Shaina Shepherd back home and back on stage this Saturday at the Tractor Tavern for KEXP 50 Years celebration

By Vaughn Williams

The talented Shaina Shepherd is a revered Seattle musical phenom with a voice full of soul, passion, and imagination. Shepherd once again joined us on the Morning Update Show to update Trae Holiday on what’s been up since her last appearance in December 2021. Shepherd also took some time today to share some introspections and observations and learnings from the past few months and how that is impacting her music today. Shepherd is currently in town as she was taken by KEXP to curate a show this weekend at Tractor Tavern in which she will be performing with several other industry heavyweights including Vitamin D. The show is part of KEXP’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. 

Recently, Shepherd took her talents nationally on tour; she highlighted and embraced the opportunity to converse and create with the broader, national black community. Even though spirits were high, Shepherd said she felt feelings of depression when she got home. However, working on her album with her support team has helped mend some of these pessimistic feelings.

Shaina Shepherd (Photo Liv Lyons)

Authenticity is the heart of Shepherd's creativity and sound. In spite of that, Shepherd comments on the technological age where everyone is perpetually online. She described experiences with other artists and creators who view things like social media as the crux to finding their path within the industry, but to Shepherd, social media is nothing but a tool.

"Music, art, and culture, that's the real stomping ground where we can hold each other accountable to the human spirit," said Shepherd. 

Shepherd, in a sense, believes that the connection that social media provides has ironically created a sense of disconnection between people. Shepherd has even admitted to falling prey to social media's false perception of connection. "Being authentically me, is me acknowledging that I have adapted a habit of mirroring in order to feel like I can survive in many spaces," said Shepherd.

In the age of the internet, brands are everything. Shepherd believes that we currently live within a "brand era." She described a scenario where 12-year-old girls must learn to brand themselves on social media platforms like TikTok to soothe the needs of the world and their peers.

 Shepherd, with her career and purpose on her mind, has decided to delve into what authenticity is to her. "Being authentic is just being able to look yourself in the mirror and say I am in the present right now, note the thoughts, note the feelings, and move purposefully into what's next for me," said Shepherd.

Always all smiles when Shaina Shepherd visits the Morning Update Show (Photo Liv Lyons)

Shepherd is doing precisely that, moving purposefully, "we're pounding the pavement," said Shepherd. She has been canvassing on foot to promote her upcoming show with KEXP. Shepherd is trying to connect with the people who still long for live music after the pandemic, and to her, authenticity is the best approach, "The only way I can do that is to be a real human being," said Shepherd

Once again, if you want to support Shepherd and her music, make sure to attend her show this Saturday at the Tractor Tavern at 8 pm. You can purchase tickets here, https://www.ticketweb.com/event/kexp-presents-shaina-shepherd-w-tractor-tickets/11994795?pl=tractor&REFID=clientsitewp 

Find out more about Shaina Shepherd on her website, https://www.shainashepherdmusic.com/ 

Exclusive: Shaina Shepherd performs her song “Hope” in the Black Media Matters Studio.