A Dirty Dozen with SHARONE – October 2019

According to a recent press release: “Denver, CO based dark rock artist SHARONE has released the official music video for her newest single, “Cold.” Directed by Kyle Lamar of and SHARONE herself, “Cold” is the first single and video off of her upcoming LP, Reflection, due out December 7th, 2019.” We get Sharone to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Reflection has been a work in progress over the last three and a half years. I only began writing the songs about a year ago, but the sound is exactly what I envisioned three and a half years ago when I put together my first lineup of backing musicians. My previous release Enchiridion of Nightmares (2018), was a huge achievement of mine, and I love it to bits to this day. I actually have the artwork of the album tattooed on my back. Reflection is very different in the sense that it is far more rhythm oriented yet driven by fun and catchy melodies bouncing between the piano and lead guitar.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I don’t think I ever had a moment of realization, per se. When I was taking classical piano lessons as a kid, I would get distracted while practicing my assigned compositions and start noodling on my own, and I remember how excited I felt every time I made something up that sounded cool. I always loved to sing and perform. It was one of the few things that made me genuinely happy, so it definitely stood out to me because I was a pretty grumpy kid. I remember watching live show videos from bands and artists like Paramore, Evanescence, Black Sabbath, Lady Gaga, and P!nk, and always thinking, “man, I want to do that”.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Amy Lee has been my biggest inspiration since I was 10 or 11 years old. I’ve always admired her honesty, vulnerability, and determination, and the sound that she created with her band. Hayley Williams follows closely, particularly in reference to her stage performance. She writes such heartfelt and often sad words, but still manages to put on such a fun show every time she steps foot on stage, and I always strive to do the same.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Evanescence, Halestorm, In This Moment, Digital Daggers, and Siouxsie Sioux.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Meg Myers. I love everything she’s doing. She blends so many different genres and styles together to create a gorgeous dark alternative pop sound.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’ve always described my music as “dark rock”. The only comparisons I’ve gotten have been to artists that I’m really influenced by such as Lacuna Coil and Evanescence, so I haven’t had a cringeworthy comparison yet.

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

Total creative freedom and self expression. I love creating music more than anything else in the world. Performing live is pretty tied with that.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

My backing band are all pretty goofy guys. They’re all really talented and super nerdy. I love performing with them. We don’t ever really cook together but if we did I’m sure my guitarist would take that job on. He brings a cooler full of pre-prepped meals to every practice. My bassist is one you can count on to bring the beer the majority of the time. And my drummer is always the first to snag the acoustic guitars and start playing some folk tunes.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

Last time I was starstruck was when I met Mixi from Stitched Up Heart when I opened for them in May. I had listened to their music in the past and absolutely loved it. When I saw they were coming to Denver I immediately sent the email to try to get an opening slot for the show. I was so excited when it ended up all coming together. Mixi was so nice and the group put on such a fun show.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

I’ve been asked this question by my family and friends my whole life. I honestly don’t see myself doing anything else.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

For a long time, I went by the tagline “Sharone and the Wind”, trying to bring attention to the members of my backing band, and to turn the project into a true band. I ended up being hurt, let down, and taken advantage of a lot. I gave certain members too much business and creative control, to the point that it was starting to effect the music in a negative way. I really wish that I had someone there to tell me four years ago that I don’t need to worry about my backing band being consistent or in the spotlight of my project. That it was mine and that all that mattered was that I was making the music that was in my heart, and the right people would come along.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would have loved to even observe the recording process of Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd. That album danced between elements of so many of our modern genres of music, and they were simply not afraid to do anything while in the studio creating the masterpiece. Like blending four female vocals together so flawlessly and setting up an array of 30 clocks to get that clock sound. Sometimes I wish I had a higher studio budget to be able to experiment with things like that.

SHARONE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

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Category: Interviews