Shanya earning her stripes with debut single Here For You: Interview

Fresh on the scene, Shanya is an 18-year-old South African singer songwriter, whose debut single ‘Here For You’ will remain a prominent marker for these uncertain times.

With live music taking a big knock since the corona virus outbreak, many artists’ careers have come to a halt. For others, the pandemic has inspired them to write new music.

One artist to channel their energy into something positive is Shanya.

Impulse Africa Magazine Team recently caught up with the rising singer from Bela-Bela following the release of her single Here For You.

• Briefly tell us about yourself?

I am Shanya, I am 18 years old and live in a small town called Warmbad/Bela – Bela in Limpopo. Singing is my passion but I also enjoy Modeling as well as Dancing.

I have been singing since the age of seven at Encore Studio with the brilliant coach, Marga Roos.

I am a very shy person off stage but onstage I am confident. I am an adventurous spirit and love doing fun things such as paragliding, zip lining, skydiving and I would love to go bungee-jump one day.

I believe in originality and that you are being the best version of yourself when you’re not trying to be like someone else.

My motto in life is that you do not have to change your spots to match someone else’s stripes.

• How would you describe your music sound/genre?

My debut single ‘Here For You’ is a pop song but I enjoy many different genres of music. I enjoy listening to Latin, House, Pop; even Afrikaans, and so the list goes on.

I enjoy singing soft and slow songs that are powerful at the same time.

• How was the process of making your debut single Here For You?

The process started when my current boyfriend moved to Cape Town. I am a person who sings about my feelings and at that moment I was emotional and couldn’t find a song that described what I felt.

I started singing what I felt and in doing so it got stuck in my head. I started adding verses to the chorus that got stuck in my head, together with some guidance from the amazing artist and my producer Gino Lee.

My parents drove me all the way down to Port Elizabeth to record my song with River Roads Records. We were in studio, recording for two days.

It was an amazing experience for me to actually be singing my own song and making my first debut single.

Making the music video was possibly the most fun I had. I got to spend it with friends and family and made a new friend.

• Where do you draw inspiration from as a creator?

I draw inspiration from emotions and real things that are happening in my life. I am also inspired by artists such as Arianna Grande, who has amazing control over her voice, and Demi Lovato, whose songs speak a lot of truth.

I hope to someday have that but in my own original why.

• What inspired Here For You?

My current situation where, due to Covid, my relationship status changed into a long distant relationship, and I didn’t have a song to describe my feelings.

• Tell us more about your move to New York Film Academy, how did it come about and why choose them?

I had first taken part at in the International ARTS Talent Showcase (IATS), where I sang and modelled in front of international talent agents such as Joey Zangardi-Dixon, Joey Hunter and Nate Butler.

My Agency then helped me to secure an audition for a bursary for NYFA. I chose to study musical theater at NYFA because in my Grade 11 year at school, I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do and what my path should be.

I prayed for a sign and that’s when I was told about the opportunity. I wanted to study musical theater because it looked like so much fun and looked like something that I could really enjoy doing because I love to sing and dance.

• How did you decide you wanted music as your chosen career?

I didn’t really choose it. It chose me! So many people have amazing talent and let it go to waste out of fear.

The feeling singing gives me is indescribable, it makes me feel like a different person, the person I hope to be in the future.

• 2020 was a year like none of us have ever experienced. How did the pandemic change you or influence your decisions going forward?

When the pandemic first started was when I had written ‘Here For You’. Many people during the pandemic took to social media to share their talent. I was too afraid to do so, until I went for a workshop with international superstar, Nate Butler.

I asked him: “What do you do when you’re too afraid to use your gift and make music?” He was shocked as he had never met someone who could sing but was too afraid to.

Seeing his expression made me realize that I need to start getting over my fears. During this pandemic I have grown mentally, emotionally and as an artist.

• Except for your move to New York, what else can we expect from you this year?

This year you could expect another single coming from me, it will be different compared to my first.

What will it be called, I don’t know yet?

• What is your dream with music?

My dream with music is to make music that can resemble with others and give people goosebumps when I sing.

Someday I hope to become well known for my music and to grow my career and network with other artists.

• What are you most grateful for right now?

I am grateful for my family and friends’ support. I am also grateful that I have such amazing people who are so motivating me.

Mostly, I am grateful for God’s guidance in bringing me to this moment and helping me overcome my fears and finally put myself out there.