Shalyah Even If You Loss on The Voice You Still Win
By Dan Locke
Shalyah Fearing is young and gifted young woman who has gained a lot of exposure from her “Voice” journey. Few contenders have ever had the opportunity to work with three of the four superstar of any singer contest televison show. The “Voice” journey she had the chance to work with Christina and Pharrell before being snapped up by Adam Levine. With her commitment to her craft, she will only become a better singer with age.
Shalyah Fearing
Unratedmagazine: Tell me about your background. How did you get interested in Music?
Shalyah Fearing: I started singing when I was about 5 years old. My dad used to have me sit in his lap and sing with him in the studio.
How did your family help you get interested in music?
My father’s love and enjoyment for music inspired me to pursue it as well!
At 12, you received a full scholarship to the Performing Arts Center in Tampa, Has this help you with your career?
Yes it has! The Straz Performing Arts Center is a huge part of the success in my career and I will always be thankful to them.
How did you get your name?
My dad wanted to make it powerful, and so he took my name from a Hebrew language and named me Shalyah Fearing. This means “Of GOD.”
What type of music did you grow up with? Plus give me some of the artist?
My dad is a reggae artist and my mother and my grandmother’s family is from Barbados, so I grew up listening to reggae, roots, calypso, and soca music. My grandmother also introduced me to classic artists such as Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Ottis Redding, Tracy Chapman, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Bobby Womack, and Ray Charles…etc. There are so many classic artists that I can name thanks to my nana.
What are some of the some of the bands which Influences your music?
I love the Alabama Shakes, Kodaline, Imagine Dragons, Paramore, Maroon 5, Hoobastank, Snow Patrol…etc.
Did you play any other instruments while growing up?
I started playing piano around the age of 10. Watching Alicia Keys sing and play piano inspired me to strive in doing the same thing.
How were you discovered for the 2016 series of The Voice?”
I started from scratch and went for and open call audition in Atlanta Georgia. The line was so long it wrapped around the building! Overall, 40,000 people had audition for the show as well, and I had been part of a handful of people chosen to audition live on the show.
Shalyah Fearing
How was it being on Team Adam?”
Christina was the first person to turn her chair and give me a chance on the show. So I love her for that! Pharrell stole me later on in the Knockout rounds, and Adam took me all the way to Lives. I have respect for all of the coaches I got to work with on the show, including Blake. However, being on Adam’s team was just as beneficial as being on Christina’s and Pharrell’s.
In your our words how would you describe the process being on the voice?
The process of being on The Voice was definitely hectic but in a good way. Being on the show taught me time management for sure. I had to juggle school, band rehearsals, group songs, blocking rehearsals, hair and makeup, interviews, red carpet, and of course vocal lessons all in just 6 days! The show plays a huge part of my organization today lol.
Even those you did not win, it seems that the singer have a better chance to be a success then the winner? How long the contract with the voice is after the show is done?
Contract: I love the show and the support they give all of their artists. I think that you can be successful whether you win or not. It just depends on how hard you’re willing to work for it. I’m not sure about the contract because only the winners receive one.
How did Grammy Nominated production team Katalyst (Ken Lewis and Brent Kolatole) find you?
Team Katalyst ( Ken Lewis Brent Kolatole) found me through the show.
You are a great speaker to uplift the crowd. I think you be good on TED Talk?
Ted ex: Yes I would love to do a TED Talk! I wanna share as much as I can to help people become successful in life. I remember the time when I did the Great American Teaching at Crews Lake Middle School, and a week later after speaking with the children, I received “Thank You” letters showing they’re appreciation. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that touched my heart. They listened to my words and quoted a specific saying of mine, “chase after your dreams because you just might catch one!” I am able to speak and uplift others because I want them to understand that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and put in the work to get there!
What can you tell me about your new record what is it going to be like?
My new record is a soul pop EP based on real life situations.
Tell me something about your new book also?
A few years ago I wrote a children’s book named Tall Paul. The book is about a huge lonely giant looking for friends and family to mend the hole in his heart, and eventually he finds what he is looking for. Writing is just another thing I enjoy doing!
Any plans to tour?
Yes! Once my EP gets out, I would love to do a tour.
What is you’re feeling about Vinyl?
LOL I’ve never seen a record a day in my life!
Who would you like to open up for you? Being alive or dead.
I would love to open for Patti Label, Pharrell, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, V. Bozeman, Adele, Bruno Mars, Arianna Grande, Demi Lovato, and Ed Sheeran….etc.
Shalyah Fearing
What is the biggest crowd you have play for?
My Orange Bowl performance. There was 80,000 people!
What direction do you see your music heading in the next 2 years and your long term goals of your music?
In 2 years I can see my music being pulled from all different types of genres! My team and I will always strive to make my music even better and unique!
What music fests would you like to play in?
Heart Radio, Unifest, SXSW, Summer Jam, Coachella, FYF Fest…etc.
Have you looked into SXSW?
SXSW: Yes! I love the whole idea of it and I would love to participate and take part in that event!
What is on you cell phone right now?
If we are talking about music then Kanye West, Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, Arianna Grande, Shayla Fearing ;-),
Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?
I love to listen to Japanese music from some of my favorite anime shows like, Orange, Your Lie In April, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, My Hero Academia, Sword Art Online, Seven Deadly Sins, and Fullmetal Alchemist. Gosh there are so many! The music from these shows….amazing! It has such a unique sound. If I ever need inspiration for writing, I’ll listen to it. I don’t really feel guilty about this though lol!
If you could pick any cartoon character who would it be and why?
If I were to pick a cartoon character it would have to be Mulan! The confidence and faith she has in herself is what I strive to get better at every day.
What music do you listens to relax?
I LOOOOVE listening to instrumental music to relax. It just puts me in a different place when I hear the beauty in a cello, violin, piano, or guitar. Here are some of my favorite instrumentals: At Our Parting, Sadness and sorrow, Guren, Nightfall, Watashi, No Uso, and River Flows In You by Yiruma. Those are just a few.
Anything you like to close with?
I have never opened up for any bands…yet.
Thank you for you interview.
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