Shiralee Coleman, International Model, Travel Blogger and DJ/Producer explodes onto the music scene with her single ‘Can You Feel It'
MFA interview with Shiralee Coleman 12th March 2021
Shiralee Coleman, International Model, Travel Blogger and DJ/Producer explodes onto the music scene with her single ‘Can You Feel It’
Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Music Festivals Australia in what I can only has been a crazy time with the up-and-coming release of your new song ‘Can You Feel It?’ on the Friday the 12th.
Shiralee, firstly congratulations on the new song it’s awesome are you prepared for the massive things this song is going to do for your music career?
Thank you so much Michelle! I am so excited to finally release this song and the response to it so far has been amazing. From the release of Can You Feel It - to the interest and plays on radio, to having a launch event on Seadeck, its been quite the experience already for my debut single. I love that its made it to the Top 100 Dance Charts as well. So YES – Im here for it and more! And there’s definitely more coming too. IM FEELING IT
‘Can You Feel It?’ is another brilliant song to come from the newest name in recording Pumping Records, The label catapulted into popular conversation overnight, and your song definitely is another hit to add to their catalogue. This has to be something your proud of especially given your connection to the label?
I had always thought “I REALLY want to be a DJ. I said this in my younger years - and I’m still saying it today.” A few years ago – I messaged a friend who is the most experienced DJ that I know (who is also now my Manager and the owner of Pumping Records Label.) I asked George - what should I do? What’s my first step? He said to me I can actually imagine you doing this and believed in me - even before I picked up the headphones.
For someone who has travelled so much, and usually spends half the year away, I had never done this before. Stay in one place? Record a song? I look back on the past year and now think, what we achieved has been amazing. Was it a blessing in disguise? Perhaps. We really got to work during this time with the team from Pumping Records, getting creative. I was forced to really zone in and make the most of this time in Australia. I wasn’t packing a bag all the time and catching flights onto the next place, the next project, I completely was at a standstill. And here - music was created, ideas came to fruition, and its been quite amazing to be honest. I really don’t know what would have happened otherwise, but, I brought out a track! I My very own song. What was a dream before, I saw come to life. Even with restrictions we still managed to do one hell of a sold out show and launched it on a boat in Sydney, on Seadeck. So yes, this song holds a very special place given my connection to the label and how this started.
2020 was a year full of uncertainty and change and for some the year came as a blessing for some a curse. How do you rate your 2020?
Covid was a big wake up call and a new situation that really challenged all of us in the music industry. Just as I was getting into the whole vibe of it, we were given a whole new world to deal with. I had BIG plans for 2020. I was moving to Vegas, and going to play in Ibiza and Marbella. Going all out and planning to do my fashion, travel blogging and adding the music into my world. Not only was I going to shoot these amazing destinations I was going to DJ there too. In my mind, I was set. So when we went into lockdown and shut the borders down in Australia, it really rocked me. WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO NOW?
But 2020 turned out to be amazing- still. I think its about who you are in your heart, and how you choose to make the best of a situation. This year gave us, the team, the chance to be together, to be creative, spend time in the studio, and for this I was definitely blessed.
‘Can you feel it?’ is a song of sadness and missing someone is that Correct?
Yes. Can You Feel It, is about missing someone. Someone you cannot get to. I really felt that separation during lockdown and this song really touches on that. Thinking back to a time you had with someone and wondering if … Can You Feel It, too.
What made you put that song to this music which has a fresh upbeat summer feel to it?
As long time lover of house music – it is a sexy summer sound, a signature of mine that I love to play during my sets. I imagine playing it in a beach club one day, when I can get back to one! So even though the lyrics are about missing someone, it was a song that I still wanted to be a summer house track and true to my sound.
Participation in digitally streamed events during the Covid/Lockdown period was the way to connect with fans and share music, what was that like compared to playing in front of a live audience?
I was always interested in music from the start. I would be the one collecting songs and putting together mixed tapes of all my favourite songs and sharing these with my friends at school. This went onto further obsession where I would source and download songs, and the collections would take up all the memory on my computer. I think I was definitely more passionate about this than studying, looking back! The allocation of memory to songs vs my other work said it all. I would always show off the new finds anytime anyone came over to my house. When I was at uni I was making CDs. I would burn them and pass them around to people in my classes. This was before we could easily send a link of a song to someone, like we can now. To think I was making mixtapes even back then! And I’m still making them now, and sharing them on Soundcloud. When people send me videos of them listening to the recent mixtapes we have brought out now, it does make me smile so much to think of how far this goes back.
Yes fair enough I love doing my mixes for Soundcloud and live streams, but it lacked that connection that I feel when I play to people. That moment when you see people enjoy your music, and realise its your JOB to make them feel happy, was something that I had never felt before in my career.
I love the saying “Don’t adapt the to the energy in the room. Influence the energy in the room”
Are you glad to be performing live again, Especially in such a gorgeous and exclusive venue like ‘SeaDeck’ Boat on Sydney Harbor?
Absolutely! I love playing on the boat. I don’t know why but every day that I’m playing on Seadeck the sun is shining, the vibe is amazing, we always have the best crew. How can you not love life when its like that?
And also - The light at the end of the tunnel is finally here. With the prospect of being able to play in the clubs again and have dancefloors so close now, I can guarantee that Ill be the first one there - Margaritas and headphones in each hand
“There’s always so much to learn, more music to make and always one more song to play!”
What has been your favourite event to perform at or person you have performed with? What’s been the highlight in your career so far? And why?
My favourite day of 2020 and also my career highlight was when I got to perform with all the other artists from Pumping Records at the single launch of Can You Feel It on Seadeck. Its was a very special day for me. It was a sold out show, on a beautiful sunny day in Sydney and I played with DJ Fuel, Ibazz and Sabro. It was unreal, and the moment we played the song for the first time, I will never forget! I am buzzing just thinking about it, still. Nothing is better than playing your favourite tunes while sailing on a boat through the harbour, with all of your friends having the best time. What a summer!
You worked with Chris Luder and Boswell for a this this song, were you a fan of their ARIA chart topping hits before the collaboration?
Yes I actually have known Boswell for a a very long time, and featured in his music video for ‘Time Machine’ 9 years ago! I am definitely a fan of their music. My favourite tracks by Boswell is Closure, Lost in You and Think of Me. He’s so talented and I love his voice on the track. It was perfect. Chris Luder is such a great songwriter, and he really captured the feeling we wanted.
You attended the National Music Academy; would you recommend getting a traditional music education like this to up and comers? Have you found the training useful as you go forward within the Industry?
George (Pumping Records) told me to go to an Open Day at National Music Academy before I started DJing. It was the nudge I needed.
I went to National Music Academy and was mixing in my first lesson. I was on such a buzz when I left that session and instinctively knew THIS WAS WHERE I WAS MEANT TO BE. You know when something just clicks? I was so happy. I was also annoyed at myself for not doing it sooner. But, I couldn’t get angry at myself. The whole thing about DJing, is about TIMING. This did not happen for me before, because it wasn’t right then. But it was right, right now.
The people who have known me and my journey have seen me go through so many stages of my life, because my following started quite a while ago. They have seen me go into my very first steps from modelling to music, going to DJ school, and I’ve been very open about this journey and have brought everyone along with me. Was I scared? Fuck yes. Was I ever going to give up? I never considered it. When you love something and its your passion, you give it your all. You wake up and want to do more each day because the most beautiful thing about playing is, there’s always a new way to do it. I will never play the same set.
I would 100% recommend learning in a classroom at the beginning to get the technical side right. The rest you have to live and learn by playing and practice. I have so many girls especially ask me questions about how I learnt to be a DJ and I always give them this advice.
‘Can You Feel It’ I’m sure will see lots of airplay on Australian air waves. Do you think the 25% minimum quota of Australian music on our radio stations is a fair number given the ever-expanding talent pool we have in this country? Would you like to see that number increased or even a dedicated Aussie station?
I would love to see the emerging artists get more airplay for sure. I much prefer listening to the radio and hearing new music than the same commercial music I already know 100 times.
If there was a station just dedicated to this, even better, I would be tuning in!
Collaborations are happening all the time. Who would you love to work with both locally and internationally?
I currently working on a collaboration with Daniel Tonik and this has been someone I really wanted to work with, after hearing his song Retrospect on The Party Life Radio Show. He is a super talented local artist from Australia, and our new single will be coming out in May! The sound of this is next level! I cannot wait to share this. We have been working on this project this year.
Will you return to travel blogging in the future if international travel becomes easier or will music remain your main focus now?
Once the borders open, I have big plans for my music. All the plans I had before, will now be even bigger because I have been waiting to travel for so long… and the meaning of it to me personally, after missing it so much, has shown me how much I love that being in my life.
I think the the travel blogging will always be a part of of what I do. Its been a part of my business, and been my passion forever. Will music remain my focus? Definitely. I think that I will be blogging the places I will be touring, this time, instead.
I cannot wait to play Can You Feel It to international audiences who have been supporting my music from afar with so much love!
What's next for Shiralee Coleman? What can we expect in 2021 and beyond?
To release more music, play more shows and develop my art.
There's always so much to learn, more music to make and always one more song to play!
interview by michelle symes
