Today we’d like to introduce you to Seersha.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’ve always been pretty good at selling–in fact, that’s where my career started, in corporate B2B sales. 5 years ago, work was great but I was going internally numb. Working 50-70 hour weeks selling something you don’t really believe in leaves little energy for creating. I hit the wall and left to give music a real shot. I took acoustic gigs anywhere and everywhere–art festivals, coffee shops, sports bars, corporate events. I put out an EP with no real unifying sound. I wrote commissioned songs for couples getting married. I cut vocals for some demos. Looking back, I was throwing whatever I could get my hands on against the wall to see what would stick.
Somewhere along the way, probably after a demoralizing wallpaper gig at a restaurant, I got it into my head that I didn’t want to be an artist; I didn’t want to tour and perform; I didn’t want to produce (I’d never done it before, where would I even begin?); I just wanted to write songs. Sitting in a room with other writers all day churning out songs was my dream come true, I thought. My mentors looked at me quizzically (“Are you sure?”) but dutifully sent me to Music City to pursue a publishing deal.
It took me less than 6 months to realize the reality of sitting in a room churning out songs like a machine was not a dream–it was my personal nightmare. I had found a way to turn the free, creative expression I loved into a formulaic, impersonal and frankly corporate activity. How could I possibly have thought this is what I wanted?
The human mind craves safety and resists change. Getting a corporate job felt safer than pursuing a career in music. When my mind lost that battle, staying behind-the-scenes as a songwriter felt safer than finding my voice as an artist and producer. With the help of some pretty amazing people in both Nashville and Atlanta, and armed with Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, my mind lost that battle, too. I moved back to Atlanta in October 2016 and wrote and self-produced my debut record in Ableton in 3 weeks. Seersha comes from the phonetic spelling of Saoirse, which means freedom. I’m finally giving myself the freedom to find my voice and my sound. It’s not easy. It’s not safe. But it is mine.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a recording artist, songwriter, and music producer. I play all the instruments (guitar, keys, vocals, beats) on my records with the exception of live bass (played by my good friend B.E.N). I produce in Ableton and I am constantly trying to grow in terms of sound design. I spent a lot of years thinking I couldn’t make music a career or produce music myself because I didn’t see examples of minority women like me doing that. So trying to let others know that you can give yourself permission to pursue your passion is a big “why” for me.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Feed and nurture your inner artist. I’m constantly reminding myself of that. And don’t limit yourself. So many times in the past I told myself I couldn’t or shouldn’t do something from a creative standpoint, sometimes consciously, sometimes subconsciously. But I think being aware of that and not putting yourself in a box will accelerate your growth.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I don’t have a lot of media online right now because I’m getting ready to re-release my record, but a follow on Spotify, Soundcloud, or IG is super helpful. Checkout the video Weston Manders directed for my single “Typical” last summer that Immersive Atlanta premiered last year (http://immersiveatlanta.com/video-premiere-seersha-typical/).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.seershamusic.com
- Email: seersha@seershamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seershamusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seershamusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeershaMusic
- Other: https://soundcloud.com/seershamusic/
Image Credit:
Dan Almasy, Dennis Nop
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