Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with C.SHIROCK

Singer-songwriter Chuck Shirock is no stranger to the limelight. As the frontman of SHIROCK, he’s performed on stage after stage to thousands of people, partnered with global brands across the world, and had his music placed in acclaimed television programs, films, and commercials. But as he approaches an exciting new chapter in his career, he’ll be doing it on his own.

Under the moniker C.SHIROCK, Chuck is taking all that he’s experienced and learned and channeling it into his highly anticipated solo project, which features the timely new single “All We Have Is This Moment.” Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Chuck about his latest endeavor.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
C.SHIROCK: I grew up in a music family. I’m the oldest of four, and my mom had all of us playing piano by the time we were four or five! Pretty soon after, I started to take piano lessons. I remember writing. I would sit for hours creating my own songs. I fell in love with singing when I was about thirteen or fourteen. Since then, I never wanted to do anything else.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
C.SHIROCK: My dad. I remember when I was young, I used to belt out songs I loved or songs I was writing in the shower! My dad would periodically record them and threaten to release them someday! I remember driving to school with him one day and he was talking to me about what I wanted to do: music. I remember so clearly, he told me, “You’re not as naturally talented as some of the great singers. But if you work harder, you could be better.” It was some version of that, and it’s stuck with me almost every day. Talent can only take you so far. Sometimes I’ve used my talent as a crutch and haven’t worked as hard as I should. But this idea of putting in the work—even with something like art or music—is often overlooked. The greats hone their craft; they work at it as if they were an athlete. It’s something I’ll never forget.

PC: How has your experience with SHIROCK prepared you for this next chapter in your career?
C.SHIROCK: SHIROCK was my previous band and project. It prepared me for all of this. When I started SHIROCK, I had no idea what I was doing. I just loved making music, singing, and performing. It was a learn-as-you-go situation, and there were a lot of incredibly beautiful times and also the hardest times I’ve ever had in my life.

I learned how to perform, record, write songs, collaborate, communicate—all of it in the context of that band and project. I like to think I’ve come out of it and into this new chapter much more self-aware of my strengths and shortcomings: a better leader, a stronger creative, a more refined artist with a clearer vision. I will always view my time with SHIROCK as the beginning of my journey as an artist, and I can’t wait to see all of the coming chapters come to life!

PC: You have a new single out. Tell us about “All We Have Is This Moment” and the inspiration behind the song.
C.SHIROCK: “All We Have Is This Moment” is the fifth single released from my upcoming album, out later this year. The song was planned to be released before this pandemic began, but it couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.

It’s a song about being present—living in the moment. I have always struggled with this. I am so goal-oriented and future-focused that I have a tendency to miss life as it’s happening. The song was originally written thinking about that and almost as a reminder to myself to stay present.

Today, the song comes at a time when there is so much uncertainty and so much fear. Nobody knows what is going to happen next and how life might look different on the other side of this. All we have is today. We have no promise of tomorrow, but we have this very moment. There is something so freeing about that idea to me. It was partly inspired by a book called On the Shortness of Life by a philosopher named Seneca. It was written over two thousand years ago, but it couldn’t be more true than it is today.

PC: Of all the singles you’ve released thus far as a solo act, if you had to pick one that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
C.SHIROCK: This is a great question and a hard one. I think my favorite song I’ve ever written might be “Stand with Me Tonight.” The song was released last year, and there is a beautiful simplicity to it. I remember writing it and laboring over the lyrics. I take a lot of time with my words and sometimes overthink them. With “Stand with Me Tonight,” there is a simple honesty and vulnerability in those words that continues to feel heartfelt and true every time I sing them. I love that song. It has a special place for me.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you? Can we expect more singles?
C.SHIROCK: Yes! I am releasing almost every song from my forthcoming album as a single before the album comes out later this year. I’m planning on doing at least one or two more music videos. I’ve released three so far. Check those out on my website or YouTube! The album will be out late 2020, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to include some live performances around the release. I’m already writing and thinking about the next album, so I hope the rest of this year will include a lot of writing, recording, releasing, possibly a poetry book, some live shows.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
C.SHIROCK: Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, or Cyndi Lauper. I love great pop music. I’m constantly finding inspiration in pop music.

PC: First album you bought?
C.SHIROCK: Green Day’s Dookie

PC: First concert you attended?
C.SHIROCK: Wow, I can’t remember! I remember going to my first arena concerts though, and I remember the feeling of watching those performers on stage. I knew then I wanted to perform.

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
C.SHIROCK: Peter Gabriel’s So. It was one of the first times I heard something that sounded like the marriage of art, music, poetry, complexity in textures and sound. It opened my mind up to what is possible in pop music.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
C.SHIROCK: The Palace in Detroit. It’s closed now, but it was the arena in Detroit. I remember in seventh grade, I bet another kid a hundred dollars that I would play there someday. I don’t want to lose that bet!

PC: A must-have on the road?
C.SHIROCK: Good food and snacks! Being on the road can be amazing, but it can also leave you feeling homesick. When I’m touring, I love finding out about great local restaurants and coffee shops. It helps to make it feel like an adventure and gives you little moments between instead of just jumping from one venue to the next.

To keep up with C.SHIROCK, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify.