The holiday with Shenna,
Interview conducted December 18, 2019
by Dan Locke
Shenna is an Indie-R&b/Pop singer, songwriter, actress, and model from Woodbridge, VA who released her first major project, entitled “Dream In Color” on May 20, 2014 and her album “Made Of Gold” on Oct 17, 2016. She has performed in front of thousands of people across the United States, Canada, and UK at places such as Central Park, The Highline Ballroom, and The Virgin Mobile Mod Club to name a few. Her music has been synced on shows such as “The Bad Girls Club” on Oxygen, “Finding Carter” and “Teen Mom Og”, on MTV, and Netflix original film “Miss Steve
Dan Locke: Who were your influences?
Shenna: My influences as far as musicians go is Corinne Bailey Rae, Bruno Mars, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and Sia.
Do you play any instruments?
I am currently taking guitar lessons so I can play live and also to write my lyrics on guitar. I also play a little keys!
You did your first showcase at the age of 7. Can you tell me about that day?
Yes! I entered a talent show at school singing with one of my childhood friends. Our choir teacher was in shock at how serious we took it and how we sounded!
How did you get started in the music business?
I started singing at a very young age but always had a sense of the business side of things and how to promote myself as an artist. I knew my goal was much different coming from a smaller town and I wanted the world to know my lyrics not just playing at the coffee houses and open mics. I knew that I needed to network and would attend monthly mixers or post ads online for instrumentalists etc.
Why do you use Shenna as your stage name?
My real name is Shenna and pronounced “Shay-nuh”. I always discussed changing the spelling or even changing my stage name to be pronounced “Shin-nuh” or “Shee-nuh” but decided that my name is who I am even if it is spelled incorrectly!
I watched the video you did 8 years ago. “Breathless” I enjoyed it. Very simple. Did anything ever happen with that tune?
Thank you! That video is really funny to me because my friend was known for being amazing at visual graphics and wanted to build his portfolio. I let him direct and edit the entire video and did not even see it until it was released on my birthday! I was a little kid then and was so excited.
You went to Howard University. How was that?
Yes! I went to Howard for 2 years and met a lot of creatives and even joined a Music Fraternity! I left after 2 years due to wanting to pursue my music career immediately in New York.
I see you took some classes at Berklee Online. For Music Business and Production. Would you suggest that more artists take online classes dealing with music?
Yes! It is a great way to meet people overseas and around the world in general in the industry! I even had my first radio play in Poland!
How was your unplugged opportunity with IHeart Radio?
I loved every second of it! The staff was so great and my friends and I had a great time performing unplugged renditions of my latest Ep “Blue Memories”
CeeLo Green or Kanye West
How about CeeLo Green vocals over a Kanye West production!
You just release your original Christmas tune “For The Holidays” How did that come to be?
Every year I want to create covers of Christmas tunes but never get around to doing all of them I want to. I thought what if I create my own holiday tune that can be rebranded each year! I just had to do it!
How do you see yourself in 3 years?
I see myself touring on my headlining tour in the States as well as over in the UK!
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