Interview: In the Studio

Interview with Shara Strand – Billboard Artist

Interview with Shara Strand – Billboard Artist

1. What was the inspiration behind BORN TONIGHT?

I’ve wanted to release my debut EP for as long as I can remember, and the songs on BORN TONIGHT all come from a very real place. They are songs that I have written or fell in love with in my journey as an artist thus far. I wanted to release music with a real message, from a real place. Not everything is perfect all the time and not everything is at the time you wish it would happen. BORN TONIGHT is based on a very real journey, my own.

2. What is the main message in the EP?

Main message of the EP is that every moment of your life is another chance to turn it all around. There are lessons to be learned from the pain, and that the pain makes you stronger in the end.

3. What is the significance of the title, BORN TONIGHT?

I sing the line “You act like you were just Born Tonight” in Seven Year Ache. I loved that in this sentence, the lyrics means that the man she is speaking of is acting on foolish impulse. Those impulses are messing with the relationship.

In other cases on the EP, the songs I sing speak of heartbreak, being a survivor, and mainly growing into the person I am today. When experiencing any firsts in my life, I feel like I am being born. This will be my first time releasing an EP, and the debut makes me feel like I was just Born Tonight.

Everyone has a chance to turn it all around. And be Born Tonight.

4. What will be the first release off the EP? Why have you chosen this song?

This is TBD (with D1), but they are thinking an upbeat song like “Seven year Ache” or an original “Not Gonna Miss You”. Each one represents me completely. With “Sever Year Ache”, it’s a pop song in its purest with a great message. Once you get comfortable with something or someone, your mind can start straying away to find the bigger and better. It’s a song with a great message and a great melody that vocally, I feel like I can really nail.

I was very much involved with the writing process in “Not Gonna Miss You” and it came from a very real place. I had just ended a business relationship that I felt was cruel and a bit abusive. I was strung along for years. “Not Gonna Miss You” was definitely written from a place of joy! Finally, I was turning the situation around and starting in a very positive place again.

5. What does BORN TONIGHT tell us about Shara?

It tells us that Shara has a winning spirit, through all the turmoil and craziness that I’ve experienced. I’m a fighter and I’m a survivor. There is no stopping what Shara can conquer.

Have you experienced relationships with Jekyll and Hydes? What did you learn from them? What’s your advice to someone who might be in a Jekyll and Hyde relationship?

I have experienced two specific Jekyll and Hyde relationships. I learned that getting 50 percent of the love I want is just not enough. The love of my life will give me 100%. My advice to someone who may be in the relationship is if you don’t feel good about it inside and often, get out sooner than later. It’s always painful, but staying in a relationship that is wrong for you, makes it worse. There is someone PERFECT out there for you and you are wasting your time with someone who doesn’t give 100 percent.

6. Your music is very introspective. What are you searching for?

I am on search for the truth. Always. In each experience I go through, I learn a specific lesson that brings me closer to the truth of the world 🙂

7. Have you been lucky or unlucky in love?

I would say lucky in love. Even in those unlucky relationships, I have found out who I did not want to be with.

8. What do you do right in relationships? What do you do wrong? Do you wear your heart on your sleeve?

I do wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m completely myself, who is sometimes a perfectionist and drama queen (my wrongs!) I get way dramatic over little things sometimes. On the plus side, I give all the love I have to the person I’m with. They are the most special and important person in the world and I would do anything to see us happy.

9. How do you define your sound?

I would say my sound is individually me. But, to be more specific a soulful pop sound. People have heard a bit soul, a bit country, a bit hip hop, a bit folk in some of the records I’ve done. The most important to me is to release timeless records. I want my EP to stand the test of time. I want to be relevant is many, many years to come.

10. What artists have inspired you in your career?

Barbara Streisand is my idol! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her. She is so dead on with all of her recordings. I grew up listening to Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Indigo Girls, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Tori Amos, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone. I have been inspired by storytellers with HUGE voices..

11. Why did you decide to remake Seven Year Ache?

I feel like it is a timeless record. It had a real meaning a relevance for many many relationships, and it has not been covered in a modern sound thus far. It has stayed in a country audience, and I feel like it is a much bigger story.

12. You were raised in New Jersey but yet you are adamant that you not a Jersey girl. Why is that?

In NJ, I felt like I was always missing something. The creativity wasn’t there for me. I always felt like a fish out of water. The moment I came to NYC, I felt ALIVE and energized. I am definitely a city girl. I love being around all different cultures and people from all walks of life. Everyone has a different story, which I LOVE hearing about

13. How has your family reacted to your EP? Are they supportive of your music career?

My parents have also been incredibly supportive of my music career and could not be more thrilled to see me living my dream. They are absolutely dream parents, and have given me every opportunity to thrive. I will never stop beaming about my parents, they are amazing! I was the only artist in a family full of teachers and accountants, and my parents supported my dream since day one.

14. How did you begin your relationship with D1 Music? Why are they the best label to release BORN TONIGHT?

D1 is my music family. I really have felt from our first meeting that they understood exactly who I was and what is unique about me. I couldn’t imagine a better relationship. It is supportive, positive, and thriving. We always have great communication.

15. Who are some of the remixers that will be featured on the maxi single of your first single release?

Peter, President of D1 Music, would know better than me 🙂

16. It used to be that MTV ruled the music video. but now YouTube seems to be the place most people go to view videos. Has YouTube Saved the Video Star?

I love the fact that You Tube has given a voice to independent artists. The online world (I-tunes, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube) has definitely been a huge force in promoting every artist. There is no limit to what anyone could do or put out.

17. What would fans be most surprised to learn about you?

They would be surprised to know that I am also a professional makeup artist, with my own makeup studio in NYC. It is another creative outlet for me, and it is thriving. One day soon, I hope to release my makeup line! (after the EP and albums are very successful!)

18. Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself touring the world with my music, with great friends and family to support my dream around me. I see myself with a Grammy or two, and lots of amazing life experiences. I see a very happy Shara.