Shala's Bridging of Interstellar Culture Through Melody
- Aaron Perry
- Aug 1
- 9 min read
"The beauty of creativity is that it’s never the same. There may be people out there who have a routine for the process. I personally create environments through routine, and discipline myself by showing up to write."
Emerging as a vibrant voice in the global music scene, Japanese musical artist Shala captivates audiences with her unique blend of wit and wisdom with Japanese and English blends. Her songs, filled with playful humor and incisive social commentary, tackling themes of race, self-discovery, and transforming trauma into triumph. Shala stands to become an international sensation, offering a fresh perspective and a powerful message through her captivating melodies and insightful lyrics.
For ASM Ink’s Artist Spotlight, I am very happy to provide an excellent opportunity to delve into her artistic journey, creative process, and the meaning behind few of her songs.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I’m a firm believer that Creativity calls you to be created, for you to be creative. For me it happened to be story telling through music, dance and film. In saying that I think I started when I was a little child. I still have memories of how magical music made me feel and how it allowed me to live in a different dimension. Music made me fall in love with dance. Music videos also made me fall in love with dance and film. Before the pandemic I was a full time professional Dancer working for Dua Lipa, Pharrell Williams, Taylor Swift etc. I was fortunate enough to not only be in front of the camera but also be behind the scenes assisting and assistant directing along side the ‘Big Boys’ in the film and dance industry. That’s where I got a lot of my training in what I do visually. I took that leap of faith in 2020 to fully devote myself to songwriting and even though I would study and write songs while I was a full time Dancer I keep reminding myself I’m only 4 years old.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
This answer will change all the time but as a child I listened to J-Pop, British and American popular music. Thanks to dancing I listened to a lot of American music and subconsciously I must have been getting “rap vocal” lessons. I started songwriting because I love Paul McCartney and I want to write songs like him. When I started listening to Thundercat that’s when everything clicked for me. If it wasn’t for his albums I won’t have an album today.
"I see myself becoming someone who people did not expect to make it happen, but I did."
What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and what has been your journey like so far?
I don’t know if ‘inspired’ is the right word, but I always knew I was meant to do music. I never had the courage to put myself out there for years, and when I did get the courage I realized I wasn’t that good. But I still had this desire to write songs that bring people together.
"I trust my taste, my gut and ability to listen to the idea on how it wants to be shaped. I’m not a fan of throwing in Japan-esque things such as Geisha, Ninjas, Anime in order to Please the Western audience. If an individual wants to create that it doesn’t bother me but I don’t want to do that."
How do you approach the songwriting process? Can you walk us through your typical creative routine?
The beauty of creativity is that it’s never the same. There may be people out there who have a routine for ‘the process’. I personally create environments through routine, and discipline myself by “showing up to write”. Sometimes it could be from a word/ a beat/ a melody that falls from the sky or even from a short film script that I’ve written. For me what’s most important is that I LISTEN, the song that is waiting to be written will tell you. Songs are waiting for us Writers to shape them into our world.
How do you balance Japanese musical elements with contemporary styles in your work?
I trust my taste, my gut and ability to listen to the idea on how it wants to be shaped. I’m not a fan of throwing in “Japan-esque” things such as Geisha’s, Ninjas, Anime etc. to “Please the Western audience”. If an individual wants to create that it doesn’t bother me but I don’t want to do that. For example for my single “Watashi no Namae wo Machigaenaide (Don’t Mispronounce My Name)” I use a Japanese groove for the hook melody. I don’t do that in my other songs but it felt right for that beat from LISKX. I’d been waiting to do that for 5 years so when the song required that groove I WAS VERY HAPPY. I could have tried to use a Japanese scale for the top line but it didn’t feel right. So I chose to use the groove for that song and that’s how I balanced it with Drill.
Watashi no Namae wo Machigaenaide (Don’t Mispronounce My Name)
Where do you find inspiration for your lyrics and melodies?
Everywhere and anywhere. I’m always LISTENING and by LISTENING I mean paying attention. For “Random Ass White Girl” I was paying attention to my surroundings. And while I was up in the Yamanashi mountains working on my music I stopped at a red light and there was a huge poster of a YT (white) woman for the Dentists. I looked at it and literally sang “Random Ass White Girl, Random Ass White Girl, everywhere I look there’s a Random Ass White Girl”; exactly how you hear it on the record. If it was a man on the poster I’m sure the song would have been “Random Ass White Guy”.
"Music is a form of drug to me and I think not all music serves as a healing medicine but a destructive drug. When I am able to submit myself to creativity and am fortunate enough to be used in the making of a song I feel healed afterwards."
What has been the most memorable moment of your musical career so far?
My Interstellar Children (Shala's Fanbase) embracing me for who I am and embracing who they are to me. It’s a relationship and it goes both ways. Whenever I connect with them I’m reminded to keep going. Besides that, everything that I predicted for the ‘RAWG (Random Ass White Girl)’ project happened, and more. That was a questionnaire in song format, to create space for people to discuss the issue on Japanese beauty standards favoring European features. Literally that’s what happened but globally. I’m grateful to each individual for discussing with each other on a difficult subject matter.
Can you share a particularly challenging experience in your career and how you overcame it?
I’m just getting started so ask me again in 2 years time. Laughs
"It’s wonderful to create from a simple place and have it affect people. That’s one of the reason I love art."
Is there a specific performance or project that you are especially proud of?
I’m proud of all of the work I’ve released so far, every piece for its individual reasons. “Where do you come from?” Was written in response to the haters from “RAWG” and how they didn’t like the fact that I’m Wasian. I think in America to be mixed is different compared to the UK and Japan. From my understanding there’s more diversity there and unlike the UK maybe more people can embrace that I’m Wasian, which is nice as I’m used to having people highlight the minority side from their view point. I needed to write that song for my inner child, and express the frustrations from the confusions I face of never being “complete” because of my biracial background. It’s great to know that other mixed race people, minority people resonate with it. That song is for us.
Spotlight on "Life is Great"
Your song "Life is Great" has a very important message of an ongoing issue in not just Japan but worldwide. What inspired you to write this song?
If you are an Artist in Japan who LISTENS you will create something based on the Salary man and OL at one point in your life.
"Anime, Painters and Illustrators. You guys INSPIRE me to be more experimental with my choices or try something different."
Can you share any memorable experiences or stories from the production of "Life is Great"?
The one that comes to mind now is when I was in Rin dance studio choreographing. When I walked away from full time Dancing to do music my life style changed completely. From dancing 10 hour days I was sitting in a room writing for hours. I hadn’t danced full out for 2 years and when I was choreographing I started crying like a big baby. My body was so happy to dance and I was reminded how much I love to dance and how much I missed it. It was a pure, spiritually refreshing experience for me.
What message do you hope listeners take away from "Life is Great"?
If you think you are unseen or unimportant. I see you.
Spotlight on "Don't Mispronounce My Name"
"Don't Mispronounce My Name" addresses an important and personal issue for many people. What motivated you to write this song?
I was at my desk just wanting to write and I had this guy wanting to get into my DMs but he was tweeting me on Twitter/X. He would say all these compliments and so I would like them; because I don’t like to ignore people. But then he would misspell my name and so I couldn’t like some of his tweets. Misspell and mispronounce are the same word in Japanese and basically I wrote a song about the interaction that I had with this guy called Rin. When he gave me a compliment with correct spelling I would double click and like but whenever he misspelt my name I would ignore him. It’s wonderful to create from a simple place and have it affect people. That’s one of the reason I love art.
How has your personal experience with your name and identity influenced your music?
Not so much my name but my identity is in my music. I hope my Interstellar Children can feel the depth of my heart in my art.
What has been the response from your fans and the wider audience to "Don't Mispronounce My Name" and the music video?
It’s been amazing. I can’t believe I have people waiting to see and listen to my work. All I can say is ありがとう (Thank You) !
Fan Engagement & Role in the Arts
How do you connect with your fans, both in Japan and internationally?
The internet of course. Social media is addictive but a great tool.
Can you share an experience where a fan's story or feedback deeply impacted you?
There are so many… I had one of my Interstellar Children Justin say to me, “If you give in, I’ll give in”. I loved that. Also anything that Angelica says. I feel like I can fully believe in myself when I listen to her speak.
Looking back at your career, is there anything you would do differently?
Everything, Kidding. (Laughs) I would tell myself “it’s ok to make mistakes. Your identity isn’t in the failures”.
Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re excited about?
Everyone that I create with cause they’re talented humans. I’m not aloud to say some of the things but all I can say is I cried the other day because I was so excited and also relieved that I’m finally working with people I’ve wanted to work with.
How do you see your music evolving in the next few years?
I think when my Interstellar Children listen to my first album “WaBisAbi” they will understand it. My second album is sounding so different but I believe they will like it and hear my growth. So I hope you can experience growth as I experiment with different genres.
Outside of music, what other forms of art inspire you or play a significant role in your life?
Anime, Painters and Illustrators. You guys INSPIRE me to be more experimental with my choices or try something different. “Life is Great” was inspired by Actors and Painters/ Illustrators.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not making music?
Spending time with my loved ones and cooking, preferably with an oven.
The platform ASM Ink focuses on the healing power of art. How has music served as a form of healing or self-expression for you?
Music is a form of drug to me and I think not all music serves as a healing medicine but a destructive drug. When I am able to submit myself to creativity and am fortunate enough to be used in the making of a song I feel healed afterwards.
How do you see your role as an artist in today's society?
I see myself becoming someone who people did not expect to "make it happen", but I did.
What message do you hope to convey through your music?
You and I existing on planet Earth at the same time is no coincidence. I see you, I need you and I’m honored to make you feel something.
Her studio debut album, "WaBisAbi" is now on all major streaming platforms
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