Hiya Shani, thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today. Grab a brew and take a seat.
What was life like for you before you got into music?
Life before music was kindergarten, I started piano when I was 5 so it’s always been a part of my life. I went to a Music School in Secondary and continued to a Bachelors and Masters in Music so I don’t really know anything else.
What’s the live music scene like in Melbourne right now? Anyone we should be looking out for?
Melbourne Music Scene is totally happening! There are so many musical opportunities, places to perform and a real musical culture. I would have my eyes on Kaiyah Mercedes and Kitty Rae- they are both young talented emerging Melbourne artists that are amazing performers, super hard workers and are totally passionate about their music. I really admire their musical journey and hope that they will continue to climb in the global music industry.
It seems like being a social media curator has become added to the many jobs of a musician, how do you feel about this?
Oh wow, don’t you know it. It’s literally another job and a challenging one too but that is the way of the world. I try to look at it that this is my opportunity to engage with an audience and tell them about my life but when it comes to releases and you need to be posting content a few times a week, it gets very hectic.
How do you manage engagement on your socials?
I think I’m pretty good with socials as much as I can. I try to respond to whoever has taken the time to write and comment. I don’t really manage to get deep into conversation as that isn’t really the currency of the platform but I do what I can. You are welcome to hop onto my socials btw (Shaniweissofficial)
What’s your view on the Music industry today?
On one hand it’s gret that you can actually make it as an independent artist and don’t neccesarilly need a label behind you, on the other hand, it means there are so many musicians trying to get through and the talent is all over. It’s a tricky business
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
I feel pretty good with my position in the Melbourne muso industry. I am an active member of the community, I have a radio show called Indie Spotlight Melbourne where I interview Melbourne musicians. I regularyly attend different community networking nights and go to support muso’s which is amazing as I have only been in Melbourne for around 7 years.
Whats the biggest thing you have learned recently as you progress with your music?
That I am a super hard worker and hard work pays off, I have educated myself with tools to promote myself and am now starting to collect the fuit of my hard work and there is no better feeling then that.
What was your best experience on stage?
Wow, only one? can I give a few When I just arrived to Melbourne I found myself performing on stage in Hamer Hall with another 200 guitarists in front of 3000 people, that was a pretty incredible experience. I performed in the Palais a few weeks after watching Counting Crows play there which was a dream.
In general, any performance I am able to emmerse myself in the music is a great experience
What was your worst experience on stage?
I had this performance where I was singing and playing keys, and I was set up in between a very loud drummer, and a guitarist that put his amp in overdrive.
If that wasn’t challenging enough, the foldback was diosconnected and I couldn’t hear myself at all and was playing deaf basically. In addition it was an outside gig in Melbourne Winter so I was freezing, pretty awful gig.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about.
I have a love for aeroplanes, I was an air traffic controller for two years in the army and worked for 4 years in the airport while studying music. That’s pretty random
I hear you have new music. What can you tell us about it?
I am launching my EP on the 13th of November in the Toff in Town where I will be releasing the three remaining songs from the EP- Rules Don’t Apply, In Two and Breathe that are different sides of me that I haven’t yet showed and am really excited about. The launch will be with a bunch of musicians and the theme is unity through music where on one stage there will be people from all religions, ethnicities and cultures coming together for a night of music.
What was the recording process like?
The recording process was amazing. I recorded the EP in Mitzlol music studios, which is where I recorded my first album ‘Touch of Reality’. The first album took two years and I really learned how to work in a recording studio, it’s completely different to playing an instrument of performing.
Coming into the EP with that experience it took around 3 condensed weeks to record the EP. I had matured, I knew what I wanted, I knew how to produce it and I got one of the best compliments of my life, when my producer, Kobi Farhi, said I can be a session Ukulele player.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
My first album, ‘Touch of Reality’ was very eclectic. I wanted to show all the things I can do – Jazz, Rock, Grunge, Folk and learning from that I found what shows me best as a musician and I was able to reel it in a bit and the EP is more cohesive with the genres with a more Folk Rock Blues sound.
In addition, the musicians that played on the album where top level and that didn’t always translate into what you would get in the performance so going into recording the EP I really wanted to make sure the live sound and studio sound are similar and built the arrangements and even the tunes with that thought in mind.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
Nah I love it! I’m super super proud of it.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
If you’ve got this far, I would really appreciate you jump on my socials and say hello, tell me what you think about the music or in general. Jump on the spotify and save my songs, that really really helps. And of course, if you’re in Melbourne November 13th, come on down to the Toff!!!
FOLLOW HER HERE
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