Interview with Shayna Steele


Q: Please tell me something about yourself and your musical background. Which musicians were and are influential for you?

Shayna Steele: I was born into an Air Force family and lived in several places, Ramstein being my favorite. I lived there for 7 years and it was the time of my life. I then moved to Biloxi, Mississippi with 2 sisters and parents. As far as musical influences, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were probably my favorites.

Q: How would you describe your music to someone who haven't heard of Shayna Steele before?

Shayna Steele: Chaka Khan meets Jill Scott meets Stevie Wonder meets Aretha Franklin.

Q: Please tell me how the six songs of your debut emerge, how they were recorded and how did you meet the musicians involved?

Shayna Steele: I met my musical partner David Cook about 3 years ago; I really vibed with him, loved his style...I gave him every lyric I'd ever written, something like 50 pages, and we started putting music to everything. It started to flow pretty quickly, and "Dying" was one of the first songs we wrote. I started playing live, and from my very first show I landed a production deal in Detroit and went into the studio a few months later. It was from that experience that I decided to make an EP without label backing. I'm impatient...so when I'm ready to work, I just do it; with or without backing. I met the musicians through David. They're friends of his and have now become friends of mine. They are all amazing musicians - I have mad respect for each and every one of them.

Q: Unfortunately your debut album only features six songs. Why hasn't you recorded more songs?

Shayna Steele: Because I didn't feel I was ready to do a full album, and was still getting enough interest from labels that I decided to do something that could be used towards a full album but more professional than a demo. I've got more than enough material now to do a full length album, and I'm looking to make it happen one way or another within the next few months.

Q: When will we hear more songs from you? Are you already working on a sophomore set and if so what will it sound like?

Shayna Steele: I definitely have more songs ready to go. The sound is still fresh, real and live but some of my material is a little edgier and always, always straight up. If you pissed me off or if you loved me right, I probably wrote about you.

Q: Your album was released independently. Is this a decision you've done on purpose to have more control of your creative output or did it just happen because no label was interested so far?

Shayna Steele: I for sure love having the control of what I sound like and what I sing about. The response from fans and industry has surpassed my expectations and that only reminds me time and time again I'm doing the right thing. Therefore, I think being independent will pay off in the long run. I'm not looking to just make a hit song, I'm looking to make good music and have longevity and keep myself and my fans happy...this is the happiest I've ever been...I like being the boss!

Q: Your song High Yella tells the story of a young girl who left home at the age of 17 to be confronted with the everyday racism and who finally moves to New York and has success. How much of yourself and own experiences can be found in this song?

Shayna Steele: Every single word in that song was my experience...is still my experience. My father is black, my mother is white. I didn't think much of it in my time in Germany, but once I moved to the American south I was made to feel like an outcast. For 10 years, I was the only mixed kid I knew...people made me feel like I was from another planet...but instead of hiding from myself and others, I grew from it and learned. I'm stronger because of that experience...now, I couldn't give a shit what people think about me. I love my white and my black and everything in between. I'm blessed.

Q: You live in New York these days. What do you like about the music scene there?

Shayna Steele: It's so raw!! There's so much of it. Every style, every night, in every part of the 5 boroughs: jazz, hip-hop, classical, pop, metal, country, blues, r&b, independent, superstars...it's all here! NYC is the best place to be inspired as a songwriter.

Q: The visitors of jazz-not-jazz (and me) are always open for new artists. Who can you recommend we might not know?

Shayna Steele: You already know about her, but Ledisi is my favorite, and has been such a help to me so far in my own career. She is an unbelievable performer and human being. Also, Sunny Hawkins - she is this amazing gospel/r&b singer/songwriter...and be on the look out for the debut album from my boy Justin Johnston.

For more infos visit shaynasteele.com, cdbaby.com and read my review of Shayna Steele.