Shenna

Featuring shimmering sounds of sonic pop goodness with a smile to match, New York-via-Virginia based pop songstress SHENNA has perked up our earbuds with her latest release “Air Balloons.” The rising singer/songwriter is on the verge of releasing her sophomore EP ‘Made of Gold,’ and with anticipation rising, GroundSounds caught up with SHENNA to talk about her latest music, forthcoming EP and more check out the exclusive interview below.
SHENNA, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started with music?

I started music seriously at the age of 7 singing background for my cousins and performing at family events. I always knew I wanted to pursue music professionally since a young age and would collect vinyl records from thrift shops and listened to Michael Jackson and Diana Ross mainly.

Can you tell us about your transition for Virginia to NYC? What do you enjoy most about the ‘Big Apple’?

I made the transition to New York City from Virginia a year ago. I always knew I wanted to move to NY and decided after making a few connections down here that this was the city for me. I love my hometown and am happy that they are supporting me with my dreams. Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with your latest track “Air Balloons?”

I wanted to make a track dedicated to an unforgettable summer night with friends and new faces were everyone is living in the moment as if time doesn’t exist! My producer created the beat with a familiar pop keyboard progression to draw in listeners. I wanted my vocals to sounds as if I was in the party and having a great time being around awesome people. You recently performed at the D.C. Pride Festival can you tell us about this performance and festival?

The Pride Festival in D.C. was a wonderful experience. I got to meet many new people from different states and network with other musicians! I performed two new songs off of “Made Of Gold” colluding my single “Air Balloons”. It was very cool to see the crowd react to the news songs in a positive light.

You are expected to release your sophomore EP Made of Gold, this summer, what has it been like working on this project and bringing it to fruition?

Working on my sophomore EP has been fun yet a challenge! During the recording of my first project I was still in search of my sound but during the recording process of “Made Of Gold” I feel that I finally found my sound. What made you decide on the EP name Made of Gold?

The message behind the title “Made of Gold” is that we all are precious and have a valuable role in life. The word “gold” is usually associated with luxury, rare, and rich. I feel that is as individuals need to always remember that we are valuable!

We read that you have also been working on several voice over projects, what can you reveal to us about these endeavors?

At the moment I am working on a independent cartoon and singing some jingles for commercials. It is always fun to do voice overs because you get to channel a new character!

What bands/musicians are you currently listening to?

Currently I am listening to a lot of old school music in order to gain inspiration. I feel that music back in the day had such raw emotion because it was less computer generated and used live instruments.

When you are on stage singing and performing what goes through your mind? Honestly It all depends what song I am performing. When I am on stage I try to take in the moment and convey the emotion of the song I am singing to the audience. It never fails that sometime between my set I realize that I am on stage doing what I love to do and have people supporting me in the audience. It is such a great feeling!

After the EP release, what is next for SHENNA?

I plan to tour and perform in different cities with a dream of becoming an opening act for a mainstream artist! I will definitely continue to record and am excited to see where the future leads me!

SHENNA, what can fans look forward to?

I feel this project is really showcasing the type of artist I really am and I am excited to bring my supporters into my world. - Jon Berrien

Woodbridge, Virginia (US) indie-pop singer-songwriter SHENNA has just released her glistening new summer single “Air Balloons” taken from her second EP “Made of Gold”.

Shena has recently been seen with Carly Rae Jepsen and En Vogue at DC pride. We had a listen to Air Balloons:

This is the second summer song of air balloons in recent times.

Balloons are attractive, cheap and ephemeral. (Well, those that are rubber-stretchy, are, anyway.)

They remind us of festivals and of childhood. Neither Lily Allen nor, in this case, Shenna — seem aware of the affiliation that the humble balloon has with heroin dealing. (Well, either that or the lyrics are so ingeniously crafted and so thoroughly misleading that we have not made the connection … Now thinking about it, the heroin-connection probably explains all the fungus growing madness in Lily’s video.) Back to Shenna’s number which is a sparkling song of expectation… Be optimistic and motivated now, the upbeat message begs you, because you need to live for the present —life and good times are transient.

When things deflate…as they undoubtedly will (and you are not riding things out, presumably) then the high-days will be your days of hope… You can cling onto that message.

Beats are ordered, filled with tiny detonations, and the musical base of this attractive track is filled with invention.

Rhythms are created by a lean mixture of synth-based sounds that allow the glowing voice to be squished. Like marzipan pink Play-Doh squeezed out from one of those spaghetti makers.

So the vocal coils out and embraces. A warm hug of protection.

Highly efficient and extremely adorable vocals, located between downspeeded airborne particles, this song creates a mix of high hopes, lushed. - Neil Mach

Are you a fan of Indie-pop/R&B singer Shenna? Cause we certainly are!

The multi-talented Shenna just released the first single off her sophomore album Made Of Gold and we cannot wait to hear more!

The relaxed, catchy Air Balloons is a song made for summer listening. The track also a terrific showcase for Shenna’s talent as an artist. She has been performing since the age of 7, and her experience and abilities are on full display here.

You can take a listen to Air Balloons below, and be sure to look out for Shenna’s EP Made Of Gold later this year.
Is Air Balloons already stuck in your head? Are you already saving up to buy Made Of Gold? Let us know on Facebook or @Fanlala on Twitter! - Fanlala

If you’re a fan of MTV’s “Finding Carter,” you may have heard a clip of Shenna’s “Take Your Time” in the second season of the show. While that song is good, Shenna’s “Air Balloons” is even better. Unlike “Take Your Time,” Shenna’s vocals aren’t buried in layers of audio production on “Air Balloons.” Rather, they are brought front and center where her unique vocal style can wash over you. Give the song a listen and very soon you hear why this is a solid pop song that will hook you in short order. - Ted Asregadoo

W O R L D P R E M I E R

Lately, the talented young singer/song-writer known as Shenna, has been pretty busy. From her hit song "Take Your Time (Dream In Color)" being featured on MTV's original series "Finding Carter", to performing at the famous Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C.; this young rising star has been doing everything right when it comes to the ideal Independent music career. We caught up with Shenna in a quick interview to get the inside scoop on everything "Air Balloons", her debut single which will be releasing on May 7th! It is by nature that she is definitely good at is putting out nothing but excellence. Air ballons is an ear catching tune with underbelly, layered harmonies and vocals that paint a picture of an ideal night out on the town with friends. Yearning for more, the only detailed explantion of the song could only be provided by the creator herself.


A.B.E: What's the concept of your newest track. Explain what's the vision you're trying to paint and what the song means to you.

SHENNA: I wrote Air Balloons with a scene painted in my mind about those perfect nights when everyone is going to the same kick back and it's literally the party of the summer. The weather is great, beer pong on the table, people dancing on and off beat but no one cares because it's so much fun! In Virginia I experienced these type of moments where I look at my friends till this day and say "remember that one night we all went out to that party and literally everyone was there!" ️That party is the scene in "Air Balloons".

A.B.E: What makes this single stand out from your other singles?

SHENNA: I believe this single stands out from my previous ones because of my approach. I wanted to really showcase my Indie-Pop sound and show both the light parts of my voice and my personal style.

A.B.E: What's your favorite part (or about) the song?

SHENNA: My favorite part of the song is honestly when I say "when it goes down" 3 times before the chorus starts (laughs) it was a lot of fun to record vocally and I had a great time experimenting with my voice on this song!

A.B.E: Who worked on the production of the song with you?

SHENNA: I was so excited to work with Austin Bello from the band Forever The Sickest Kids again on this track! I told him I wanted something catchy for everyone to sing along to!

A.B.E: What are you currently working on improving within your music?

SHENNA: I am working on showcasing my signature sound on each song!

A.B.E: Any exciting things coming out within this year?

SHENNA: I'm super excited to say that my second project will release this summer!

A.B.E: Any shoutouts and/or thank you's?

SHENNA: I would love to thank Tay Steward, Austin Bello, my mom for always supporting, my band for always supporting me through out my recording process , and of course my family and friends for listening and always being supportive! - Tay Stewardt

Indie-Pop singer coming out of VA, SHENNA releases a new track titled, “Air Balloons. Working on her sophomore EP, SHENNA delivers a high flying track about an epic summer night to remember with friends and having no regrets to what is to unfold. - Why Cause I Can

This is EXACTLY what I’ve been talking about! Let me rewind, I recently expressed my frustrated stance on the Taylor Swift movement, and that the women of pop music need to step up their game and show the world that pop music does not have to be the mediocracy that is fed to us through media. SHENNA is on point! Songwriter, Producer, Artist from Woodbridge, VA. THIS is what women of pop are capable of.

SHENNA’s latest release “Air Balloons” is catchy, melodic, and fun. Everything a pop song should be, but with soul and a signature stamp that shows SHENNA has staying power in pop. Authenticity goes a long way and it flows through the notes of “Air Balloons”.
Vocals intros are always my favorite. I like to be brought in immediately with a lyric, and this track does so nicely, following the melody of the chorus, but with a story to paint the picture of the atmosphere of this song:

“Lights and a backyard table. Torn jeans and a quarter inch cable, we point our speakers to the moon. Blankets that we’re laying on roof tops, taking shots to the parking lot. We’ll fly away like air balloons.” -SHENNA

Its very well phrased, and flows nicely into a groovy, rhythmic verse melody and keeps us swaying and singing along throughout the end of the song. It outros with a short, sweet and perfect vocal note. I definitely wanted to hear more from this indie pop super talent. - Glitter Rose

Meet multitalented, indie pop vocalist SHENNA! We’re loving her latest single, “Air Balloons” (we think you will too) so we asked the Virginia native all about travel, fashion icons, her vinyl collection, and more. Stream the track below and read on to learn more about the singer/songwriter on the rise. We hear you like to travel. What are some of your favorite cities to visit?
I absolutely love to travel because I learn so much through every experience! My favorite cities so far have to be Seoul, Atlanta, and of course NYC because of the fashion and music scenes in these places. I love to stay busy and these three cities have a great night life and are amazing for creative individuals!
Are you a night owl or a morning person? When do you feel at your most creative?
It feels like I honestly never sleep! I try to make the most our of my day but definitely feel the most creative at night after witnessing something in the day that sparked my interest. I love writing lyrics and making music about events I have experienced!
Who did you listen to growing up? What are you listening to now?
Growing up, I collected vinyl records from vintage shops and listened to a lot of Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey records and also listened to popular girl groups and picture myself as a member of The Spice Girls and Destiny’s Child [laughs]. Currently I listen to a variety of music from Ariana Grande to Amy Winehouse. Both the mainstream pop music and unique indie sounds influence my current sound and style. You started performing at a young age. Has it felt like you’ve been working nonstop on your music since then?
I honestly cannot remember [a time in] my life without music. It definitely feels like I have been working nonstop on my music since I was a child. Choosing to be a musician is challenging but I wouldn’t have it any other way because I have met so many great people and built endless memories. I always tell myself as long as I’m progressing everyday as both a musician and a person I’m happy.
What’s the most gratifying thing about pursuing a career in music?
Making a difference in other peoples lives, especially our youth. The other day a kid at my mom’s school wrote me a letter and said “When I grow up, I want to be a singer just like you. I can’t wait to meet you.” Knowing I can influence a child to follow her dreams is an awesome feeling.
What’s something that you hope to learn within the next year?
I hope to learn how to skateboard and roller blade! People automatically look at me and think it goes with my vibe and style but my coordination says other wise! I really want to shoot a music video to one of my unreleased songs on a skateboard and actually do a few tricks. Definitely going to make sure I learn how to do this ASAP!
How would you define your wardrobe?
I would define my wardrobe as spunky, cute, and approachable. Being an artist I feel like it is important to express yourself in every way possible, especially through your wardrobe! I always dress how I feel and look at my outfits as a costume every time I perform on stage! My personality is spunky so I like to wear cool accessories, hats, and knee highs to showcase that. I love to wear skirts and crop tops that show I’m still girly and like cute tops and prints. At the end of the day I always make sure I’m comfortable with what I’m wearing before leaving the house and that it fits with the vibe of where I am going that day!
Who is your biggest fashion inspiration?
My biggest fashion inspiration would have to be Rihanna! I love that she can go from wearing something super edgy all over the tabloids to a sporty outfit, but arrive at a red carpet event in a classy dress! Even though she is a brand, she does an amazing job showcasing all parts of her personality and I believe that is what fashion is all about! - American Rag

"Indie-pop singer-songwriter, SHENNA, has released her debut album, ‘Made of Gold’; it features production from producer, bassist and singer of Forever The Sickest Kids, Austin Bello. SHENNA’s ‘Made of Gold’ features 10 pop eccentric tracks with SHENNA’s vocals featuring prominently over all the other instruments involved.
The tracks on the album 'So-Low’ and ‘Air Balloons’, were released prior to the album with their own music videos, most notably So-Low. While all songs are pop-heavy, they do have signs on R&B, electronic, and a little bit of gospel with the large atmospheric tones of “Stomp.”
In fact, you can check out “So-Low” for yourself below as a video is out for it right now.
Another song on the album I really enjoyed was “Charlie Shut Up!”, it is fast, and upbeat, and it sounds like a song I could hear being played on the radio often. It is definitely one of the tracks I am going to play on a future episode of Eat This Music! I also got that feeling from “You Can’t Sit With Us”. At first I thought it was going to be a slow song because of the slow paced build up to SHENNA’s vocals, but it fooled me and turned out to be a fantastic quick track with a solid message.
I also found that I was really enjoyed the guitar skills and slowness of SHENNA’s vocals and percussion work throughout the final two tracks of the album in “Echo” and the final track of the album “Take Your Time”, it was a nice change from the other eight pop-heavy tracks on SHENNA’s debut album.
I guess you could say SHENNA has a busy 2017 coming and a fantastic career lined up for herself to let her talents shine through and show the world what SHENNA has to offer.
SHENNA’s debut album ‘Made of Gold’ is now available via all good digital and physical retailers." - Eat This Music (Australian Blog) - Steven

We met Shenna a few years ago at a photoshoot in Brooklyn. Since meeting her we have seen a crazy amount of progress. New songs, videos, press galore and performances everywhere. She has played the last 2 years at our FemaleCentric Festival always impressing the crowd.

She just dropped her new album 'Made of Gold' and the StereotypeFam had to bump it in our offices. I have been really interested in hearing the album. After finally giving it a spin I must say it's impressive and inspiring. It's not all uptempo dance tracks. It is one good vibe with many mixed emotions.

I had a chance to sit down with Shenna a few days after the album dropped to get more insight into the project. She shared Golden Advice for dreamers, talked about her dream collabs as well as spoke about the times she was stereotyped and a time she broke a stereotype. Check out our interview below with Shenna and make sure to support that new album.

Why did you make this album ?

I started working on "Made Of Gold" shortly after I released my EP "Dream In Color". I wanted to express every emotion I felt during this creative process. I didn't want to be afraid or put in a box! I just wanted to create a piece that I felt described my personality and that others would be able to relate to.

What inspired you to create Made of Gold?

I was inspired to make this album honestly by everyday things that were happening in my life and people watching. I wanted to create an album that no matter what your going through in life or where you come from, theirs at least one song you can relate to on the project!

What are your favorite tones of gold?

I really love metallic colors! I love metallic gold it is so bold and stands out among the rest in my opinion.

When did you know you wanted to make music?

As generic as this answer may sound honestly, their is not a time in my life that music wasn't there. Music has shaped my whole life and I have an ope ear for every genre and even love international music such as K-Pop & Arabic Music!

How did you come up with the title for the album?

I came up with the title because gold is the highest level medal in the olympics and I believe we all have our own individual strengths in life that we should be proud of! We are so hard on ourselves and live in a world of comparing ourselves to the people we may look up to or what society defines as "cool" and "beautiful". Everyone is unique and special in their own way and I honestly just want people to realize that.

Who helped make this album possible? Writers, Producers, Muses, Support System, Etc

Honestly my producer Austin and I collaborated on the project creating wise! My bandmates have been there since day one preparing the live performance of the new material and my dancers! It has truly been a great experience!

What is your favorite track? Why?

I would say my favorite track actually grew on me. I truly love "Charlie Shut Up!" because I get to be so free! I also love "Echo" because it is one of the most intimate songs on my project. I get to showcase my vocals and interact
What is your dream now that you just accomplished this dream?

My dream is to go on tour and start a merchandise line! I truly love fashion and want to travel the world!

Have you ever been Stereotype'd? Tell us more

I have definitely been stereotype'd but I know as humans we tend to just people alot of times without knowing them. It is definitely

Have you ever broken a Stereotype someone had of you? Tell us about it.

Yes! A lot of times people stereotype me because of my red hair and my vibe that I smoke and "turn up" a lot but honestly I don't really do either! Don't get me wrong I love to have fun but I invest all my money on music and food (haha)

What would be your dream collaboration?

I would love to collab with Calvin Harris production wise his beats are so hot! Sia for songwriting everything she writes is basically gold on paper. Definitely the Queen Beyonce. Also Rihanna and Corinne Bailey Rae!

Can you share some golden advice for a young people with a dream to create and perform around the country like yourself?

All I have to say is the skies the limit seriously! Don't ever give up we all have times where it may be a slower period but keep going and stay focused on you! Don't let anyone stop you and remember you are golden!





LISTEN & SUPPORT

-Include link to album on spotify/soundcloud - Dave Noodlez