come my way!
You love creating songs that tell a story, but you’re very much into dichotomy – happy songs that sound sad and sad songs that sound happy. Tell us more about this.
I think I’ve just always loved the tension that comes from this contrast, when there is something surprising or unexpected in a seemingly straightforward song. I haven’t thought a ton about why I love this dichotomy, but I think maybe it has to do with that I believe there is more to everything and everyone than meets the eye. Life is so rich and complex, and I think maybe I want to put a little of that nuance in my music.
In 2016, you hit the road with American Idol winner, Lee DeWyze & Wakey Wakey, and released you new original single “Goodbye July,” with its accompanying music video through AOL. Tell us more about your last year.
Well those were definitely two of the highlights! I spent the last year balancing between releasing Goodbye July and writing and recording my new EP, which I am about to release. I also played a few hometown shows and did some recreational traveling! Last year was a really great year for me; there were some real ups and downs. I learned a lot about myself and was able to write that into my music.
You’re getting ready to release an EP. What can you tell us about it?
Up until this point, I’ve very much avoided writing traditional romance/relationship songs. As a teenager, I had a bit of a hard time growing into myself. I remember listening to love songs on the radio and feeling like that could never be my story. So, when I started making music, I vowed to write about other things, things my younger self would’ve felt inspired and empowered by. But, when I sat down to start making this EP, it became clear that I was ignoring such a huge part of my life in the songwriting process, so I decided to do something different. My new EP is all about dating! It’s about ending relationships and getting back out there and about my experiences as a single girl in NYC. I’m so excited to share.
Do you plan to tour to promote the EP?
I just got back from a two week tour with Lee DeWyze, where I played a lot of the new EP, so YES! I love playing live. If I have the opportunity to tour, I will always take it! Hopefully, there will be more.
Are there any special projects you’re working on that you can share?
I am in the process of releasing a series of 5 music videos for each of the 5 songs on the EP. The first one, Candle, came out this month! All 5 are connected in concept but stylistically very different. I can’t wait to see how people respond to them. I love making videos (I get to use a little bit of my acting) and these are my favorites yet!
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What do you like to do to relax in between recording sessions?
I generally like to do some combination of the following to relax: sleep, work out, hang out with my friends/family, travel and watch TV. It’s really easy, when you’re creating something to feel like your project is the most important thing in the whole world. Artistic living takes a lot out of you. I think the most important thing to do to unwind is to somehow remind yourself that the world is bigger than your work. I do this by traveling, by being in nature, and being with the people I love. As much as I love my music, I will always love my family, my friends who are like family, more. When I am with them, I remember that.
What’s next for you?
Releasing this EP and the videos that tell its’ story! After that, I hope to tour more and make more music! I’m genuinely so excited for this next phase of my career.
Connect with Shayna:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyshaynaleigh
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyshaynaleigh
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaynaLeighOfficial
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/shayna_leigh
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shaynaleigh
Web: https://www.shaynaleigh.com
Featured image: Photograpghy by Bobby-Quillard
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