Interview with Shea Arender

Lamitschka:  Music has many new fans throughout Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?

Shea Arender :  I feel like I’m a very diverse artist, from Jazz Standards , Love Ballads , Classic Rock, R&B to Modern Pop into the same concert, I’m Bringing a super-charged journey of harmony and musical illusions to the stage.

Lamitschka:  How was the last year for you? What were your highlights?

Shea Arender :  It was great, had a few road dates ,but mainly had my full time show in the theatre capitol of the World – Branson, Mo had over 148 Shows there last season and multi-platium recording artist James Marvell joined me up there as well for most of the season.

Lamitschka:  What is your latest CD and how’s it doing?

Shea Arender :  My lastest cd was my holiday record, it was compiled together with 4 originals I wrote and a Jazzy version of Blue Christmas.

Lamitschka:  How did you choose the title for the CD?  Is there a story behind the name?

Shea Arender :  Good Question, we were having me and the producers were racking our brains to come up with a name of a Broadway Musical project I was working on and my co-producer said, Dont you wish Every Day was Christmas, So i said ‘Thats it“ Every Day’s Christmas!

Lamitschka:  Do you write the songs yourself? If not, how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?

Shea Arender :  I write at least 70% of the songs but we look at songs that need dressing up or not finished and then complete them to our liking.

Lamitschka:  Please tell us about the songs on your album (influences, etc).

Shea Arender : The Christmas Love Affair and The Christmas I met you ended up being our singles

Lamitschka:  What is the difference between your last CD and your current one?

Shea Arender :  Im not working on the a full length album right now, I’m getting to release worldwide my new Pop/Rock song entilted ( I’m Not Me)

Lamitschka:  Your current single is being played by radio. What do you feel is special about this song that makes people want to hear it?

Shea Arender :  Its has a Classic element to it with all the horns and whistles of modern technolgy. Some people are still looking for songs and music that have 2-4 decades back influence without it sounded dated. It is a tune that anybody 5-85 years old could listen and say thats song is a story based and a catchy sing -a-long chorus. I’m excited about the release.

Lamitschka:  What will your next single be?

Shea Arender :  I’m working on serveral ones ha ha , not sure yet , we will see how this one goes

Lamitschka:  What kind of songs do you like to record the most?

Shea Arender :  Pop Style with a kinda Jazzy influence, I pride myself off of taking multiple genres and mix them together in one song or live concert.

Lamitschka:  What is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?

Shea Arender :  Problay the my newest one ( I’m Not Me) becasuse this is really my first Pop single I have released that was not a Tribute Cd or a Holiday Album. I wanted to write a song that had a good singable chorus line and something that could be an international hit and chart is multiple genres

Lamitschka:  How much creative control do you have over your music?

Shea Arender :  Alot, I think my relationship with the people I work with is strong, Nobody knows better than the artist himself right !? That let me wing my ideas all the time !

Lamitschka:  Do you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by your music?

Shea Arender :  Absolutley, that has been the biggest blessing of all, it to hear stories of people telling me how moved they were with the songs a wrote, the performance or just hearing somebody say WOW that took me back to an awesome place and time

Lamitschka:  Who inspires you musically and how deep do your musical roots run?

Shea Arender :  Well, I have been doing a Tribute to Elvis Presley since i was 7 years old, Have worked with major Las Vegas casinos and productions as i have recreated some of Elvis Presley shows in my style. Don’t be confused, It’s not an Elvis impersontion show. I remain Shea Arender on stage but do where the cotumes and already have a natural Elvis look. So I have recently released my new Book called ( Illusions of the King) that i tell my whole 23 year history and became the youngest national signed author to a book on Elvis. It was published in 2010, I was 29 years old.

Lamitschka:  What do you think about today’s music scene versus its post and where do you see it going in the future?

Shea Arender :  I think that todays scene is alot different , a lot, I personally think that todays music is not nearly is passionate, talent level not as good and the only thing good about todays music would be over yesterdays music would be sound quality.

Lamitschka:  If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

Shea Arender :  Everything, ( laughing) I would have a higher standard for radio friendly tunes, more chances for people in Jazz to be recognized, let the artist have a little creattivity with his or her music. Now you guys in europe have a bit better standard than we do in here in America. I noticed that the music scene in Europe opens the door for the World Music unlike the American Radio industry.

Lamitschka:  As an artist, you so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?

Shea Arender :  Touring, hands down ! The recording can be a little can be time consuming, and the interviews depending on who with ( laughing ) can be more about ones personal life than about the music

Lamitschka:  Are you doing anything to take music beyond its current borders or are you happy where it is?

Shea Arender :  I don’t think anybody is is 100% Satisfied, but i try everday to make it as good as I can as well as is Global as I can

Lamitschka:  What was your big break that got you into the music business?

Shea Arender :  The first time i got on stage in front of 1000’s of people i was only 12. Its was a rock n roll tribute show. I was playing a Tribute to Elvis and the roar of the crowd and the overwhelming response caught the eyes and ears of some Gulf Coast entertainment agencies and they put me to work !

Lamitschka:  Before you became a star, were your friends and family supportive or was it a struggle?

Shea Arender :  Mostly Yes, however it did cost me my marriage ! ( laughing)

Lamitschka:  What inspired you to become an artist?

Shea Arender :  The Passion, The Rush, The Feeling that i got from performing was some of my greatest momemts and feelings on this earth. I wanted to share my joy and passion with the World.

Lamitschka:  What’s unique about you that will differentiate you from other artists?

Shea Arender :  Diversity , being able to sing in any enviroment at anytime

Lamitschka:  When you get time off, how do you like to relax?

Shea Arender :  I like hiking in the mountains or relaxing at the Beach

Lamitschka:  Is there any place you haven’t played that you would like to?

Shea Arender :  I would love to play in England, They are dedicated fans there ! I have met several from there at my shows here in the states

Lamitschka:  What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?

Shea Arender :  Super-charged Journey of Harmony and Musical Illusions

Lamitschka:  When you’re on tour, do you have time to play tourist?

Shea Arender :  Yes, Always ! How can you not right !? It would be a waste of time and trip if you couldnt play a little bit

Lamitschka:  Do fans mob you everywhere you go or do they respect your privacy?

Shea Arender :  Depends, When i do my solo show they are a little bit more tammed but when I’m doing an Elvis Special they try to rip my suit off (laughing)

Lamitschka:  Many music fans today get their information about artists online. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?

Shea Arender :  yes www.sheaarender.com

Lamitschka:  What’s the best compliment a fan has ever given you?

Shea Arender :  Onetime after a show, an elderly lady that owned a major oil company from Houston, Texas USA said she was willing me all her money and fortune, but I never got a Dime of it ! ( laughing)

Lamitschka:  What’s your favorite song that you wish you could have recorded?

Shea Arender :  (Put you head on my shoulder.) I would have sped it up a bit and rocked in the 1950s

Lamitschka:  What message would you like to send your European fans?

Shea Arender :  God Bless you. I’m glad to have you. You guys in Europe are really are some of the most dedicated fans out there and seem to keep passing it on generation after generation

Christian Lamitschka ( CountryMusicNewsInternational@googlemail.com )