Pop Culturalist Chats with Shayna Leigh

Shayna Leigh is an incredible singer-songwriter who has taken the music world by storm. She just released her first full-length album, Drive. And, we’ve had it on repeat. We were lucky enough to chat with this rising talent.

PC: How did it feel to release your first full-length album? What was it like working with Michael Mangini and Peter Zizzo?
Shayna: Releasing my first album was AMAZING! Prior to this, I had actually written and recorded basically two other full-length albums that I decided not to release for various reasons—the most important being that I didn’t feel like the songs were telling the stories I wanted to tell—so after years of work, it was beyond rewarding to finally release something I am really proud of. I very much credit Michael Mangini and Peter Zizzo for helping me find a way to tell my stories and crystallize my sound. I think one of the biggest challenges young artists face these days is figuring out who they are and how they fit in the musical landscape. With Mike and Peter, I found two people who could help me do this, who understand who I am as a person and an artist and who have been invaluable guides and collaborators and friends along the way!

PC: Each track on the album tells a different story. What is your songwriting process like? Where do you draw inspiration?
Shayna: I primarily do co-writes, which means that I usually write my songs with other musicians and songwriters. I absolutely love the process. I love how that when you put multiple people in a room, you come out with a song that is a synthesis of each of your perspectives and interests, something totally different than you would’ve done on your own! I wrote most of the songs from “Drive” with Michael and Peter. The songs were inspired pretty directly from my life. A few of them were actually lifted from my journal (I am an avid journaler!) I like to take my experiences that are obviously very personal to me and find the universality in them and write about that, so that the music is really special to me but also hopefully something that we can all relate to!

PC: Who are some of your musical influences?
Shayna: My musical influences are all over the map! I grew up listening to the Beatles (my dad loves a good melody) and my mom loves a song that tells a story (Carole King, etc.), so I feel like I was raised with a fairly well-rounded sense of musical appreciation. As I started to develop my own musical tastes, I’ve been a little bit all over the map. I had a big Alanis phase, a Queen phase, a Pat Benatar phase (to name a few). I love dynamics in music. I also listen to a lot of current, contemporary pop music. I love Sara Bareilles, Ingirid Michealson, Mumford and Sons, etc. Music is such an important part of my life. I think I am continually discovering and rediscovering old and new artists who have great influence during different periods of my life.

PC: Do you have a favorite song on the album and why?
Shayna: I think the song “Drive” will always be my favorite. It was the first track we wrote, and it was during a very difficult time for me personally and professionally. I felt really stuck in my career and in my life and like I just needed a win! Writing “Drive,” gave me the first real glimpse into who I wanted to be and where I wanted to go as an artist. It was a profoundly exciting and healing moment in my life. I will always be grateful for that song.

PC: If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be?
Shayna: THIS IS THE HARDEST QUESTION FOR ME! I honestly and truly feel like I could enjoy collaborating with most anyone. I do think it would be cool to do something with another strong female. I love when artistic women support each other! Also, I would do absolutely anything that involved Lin-Manuel Miranda (he is the writer and star of Hamilton). I know we’re not specifically in the same industry, but I think he seems like the kindest, most genius and supportive human, and so yeah, I would do anything he ever needed anyone like me for, ever!

PC: If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
Shayna: This is a hard one! All of my dreams right now (and I have lots!) are somehow connected to my having been or being a musician! I would love to find a way to connect young artists—to teach them some of the lessons I’ve had to learn the hard way. I’ve also always wanted to write a book. I don’t know what it’s about yet, but I guess if I wasn’t a musician I would be doing that?!

PC: You just finished touring with Lee DeWyze and Wakey Wakey—what was that experience like? Did they have any advice for you?
Shayna: This tour was just the best! Lee and Wakey Wakey are just the nicest, most talented guys, and they both immediately made me feel welcome and comfortable on the tour! That’s always a win! I actually did have the opportunity to talk to them a bit about their careers and life in the music business, which gave me great perspectives to take forward. It’s also just compelling to watch exceptional performers and songwriters connect with different audiences night after night. You learn a lot. Performing with and talking to both of them truly confirmed something I already believed; life as a musician is really just about being true to yourself, putting your heart in your work, and being grateful to the fans that connect with and support you. That’s what I want my career to be about, and I think that’s what Lee DeWyze and Wakey Wakey represent.

PC: Do you have a favorite place to perform?
Shayna: My favorite place to perform so far is in New York! I guess more than having a favorite venue, I have a favorite city! At this point in my career, I am very often playing shows for people who have either not heard of me or have not yet seen me live. It’s almost like a first date, which is amazing in its own way. I do really love connecting with people for the first time, but when I come home to New York, I play for people who know my music (and a lot of people who know me personally). It really feels like home. Hopefully, one day many cities will feel this way.

PC: What can fans expect next? Maybe a solo tour?
Shayna: Right now I am in the studio working on writing and recording songs for a new EP that we’re planning on releasing sometime in the summer, so that is the most immediate plan! I would love to go on the road. I am definitely looking for touring opportunities and hope to be playing more shows ASAP (performing is my most favorite thing to do…literally) I just want to keep making music and connecting with my fans in any way that I can. This year has been really great for me, so I’m planning on keeping the momentum!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure movie & television show?
Shayna: Center Stage and Clue. (If you haven’t seen it, you must.) Dance Moms is my guiltiest pleasure TV show.

PC: An artist or band that people would be surprised to find on your playlist?
Shayna: I’m not sure what would be surprising…I fancy myself generally unpredictable! Laura Nyro maybe? Sean Paul? Are these surprising?!

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Shayna: Right now, Hamilton (it’s worth the hype!), but the original cast of Rent changed my life. I think it will always be my favorite! (My sister and I just went to an event celebrating the 20th anniversary!)

PC: Favorite book
Shayna: Right now I am telling everyone to go read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Also, Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed.

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Shayna: Twitter! I love talking to fans (who I now affectionately refer to as my Twitter friends). In fact, for the most part, checking in with my Twitter friends brightens almost every day.

Make sure to follow Shayna on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

Purchase your copy of Drive on Amazon or iTunes!

Photo Credit: Joshua Shelton