Define your genre in five words or less:
Soul with a jazz tinge.
Bearing the terrible clichéd nature of this question, what do you reckon people will say you sound like?
People have told me that I’m like a more jazzy/arty version of Alicia Keys or Sade.
What do you love about making music?
Telling a story and taking people on a journey.
What do you hate about the music industry?
Snobs – people who are close-minded about different styles, or lesser-known emerging artists.
If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why?
Sting, but he’s still alive. Hang on – Michael Jackson! Or maybe one of the great jazz songwriters, like Billy Strayhorn.
What can a punter expect from your live show?
Funky grooves, super-tight band, passionate vocals and a message or story in each song.
What inspires or has influenced your music the most?
Probably the inspiration I get from the Bahá’í Writings. And the rollercoaster of experiencing that amazing thing called life!
What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed?
Make great music (not just good music). And work hard, hard, hard at self-managing.
Do you have any record releases to date? What are they? Where can I get them?
Yes – there’s my new, self-titled debut album, and my 2009 EP Universe For Afternoon Tea. You can grab them at my website: shameemmusic.com.
When are you playing live?
Sunday July 29, at the 303. This will be the only Melbourne show of my national tour. Four shows in four capital cities, then back home to sunny Perth.
