Rising R&B/Indie-Pop sensation Shenna is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, model, and activist from Woodbridge, Virginia. She has received some heavy airplay in the United States and in several countries around the world including Poland, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Her debut EP, Dream In Color held the number one spot on Bandcamp in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia market for several months. She has over 1 million streams on Spotify and has been able to partner with major brands such as Reebok and Master & Dynamic as a brand ambassador.
Shenna has landed over 10 sync licensing placements through The Music Playground Publishing Company on shows such as The Bad Girls Club, Netflix Miss Stevens, Teen Mom Og, Finding Carter, Disney, and more. Following the big placement of her “Magenta” single on FOX’s hit show Lethal Weapon at the top of this year, Shenna announces the release to her dream pop single “Can’t Get Enough” along with a lyric video which streamed on June 7th on all major platforms. Her LP “Blue Memories” will release this summer which touches on overcoming different stages of depression, following a U.S. and Japan tour.
I got the chance to talk to this rising artist, and talk all things love, life and music;
Hi Shenna how are you? Welcome to OLC! For all our followers out there, tell us a bit about yourself?
Hey everyone and thanks so much OLC for interviewing me! My name is Shenna and I am an Indie-Pop/R&B artist from Virginia living in NYC following my dream!
Who influenced you growing up to gravitate you towards the pop music genre?
To be honest, I was always influenced to follow the R&B genre until I met my producer Austin Bello and he helped me develop my writing and I fell in love with pop music while creating my first songs with him!
How and when did you start songwriting? And do you remember the first song you ever wrote and what inspired it?
Yes! I have been writing since I was in middle school but I was never confident in my ability as I would write like a verse, one chorus, then let the song just sit there. I remember buying an iPad and making a beat on garage band and writing my first full length song. I was so proud of it but someone stole my Ipad before I could actually take the song to the studio and make it something bigger! The first song I remember recording that I wrote was after a break-up and it is called “Stranger” I played three chords on an out of tuned piano and was so proud of myself (laughs).
When it comes to your songwriting, is it important to you to write about your own personal experiences?
Yes it is because I can express the emotion better especially while playing it live. However, I love people watching and listening to others stories and experiences and making my songs a story.
How did your music find it’s way to MTV, Netflix, FOX and other popular TV Networks?
I have been lucky enough to work with 2 great producers and a great sync licensing team that believes in me and my message with my music! The sync team pitches it out to shows and I have been blessed that they have picked it up! It is always an exciting feeling watching a show and hearing your own song!
I read you also model, how did that come about?
Yes! I feel that modeling, singing, and acting all go together. While posting my photos online to promote my music a lot of times I am contacted by photographers who ask me if I would like to collaborate on projects with them. Usually what stands out to them is my curly red hair and quirky fashion. I have had a chance to be interviewed about music and fashion in Macy’s Ragged Mag along with my modeling photos featured so that has been pretty cool!
Let’s talk about your latest single “Can’t Get Enough”, What inspired you to write this track?
Yes! I wanted to create a summer crush type of song that was seductive with a mysterious tone. I wanted it to be somewhat of a tease song of someone who doesn’t know why they are so attracted to someone but they love every single thing they do. That is what inspired the title “Can’t Get Enough”.
I believe it’s taken from your forthcoming LP “Blue Memories”, what can you tell me about that record?
Blue Memories has been a work in the making for awhile! I finished most of the songs a year and change ago and just let the songs sit. I felt some of them were too dark, too honest, but also playful because it is pop music with a darker twist. I decided when this year started that I wanted to release the LP to be honest with my fans that I too suffer from dark stages in my career and life and these songs are how I handle my depression. Sometimes I like to be alone, sometimes a certain someone can pull me out of my dark times and make me feel alive like can’t get enough, and other times I have blue memories that make me remember hard times.
Who helped you write, record and produce the LP?
My LP is recorded and co-written with Austin Bello and Malcolm Fong. Both of these musicians bring elements to my music that nobody else could and I just feel like my story is truly being told while working with them.
Any plans to hit the road? And if so where can people catch you?
Yes! I plan to tour on the East Coast to start by playing Festivals such as All Things Go in DC headlined by Emily Martinez and Chvrches and then I am going to Japan!
What’s next on the agenda for 2019?
My LP, shows, I landed a huge placement that I look forward to announcing soon and merch is finally dropping!
