Me, Myself and I

Ever since I was 8, music has played a very central theme in my life. I had the divine privilege of finding  my confidence and voice on stage and rejoiced in being able to sing my heart out to share my greatest bliss, fears, and dreams. I achieved so many beautiful goals in my earlier music label days, from singing to a standing ovation at The Apollo, winning an online talent competition and $10k, doing a promotional tour in every major city in the US with dancers, performing with Pat Benatar, and charting on Billboard twice to name a few highlights. With the help of my music label, management, songwriters, producers, and booking agents at the time- I was able to live my dream fully.  I will be forever thankful for the team and individuals  who supported me and nurtured my talents in my earlier life. 

After having my children and putting all my energy in being the best mother I could be, I was completely aching for more musical moments. I had shifted full time into entrepreneurship, and spent most of my time away from music and in the land of cosmetics. 

My spark to re-enter writing, recording, and performing music started after my father, the best man I will ever know, got diagnosed with terminal colon cancer. After that illness claimed his life 14 months after he was diagnosed, I felt an unrelenting need to find myself and develop as a songwriter and musician once again. I heard the whispers from my Dad, my spiritual team, and my higher self pushing me towards my new musical goals and showing support and love at each step.  They showed up late night when lyrics came pouring out of me, as well as in the studio as I felt their enthusiasm and support during the more difficult vocal sessions. 

And with that, my next musical chapter had begun. This time, I wanted it to be my authentic productions. I sourced every single track on “Anthem” myself, wrote each and every track solo, and found and secured my own studio time. Destiny would lead me to the best engineer and producer in the world; and at the same time I met and flew out the best photographer Sandra for photos, self funded this entire new journey through my business Shara Makeup Studio (along with Shara Cosmetics and Shara Skin), and said f*ck it to my deepest fears of failure. 

After all, this is who I truly am and we only have one lifetime to life out all our deepest passions. Working with a label and with a large team, I never had the chance to express myself musically and artistically fully. Without anyone telling me who I should be or look like, how I should sound, and what music I should write- I was freed up to just be me and do me.  Bring on the freedom and fun!

Without any demands, no one telling me when release day would be, I set sail to cultivate my own music production company- Shara Strand Productions. It has been incredibly healing to let myself develop how I want to as an artist. This collection of music happened in the most organic way. Starting by writing a song in honor of my Dad, and then wanted to celebrate the relationship I have with my son- one by one- these songs were writing themselves. 

Over the last year of being at Engine Room studios, working with music genius engineer and producer Phase, I have had the biggest laughs and the most soul quenching musical sessions. I truly feel that the audience who needs to hear my music will find it and have no fear as I am totally living in the present. 

There are no deadlines to my dreams, as there is no deadlines to anyone’s dreams and passions in life. Sometimes things aren’t linear and nothing is handed to you; sometimes it’s just  more abstract. We just need to create and trust the universe will deliver our manifestations. 

 I could not have imagined a better life path, and I’m incredibly grateful to hear the call of my higher self and surrender to my deepest desires- to create my own brand of music! Thank you so much for being a part of it all!