Saturday

Artists, Music

Catching Up With Sheena Melwani!

A few months ago, we brought you face-to-face with our very own “sangeet ki rani,” Sheena Melwani! She’s become an international icon because of her powerful voice, and a little help of the Internet as well! She’s close to reaching 7 MILLION views on her YouTube page and is still singing and putting out one amazing video after the other!

We recently caught up with Sheena after she performed in Boston during Fashion Week and it went a little something like this…

Sheena, you’ve created quite the stir for all music lovers out there because of your melodic voice and YouTube videos! Unfortunately, there are those poor, sad souls, who have no idea who you are! In one line, tell us who you are and what you do?
Just one line? No pressure, right? Okay, well in one line I’m just a girl who loves to sing and is living her dream of sharing her music with the world.

What triggered the singer inside of you and made you want to pursue singing?
I’ve wanted to sing for as long as I can remember. I’ve been singing since I was a little girl, with my first concert in a preschool musical. Now, more than 20 years later, I am even more passionate about music and can’t really imagine life without it.

How supportive were your family and friends when you said that this is something that you’d consider pursing, even as a career?
My family is amazing and I really cannot ask for any more encouragement from them. I often feel like the family is more excited than even I am about new songs, new events & new videos. This has been a team effort from the very beginning and the support from friends and family is why I am where I am today.

What are five qualities which you think are important and someone should possess if they truly want to step into the limelight as a singer?
My honest answer is that if you’re meant to succeed as a singer, then it doesn’t matter what you do, you will succeed. Though I know that’s probably not quite the answer you were looking for! At the end of the day, this career, just like many others requires hard work, dedication, patience, lots of practice and most of all humility.

Looking back at all that you’ve accomplished so far, which moments would you label as your “top three”?
This whole journey since I put my first video up on Youtube has been exciting. But just for you, I’ll admit my favorite moments include: 1- receiving emails from listeners who sign off with “your biggest fan!” (how cool is that?!?); 2- having been on Montreal’s Mix96 for a couple of interviews with radio station DJ Cat Spencer; and 3- I have to say, my first magazine cover was pretty wild!

Please tell us there’s an album in the works?
I’m so glad you asked because I can finally say YES!!! I am working on an album right now. I spend all my free time writing new music and we’re expecting to be ready for an iTunes release in early 2009. The best way to stay up to date is to visit my website at www.SheenaMelwani.com and join my mailing list. No spam, I promise!

A lot of South Asian artists have been making moves in the mainstream industry. Do you think that people are finally catching up to this idea of the “South Asian sound”?
I think North American culture is just starting to scratch the surface of what the eastern world has to offer, and this influence is not limited to music alone, but also extends to fashion, cusine and the arts in general. I definitely think that people are not only “catching up” to the idea of South Asian music, but are embracing all that it has to offer and incorporating it in their own musical styles.

If you weren’t actively trying to pursue your career as a singer, what do you think you would be doing right now?
I can honestly say (and I feel so fortunate that this is the case!) that I would most likely be doing the exact same thing that I’m doing now. Aside from the occasional live performance, not too much would change in my life. I would still be writing music and singing, but I guess there just wouldn’t be as many people listening!

Girl, you know the ins and outs of my love life (laughing)… tell us about the really cool guy in your life!
There are no words to describe the guy in my life. He’s the reason I’m so passionate. He’s my best friend and I long to share all my new music with him. He’s the one who makes me laugh and the one I depend on for EVERYTHING!!! I couldn’t do any of this without him.

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue a career as a singer?
Keep singing. Sing at every opportunity you get and don’t get discouraged. Nowadays, all the tools you need are available from your living room via the internet. Look into Youtube, Myspace, Reverbnation, etc., all of which are great ways to get your music out there!

Do you have any last words for the readers of Bravura Artist?
Thanks Tirusha! Yes, thank you for reading this article and for letting me share this musical experience with you. If you haven’t seen my site or heard my music yet, please visit www.SheenaMelwani.com where you will also be able to join my mailing list and find links to all my other online pages. Thanks again. xoxo. S.