INTERVIEW BY JOE FITZPATRICK
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SHENNA SOMSMIEH
Though you may not have heard of her yet, SHENNA is quickly making her way into mainstream pop music, and she is a serious contender with nothing else in mind but gold. Shenna Somsmieh was born and raised in Northern Virginia, and she has been performing in the Washington, D.C. area since she was a little girl. Despite moving to New York City to advance her career, she still maintains close ties to the District.
In 2014, she released her debut EP Dream In Color, which was co-written and produced by Austin Bello, formerly of FOREVER THE SICKEST KIDS. Since launching her professional music career, SHENNA has performed in front of thousands across the U.S., including at Disney World, Webster Hall, Central Park, and Tammany Hall, to name a few. Currently SHENNA is on the verge of releasing her new EP Made Of Gold, and her new single “Air Balloons” is much more than just “hot air.”
I know that you have been living in New York City for more than a year, but you grew up in Woodbridge, Va. Can you tell me about the beginnings of your music career in Virginia and how you made your path to being a professional pop artist?
Growing up in Virginia, I started music at a young age but would sing harmonies with my older cousins at the age of seven for their performances. I joined a production company at the age of 13 called “Positive Thinking People,” and everyone in the company thought I was older than my age because I looked about the same back then as I do today, just a little taller (laughs). They used to make me sing on the spot, and I think that really made a difference in who I am today as both a performer and a person because I love to interact with my crowd! I knew since a young age [during] many family vacations to NYC that one day I was going to move to New York and pursue my career on a professional level. It feels really amazing and surreal, at times, to realize that I’m actually making my dream a reality.
On June 17, 2015, you performed at Capital Pride DC. Was it your first time performing at that
festival? How was that experience?
I was excited to perform at Capital Pride for the first time, and it was such an awesome experience! I loved the energy of everyone there and how it was a judgment free zone! I feel that’s how everyday should be, and in my music I talk about embracing who you are and how we are all gold.
Would you consider yourself an advocate for same sex marriage?
I would definitely consider myself an advocate. I agree that “love is love,” and life is all about being happy. People need to just except the fact that it’s 2015, and things need to change.
Can you tell me about your team of dancers and how you came to work with them?
First off, I have to say I love my dancers so much! I’ve always wanted to dance on stage during performances but didn’t know if I could actually pull it off. My friend Yuki Sukezane has performed on BET and in a lot of different countries, including Japan. Moxie Knox is a trained ballerina and brings a lot of technique to our shows, so it is great having both of my close friends apart of this journey. We have a lot of fun during rehearsals.
I heard that TAYLOR SWIFT’s song “Bad Blood” is about KATY PERRY stealing some of her dancers. Are you worried another pop singer might try to take any of your dancers or band members?
I’m not worried another singer will still my dancers because I encourage everyone to network and take on as many opportunities as possible. If they can benefit from performing with an another artist and multitask both schedules, I strongly encourage it and will be in the audience cheering them on.
What is your new single “Air Balloons” about?
“Air Balloons” is about an epic summer night that you never forget with old and new friends, and living in the moment.
Has a release date been set for your new album?
I have an idea of when it is releasing but won’t say just yet. At the moment, I am working on a lot of prerelease items and plans so I’m excited to share soon.
Once it is released, do you plan to tour to promote the album?
I definitely want to tour to promote my project and to meet my supporters all around. That is something I am really looking forward to!
For more updates on SHENNA, be sure to visit her website, “like” her Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, subscribe to her YouTube channel, and be on the lookout for her new album Made Of Gold on Soundcloud.
