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We’re super-excited to be speaking today with acclaimed Scottish artist and producer extraordinaire, SHEARS; greetings and salutations and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we dive into the proverbial Q&A mosh-pit, how is the freshly-minted New Year treating you and yours?
Good thank you! It’s been busy with this EP release and starting to write the next project, but I like being busy.
Major congratulations on your brand-spankin’ new EP Now We’re Getting Somewhere! Starting at the tip-top, can you talk a little about what inspired this banger of an EP?
There was a lot going on at the time! Falling out of friendships as people were moving in other directions, while also gaining clarity from the people that stuck around. I think everyone goes through a time where friends start moving to different phases of their lives and some people drop out of the picture, and that can sometimes hurt more than a breakup.
Now We’re Getting Somewhere was written, produced, recorded and mixed courtesy of your own adept and creative hand! As far as the producing-end of things go, what are some of the pro’s to acting as your own producer versus bringing in someone from outside to do those particular honors?
I’ve loved working with other producers in the past, but there’s something about having complete control over how everything sounds. You can get really used to a demo, and when someone else mixes the track it changes it quite a lot. Being there for the entire process means you don’t ever notice that change – you’re there for every step. You also don’t have to wait for people’s schedules to align with yours, you can just get on with the work whenever you like.
In your humble opinion, what differentiates Now We’re Getting Somewhere from the Distinguished Competition on the 2024 music scene?
I guess there aren’t a whole lot of female producers out there, and that’s something I hope will change. I pick sounds that I like and stick them together without thinking about the genre as an entirety, so songs can sometimes sound like an amalgamation of genres. It’s difficult to place them sometimes.
We’re tremendous admirers of the gorgeous ditty I Look At You (It’s Over) off of the new EP and the tune was tapped as the lead single for Now We’re Getting Somewhere. What made this gem of a tune the perfect choice to lead the charge on the EP? Do you feel that it tonally represents the spirit and drive of the EP as a whole?
“I Look At You (It’s Over)” was one of these songs that came so easily. I finished the whole song, writing, production, lyrics etc in one day (which is unheard of for me, I like to take my time!) Everything just flowed. It felt like the right song to introduce the rest of the EP and be released first, as some of the other tracks are a little darker.
Who inspires you musically?
I love female producers and DJs such as TSHA, Elkka and Grimes. I also love artists such as Biig Piig, Tame Impala and Marina. There’s so many good artists out there!
With the release of the new EP, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit in the coming weeks and months?
I’m in a bit of a writing bubble at the moment! I’m writing as much as possible. I want to build on this EP, and move onto the next stage. I will be playing shows – I’m in talks with a few festivals and I’m playing in Glasgow next week.
How is Now We’re Getting Somewhere similar to 2022’s EP Superhues? How is it different?
I’d say Superhues was a little poppier than this current EP. I wanted to explore other sounds and beats, and ended with some drum n bass and some dance. I want to improve as a producer with every release, and I think that can only come from exploring sounds and pushing your boundaries. It’s still got the same poppy vocal on it though!
Looking forward into 2024 with our Magic 8 Ball, where do you plan on going from Now We’re Getting Somewhere? Might fans need to keep an eagle-eye out for an LP release?
Yes, I’m writing an album at the moment. I think it’s time! I don’t know exactly when it’ll be finished yet, but it’s on the way.
When writing new material, what does your creative process generally tend to look like? Is there method to the creative madness?
I usually hear a few melodies or beats in my head, and get the general feel for a new song. I’ll put that into Ableton, and build from there. These days, the melodies come next and the lyrics usually last. It sort of depends on what pops into my head.
You hail from the beautiful country of Scotland. How do those particular roots inform you as an artist and as a person?
I’m very lucky to live in a city like Edinburgh that’s so pretty to walk around in. I try not to take it for granted. There’s also a small but very supportive scene for women making interesting music in Scotland. I’m lucky enough to be a part of that, a songwriting collective for female and non-binary artists called Hen Hoose, based in Glasgow.
At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to your beautiful new EP Now We’re Getting Somewhere?
I think it’s cool that people are even listening to something I made at home. It’s a nice feeling! I hope people enjoy and find their own meaning with it. I also hope it makes them dance.
SHEARS – Now We’re Getting Somewhere
