Since her debut with Dream of Shawndrell, Shawndrell has captured hearts with her distinctive blend of pop and R&B. Now, with her third album Imagination, she takes us on an even deeper journey of self-discovery and musical exploration. In this interview, Shawndrell shares how her personal experiences have shaped her music and the bold choices she made to create this new chapter in her career.
Imagination marks a new chapter in your career. How do you feel your sound has evolved since your debut album, Dream of Shawndrell, and what specific elements do you think define this new direction?
Yes, ‘Imagination’ is definitely a new chapter in my career, I have always wanted to transition from singing R&B music to pop music, and I feel that my musical evolution took some time, but with elements such as growth, love, heartbreak, and even more personal life experiences, it has finally broken the barrier that define the two unique but similar genres of music.
What personal experiences or themes influenced the creation of Imagination, and how do these experiences manifest in the lyrics and melodies of the album?
Well, a lot of people know, but some may be unaware that I’ve been writing and recording music for quite some time now, but, surprisingly, the personal experiences that influenced me to create the “Imagination” album were simple: I knew I wanted to write a body of work that would showcase how much I’ve changed and grown vocally and lyrically. I also wanted to be sure I shared with my fans, supporters, and loyal listeners my unique ability to create resounding stories in the form of song, that would resonate with them regardless of an 80s synth sound, included in my song “Lost the Magic” or any provocative guitar riffs, even with a country music flair like my song “Heartbreaker.” Every song was created as a manifestation for someone out there in the world who shares the same experiences, feelings, and emotions I have shared in this album.
Which song from Imagination holds the most significance for you, and why?
The song that holds the most significance for me is the title track, “Imagination.” It encapsulates the endurance and resilience I have acquired on my musical journey and the struggles I’ve faced as an artist. The lyrics reflect my desire to inspire others to tap into their ability to manifest their visions and dreams, no matter the obstacles. If they learn the power inside of their minds, then they will see just how close they are at to becoming all they aspire to become in this life. It’s a personal anthem for me, that is a constant driving force to my own reality, and I hope it resonates with my listeners the same.
What do you hope listeners take away from Imagination, and how do you envision this album deepening your connection with them?
I hope listeners will take away the spirit of perseverance from this album, that no matter what is happening in their lives, to continue to push through to become the best version of themselves. And if someone hurts them or breaks their heart in anyway, that it’s okay to not be okay, but to face it because they will get bigger and stronger the one who caused the pain will get smaller and weaker. I envision this album being a vessel that flows an awakening to my listeners because of its relatability as well as the album’s broad mix of sound vibrations. They will feel something different, but I’m not afraid that they won’t love it, I’m afraid they will, and well, I just hope I’m ready (laughs).
Do you have any plans for music videos or visual storytelling to accompany the tracks on Imagination, and how important do you think visual elements are in enhancing the music experience?
Absolutely! I believe that visual storytelling can enhance the music experience of listeners. I’m currently working on a couple of music videos for tracks from “Imagination.” The first one I’ll be releasing around the 2nd week of October, for the song entitled “Nothin’ Without You,” and the next will be for the song entitled “Monster,” which I plan to release on Halloween. I hope to create visuals that complement the themes of the songs and bring my artistic vision to life. I think it will be exciting for fans to see the stories behind the music.
You started singing at a young age. Can you share some memorable experiences from your early days in church and school choirs that influenced your passion for music?
Wow, yes, at around the age of 5, my parents and grandparents signed me up to sing solos in church, and I sang in the school choirs as well. This all influenced my passion to perform in front of people; it was like I wanted to do bigger stages, and sing for more people, just because I wanted to see them smile and sing-a-long, and I just wanted my family to be proud of me. I also learned how to sightread and score music; although it was all on a basic level, I was still equipped with the knowledge, and recognized the importance of understanding music theory. I also played the clarinet in my school band for a couple of years, but please do not ask me to play that thing now (lol), but I could probably pull off “Hot Crossed Buns.”
You describe your creative process as something that comes in “spells.” Can you tell us about a recent moment when inspiration struck and how that led to the creation of one of your tracks?
Of course, and these “spells,” I must say, cannot be taken lightly, when I am hit with them, it overtakes me and I am unable to focus on anything, I have to stop working, I have to make my way to where I am alone, just me and my creative ideas. Once I am there, in that space, that is where the magic happens. I can’t say this inspiration only lead to a single track; every song I’ve ever written began with myself being overtaken by this immense desire to create something great. If I had to name one song that stands out most from one of my “spell” episodes, I’d say “Better Thank You Do.” It does take on my traditional R&B side, but I remember creating this song, standing in my kitchen, and being in tears while singing the lyrics to it. The feeling was just that powerful…
Are there any emerging artists you admire as much as Aretha Franklin and P!nk?
Oh yes, although I’m not sure if you’d consider any of them emerging because I’ve been following their music for a while now, to name a few, I’d go with DVSN, Brian B-Flat Cook, Alex Isley, Giveon, Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, and Kiana Ledé. I am just in love with how flawless and effortless they all deliver vocally, and as someone with a strong voice, I struggle with control sometimes, so I just admire anyone who can sing hit music without it sounding wrong or overdone. I admire that in them all.
Beyond your music, you mentioned pursuing an MBA. How do you see your education influencing your career as an independent artist, and what other goals do you have for the future?
Aw man, education was simply a requirement, because I realized early, that I didn’t want to do other musical acts that ended up jaded and broke because I didn’t understand accounting, contracts, and business law, as it is independent artists who are not touring, don’t make lots of money, and we won’t get on how much we are paid for being streamed hundreds of thousands of times. So yeah, pursuing my MBA was just a must for me. As for my future, right now, I want to create more visuals for the album and plan more performances, and in the upcoming months and years, my goal is to collaborate with other great artists, and finally tour the world (fingers crossed). Because I would absolutely love to see the faces of the people who keep on buying me coffee by streaming my music every month (laughs).
