The very talented Singer-Songwriter Sharlene-Monique made her 2021 return with the new empowering song ‘Human’ in February. Today sees the release of her second single of the year ‘Of Love’. No stranger to the music industry, Sharlene is set to go on tour with UK pop icon Gabrielle later this year. Once again, we had the enormous pleasure to catch up with her to discuss the track, the tour, and more!
Thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. Congratulations on your career to date. For readers who are unfamiliar with you, how did you get into music?
I started singing when I was around 4 years old in church. It feels like I have been singing my whole life because I have always sung in church and loved it. My dad played piano and used to teach my sister and I songs to perform until she decided she was no longer interested. I released my first single in 2017 titled ‘You’ and the journey has continued from then until now. I’ve had some great experiences over the year like releasing project Destiny, touring around the UK, Europe, and America with the Kingdom Choir.
Please tell us more about your latest release ‘Of Love’ and what inspired you to write it. Note: Please provide an overview of the theme, how long it took to write etc.
‘Of Love’ is a song that’s dedicated to my beautiful daughter Tahia. I wrote it whilst sick in bed during my pregnancy as I, unfortunately, had hyperemesis. I had never felt so down and the only thing I could focus on was having her and holding her. My husband pushed me to write this song in one of my really low moments and I’m so glad he did.
With 2020 being an unusual year, how did this impact the production of the track?
2020 had a huge impact on so many of my music releases. I had planned to release this song along with a number of others last year but the pandemic hit, I was pregnant and unfortunately had some bereavements in my family. All my music went on pause but to be honest this feels like the perfect time to release it. It took around 3 writing sessions for us to complete it and my husband co-wrote, produced, and mixed the song.
You’re set to go on tour with UK pop icon Gabrielle. Originally planned for 2020, the tour has been rescheduled for November 2021 with an 18-date schedule reaching across the UK and Ireland, finishing at London’s enormous Indigo At The O2. Can you tell us more about the new schedule and how the pandemic has impacted you both personally and professionally?
The new schedule is set to start on November 7th – 26th and we’re hoping things will be better so we can play all this new music. Gabrielle was recently on the masked singer and released a new album titled ‘Do It Again’. I’m sure she is eager to get back on the road too. I’m really looking forward to it as I’m so inspired by her and she’s had so much success over the years and she’s an icon.
Your accolades include performing at the 2018 Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as a member of the Kingdom Choir. You’ve toured the world performing with the Kingdom Choir as a lead singer, appearing on The Today Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Hollywood Bowl, and The Invictus Games (Australia) What has been your most memorable performance to date and why?
I think the most memorable moment was the Royal wedding. I can remember standing in Windsor castle thinking this is like a dream. David Beckham, Tom Hardy, and Oprah were all in the same room and 2 billion households were watching. It was surreal and such a great moment to be part of.
Where can our readers find out more about you and your projects?
You can find my music on all major platforms such a Spotify. If you follow me my music will automatically be added to your library. I’m always on Instagram @sharlenemonique and you can find me on Twitter and Facebook too. For more information on me and to stay connected visit my website www.sharlenemonique.com
Facebook: Sharlene-Monique
Twitter: @sharlenemoniq
Instagram: @sharlenemonique
We wish her the very best with the track and forthcoming tour.
Photography by Relm
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