Shayna Leigh – Goodbye July

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) You have had an interesting journey from childhood with music.

A) I grew up in Orlando in the boy band era, or the end of it. I was in elementary and middle school during the beginning of it. So, it was a very bizarre thing for me because I never saw myself as an artist that way. As a kid growing up, I would see these beautiful people that could sing and dance and do these incredible riffs that were so sexy. I was like twelve years old and had braces and really frizzy hair. I did write songs a bit, but I think a big part of what led me to pursue drama for a bit before getting back to music was feeling a little bit awkward in the music world around me. Not that I didn’t love it, I just couldn’t see myself in it. So, it took me until I was in my twenties to go back to it and realize I could do it on my own as myself. I realized it was okay that I wasn’t in that trend. I think pop music has become open to more songwriters and I think it is more songwriter driven, which is cool. There is a new place for songwriters, which wasn’t around during the boy band era. So, I took time off and did drama because I felt like that was where I could use my voice. I have always loved acting, but music is the thing for me.

Q) Tell about the influences surrounding your song “Goodbye July.”

A) One of my favorite things to do musically lately is that I have gotten really into the contrast, adding a more organic…This song, to me, has a country feel with a pop feel with some electronic elements. To me, this is sort of the closest to a country song that I will get. Never say never! I’m a pretty big Mumford & Sons fan and I sort of almost think this is my little take on that. Obviously, what they do is so different from me, but this feels like it is somehow inspired by them and then by my own association. I thought it had a pretty cool Mumford-y feel, which is awesome because I’m a pretty big fan and they are some of my favorite people to cover. But what I love about “Goodbye July” is that I cowrote it with my producers and it started with the guitar part. They kind of had this idea for it being a song about the end of a relationship that is kind of a sad song, but putting it in the format of an up-tempo almost happy song. It’s about a breakup, but in a happy way. I love that! I think that it is sort of where the contrast thing comes in. It’s this less happy idea that in a way is happy because, in my opinion, every breakup leads you to the next thing. So, in a way every experience we have is perfect even when it is all messed up. What I love about this song is that it is not necessarily just about romance. I like to write music that is applicable to any relationship so that as many people as possible can relate.

Q) How does the video play into the message behind the song?

A) The video tells this story of a breakup, but what I think it really is the story of is you realizing you’re going to be okay. We’re all going to be okay. We’ll move on to bigger and better and different things, love and experiences. I make these videos with a good friend of mine and we pretty much have done all of my videos together. What I love about her (and maybe it stems from our friendship and our connection) is for whatever reason she knows what the song is about before I explain it to her. She just finds a way to sort of create the story that I wanted to tell, without me telling her what that is. That is one of the most unique and beautiful collaborations I’ve been a part of. The team she assembles is more talented than anyone else I know (including myself). What I think is really cool about the video (besides it being the most fun thing I’ve done in my life) is that the fun we have in the ocean was just us having some extra time. So, what I think is cool is the way we attempted to tell the story is that it is about a breakup so the pictures are sort of the end of the relationship. So, it’s about the breakup, but realizing you are okay after you have grieved. I grieve, but then in the end I realize I am okay and have found ways of expanding and channeling whatever love I have for this guy in so many other things. It’s blossoming in the wake of what could be this sad thing. What is cool about the video is the first half of the song where I’m with this guy we do all different things together (a party, the beach and the park) and then in the end when I re-channel and have grown up I realize I am great and okay. I’m moving on by going to the beach, the park and a party. I think it is a cool idea that there is joy on both sides and no relationship is wasted. On the other side of the sadness is more fun stuff – with a man or without a man – with a girl or without a girl. I think that when we find ourselves heartbroken, there is on the other side of the heartbreak more good stuff.

Q) You recently toured with “American Idol” star Lee Dewyze.

A) I was on tour with Lee and Wakey Wakey and it was amazing! I toured a decent bit and this was probably my favorite. I think a lot of that was because of what I sort of learned along the way, but also I just cannot say enough good things about Lee and Wakey Wakey and their audiences. I just felt really comfortable and really valued. I felt very accepted, comfortable and welcomed. It was very cool to get to see them work every night. They are both incredible solo artists, which is not the easiest thing to see on stage when it is just you.

Q) What did you learn or take away from being a part of the tour?

A) I think I learned a lot about connection with an audience and the different ways you can connect with them. Every time you tour you learn a lot about yourself. You learn a ton about your process, what songs you like more than others, where you fall off, what does well, how to manage your body, stay on top of feeling energized and dealing with the stresses of going from one place to the next. Luckily for me, I felt mostly pretty good about it. It was fun and the audiences were great. I was super comfortable. So, I guess what I learned was that I was getting a little better, which is nice. Also, we did this tour because it was an acoustic smaller tour so it was just me and a guitar player. I feel a lot of freedom in that setup to play and experiment, but also stick to what arrangements you have made for your songs. It’s a very intimate environment in which you can really connect with an audience, which is my most favorite thing to do.

Q) How did you connect with your audience?

A) I’m a pretty chatty performer. I don’t know if you can tell. [laughs] There are some artists that don’t like talking to the audience, but I love talking to them. So, that’s usually my first go-to in order to engage. What I try to do (and this is not a science) is go with the vibe of the room. Sometimes they want to listen quietly. Sometimes they want to interact. So, I’m obviously open to whatever seems to suit the mood and venue. I’ve found the worst thing you can do is force it. I try to be really genuine. Obviously, when you are on stage there is a bit of an adrenaline thing so I am maybe a bit more energetic than when I am at home sitting on my couch watching TV in my underwear. I try to not to force it and try to feed off the mood of the room I am in. The goal with something creative is to do your best to stay in the moment and whatever is happening to just go with it. That’s the best part of being on stage. You know what is going to happen because you rehearsed and practiced, but you don’t really know what is going to happen. All bets are off and it is a little bit like freefalling so I think that’s why a lot of us are addicted to in a way.

Q) What are some of your guilty pleasure TV programs?

A) I am a “Walking Dead” fan and I just watched “The Leftovers,” which I can’t stop talking about. I loved “The Governess,” and I’m so upset that it is over. I was a BIG fan! I found that I am more of a binge watcher than a regular watcher. I got caught up on “The Good Wife.” Depending on when you catch me, I’m watching something different.

Q) Is there anything else you want to be sure fans know about your music?

A) I am giving a free download of “Goodbye July” because I love the song and I love people! I decided I wanted to do that. Hopefully, we’ll have a new EP out this summer of all new songs, which I’m very excited about.