{"id":17114,"date":"2017-03-06T09:37:01","date_gmt":"2017-03-06T16:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/?p=17114"},"modified":"2017-03-31T12:44:24","modified_gmt":"2017-03-31T19:44:24","slug":"video-feature-web-exclusive-interview-shani-rose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/2017\/03\/video-feature-web-exclusive-interview-shani-rose\/","title":{"rendered":"VIDEO + EXCLUSIVE &#8211; SHANI ROSE"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>VIDEO FEATURE &amp; WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1>Musician:<strong> \u00a0SHANI ROSE<\/strong><\/h1>\n<h1>Music Video: \u201c<strong>Stronger Together<\/strong>\u201d<\/h1>\n<h2>Shani Rose partners with Whole Planet Foundation<\/h2>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jAXhRkMq1Ng\" width=\"660\" height=\"371\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Shani Rose is embarking on a new journey which appears to have limitless possibilities. She has partnered with Whole Planet Foundation, and along with another singer-songwriter, Katie Ferrara, they begin \u201cThe Road Less Traveled Tour\u201d on March 8 in their hometown Los Angeles. This is a unique tour of free performances at five Whole Foods locations in Los Angeles, Palm Desert, Phoenix and Tucson, with their final performance in Austin\u2014during SXSW.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-17125 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shani Rose, Whole Planet Foundation\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-1.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>These two talented rising artists and innovative business women are pursuing their own unique path to success in the music industry. By combining their talents on this tour, they hope to serve as role models and an inspiration to other women looking for alternative methods of achieving success in music and arts. The Whole Planet Foundation\u2019s Musicians for Microcredit mission reflects their personal mission to encourage fellow entrepreneurs to create successful businesses by blazing new and creative paths.<\/p>\n<p>Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that alleviates poverty worldwide where the company sources products. The nonprofit\u2019s mission is to empower the very poor living in developing-world communities with microcredit loans\u2014and the chance to create or expand a home-based business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty. In September 2016, Whole Planet Foundation began funding microlending programs through microfinance partners in the U.S. and across 69 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, supporting 9.5 million people with a chance for a better life. To date, the nonprofit has authorized $71.7 million and disbursed $61.4 million through microlending partners worldwide.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17124\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-2.jpg\" alt=\"Shani Rose-2\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-2.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Shani Rose (<em>pronounced Shah-nee<\/em>) graduated from USC Thornton School of Music, receiving a Masters in Music Education. She went on to be a featured artist at the world famous Universal CityWalk in Hollywood, and headlined the 5 Towers mainstage, where she released her 2013 debut studio album <em>Merry Go Round<\/em>. After three west coast tours, gracing stages at the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW and abroad, Rose achieved notable success for her songwriting\u2014she reached the semifinals and finals in the prestigious Mountain Stage NewSong Contest and Unsigned Only Songwriting Competition.<\/p>\n<p>Inspired by her influences (Adele, Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor and Norah Jones) when she was studying jazz piano, songwriting, and composing at Thornton, she decided to record her music. She honed her craft by combining relatable, heartfelt lyrics with catchy melodies, and that is one of the many reasons she has developed a strong and dedicated fan base. Although she has been influenced by diverse musicians, Rose has a voice all her own\u2014one she describes as \u201csoulful crunch.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>We talked with Shani Rose about \u201cStronger Together,\u201d her first single from the upcoming EP <em>Lift Off<\/em>, set for release in Spring 2017. She is passionate about her music, and determined to carve a path of her own. Rose is dedicated to creating her own business model. With her strong lyrics, infectious tunes and captivating smile, there is no doubt Shani Rose will make her mark in the music industry\u2019s new wide-open musical landscape.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>SHANI ROSE Web-Exclusive Interview<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>with\u00a0<em>M Music &amp; Musicians<\/em>\u00a0magazine publisher, Merlin David<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>How did the idea for \u201cStronger Together\u201d evolve?<\/strong><br \/>\nI wrote \u201cStronger Together\u201d last summer, while I was searching for the right producer and trying to move forward in making my EP, <em>Lift Off<\/em>. At that time, things weren\u2019t lining up, and I was feeling a little lost with where to start, and just feeling alone in the process. What I realized was that sometimes we can\u2019t do it alone, and it\u2019s OK to ask for help\u2014because two has much more strength than one.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17123\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-4.jpg\" alt=\"Shani Rose-4\" width=\"660\" height=\"990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-4.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-4-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-4-300x450.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us about your involvement with Whole Foods.<\/strong><br \/>\nWhole Planet Foundation, the charity organization of Whole Foods, helps alleviate poverty by providing microcredit loans [small loans] to women entrepreneurs around the world\u2014so they can kick-start their businesses. They recently started a new program called Musicians for Microcredit, and late last year I was fortunate enough to begin a partnership with Whole Planet as a Musician for Microcredit.\u00a0I immediately connected with what they do\u2014the moment I had that first phone call with their team. The thought that I could use my music and passion to give back and to inspire others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams was so fulfilling to me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>How did the Whole Foods Tour evolve?<\/strong><br \/>\nAs we spoke about ways we could collaborate, I came up with the idea to do a Whole Foods tour. Little did I know, my friend and tour partner Katie Ferrara, also had the same idea\u2014she asked me a few days later if I wanted to do a Whole Foods tour with her. It seemed like it was meant to be. So Katie and I joined forces, created a business plan with a budget, and presented it to Whole Planet. They loved it, and ran with it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What is one of the goals of this tour?<\/strong><br \/>\nAs women in the music industry, and as the industry is changing, I think it\u2019s really important\u2014now more than ever\u2014for artists to find alternative, nontraditional paths to reach success in what we do.\u00a0With this tour, I hope to inspire other women entrepreneurs\u2014both in the microcredit program and within the music industry\u2014to start their businesses and pursue their dreams.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us about the \u201cStronger Together\u201d single release.<\/strong><br \/>\nIn addition to the tour, my single<em>\u00a0<\/em>\u201cStronger Together\u201d<em>\u00a0<\/em>[released Feb 23], plays a role in my partnership with Whole Planet. The song aligns perfectly with the loan model that Whole Planet uses in their program, which requires loan recipients to form solidarity support groups, making the women in the program truly \u201cstronger together.\u201d This perfect fit of music to model inspired me to make my \u201cStronger Together\u201d music video in partnership with Whole Planet. This video will be released with the official EP release in May.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17122\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-5.png\" alt=\"Shani Rose-5\" width=\"660\" height=\"442\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-5.png 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-5-300x200.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is your creative process for writing songs?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy writing process is constantly evolving, but I usually start with a melodic idea, a lyric line or a title. Then I build on this, adding more lyrics, more melody, and go back and forth until I find the right combination\u2014kind of like adding different colors to a canvas. I also write a song differently if it is for me as an artist or for another artist\u2014or even for a TV\/film project.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tell us one favorite experience where something unique inspired you to write a song.<\/strong><br \/>\nThe song that comes to mind is \u201cListen to the Music.\u201d A few years ago, a friend\u2019s baby was in the hospital with meningitis, and the family was going through a really rough time. It broke my heart to hear about the situation, and I wanted to do something to help, but didn\u2019t know what because they lived far away. One day while I was driving to work, the melody of \u201cListen to the Music\u201d popped into my head, and I ended up writing the rest of the song that same day when I got home. I realized that this was the way I could help this baby girl and her family\u2014through music. Later that day, after I sent my friend the voice memo of the song, she said it was the only thing that helped her girl fall asleep that night. That song has since become very special to me, and has also helped me through my own tough times. The baby girl is now almost three years old\u2014happy and healthy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What songwriting tip would you like to offer?<\/strong><br \/>\nTell your story but tell everyone else\u2019s story as well. The way you connect best with your audience is when you write something that\u2019s personal to you, but the listener feels it\u2019s about them too. Keep your ears open. There are stories being told and lyrics being said everywhere around you. Sometimes you just have to listen. And a friend of mine wrote this in an article: Write a lyric that is \u201ctattoo-worthy.\u201d If you could envision someone tattooing this line on their body, then you\u2019ve got a good one.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17121\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-6.jpg\" alt=\"Shani Rose-6\" width=\"660\" height=\"632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-6.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-6-300x287.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Who inspired you to write songs?<\/strong><br \/>\nJohn Mayer\u2014definitely his lyrics. He finds a way to say the same thing everyone else has said a million times, but in a different way. To this day he is still one of the songwriters I listen to when I need to calm down, decompress and let myself know everything is going to be OK. Also Coldplay, Sara Bareilles and James Morrison, among many others.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top 5 Musicians\u00a0who inspired you to become a musician?<\/strong><br \/>\nJohn Mayer, Sara Bareilles, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Norah Jones.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What instrument<\/strong><strong>\/equipment can you not live without\u2014for writing, recording, performing?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy Casio Privia\u2014I street perform and gig a lot on my own, so I love how it\u2019s so light, and I\u2019m able to still lug it around. It\u2019s got a great sound\u2014and wonderful weighted keys too. I also love the sound of my Martin Guitar, and how it fills up the spaces I play in\u2014no matter how large or small. There\u2019s warmth to it that I love. I love being a TC-Helicon featured artist, and <em>really<\/em> love their Play Acoustic vocal harmonizer. I started using it to fill out my sound as a solo performer, and it helps me present myself as a sort of one-woman band. I take it along with me to all of my gigs and people are amazed at the quality of the harmonies, and how they sound authentic and real.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17120\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-7.jpg\" alt=\"Shani Rose-7\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-7.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>What PRO are you with, and how do they help an artist like you?<\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019m with BMI. They have acoustic lounge events where I perform. They setup writers with other writers. And they are always a sounding board for my new projects.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are your Top 5 favorite albums of all time?<\/strong><br \/>\n<em>Continuum<\/em> (2006)\u2014John Mayer<br \/>\n<em>The Awakening<\/em> (2011)\u2014James Morrison<br \/>\n<em>X&amp;Y<\/em> (2005)\u2014Coldplay<br \/>\n<em>The Idan Raichel Project<\/em> (2006)\u2014Idan Raichel<br \/>\n<em>Songs for You, Truths for Me<\/em> (2008)\u2014James Morrison<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17118\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Top5-Albums-Shani.jpg\" alt=\"Top5-Albums-Shani\" width=\"660\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Top5-Albums-Shani.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Top5-Albums-Shani-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best advice someone has given you.<\/strong><br \/>\nMy mentor, Chris Sampson, songwriter Cathy Heller, and many others have shared their knowledge with me through the years: Patience and perseverance. There\u2019s no such thing as an overnight success. Enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best advice you\u2019d like to give upcoming musicians.<\/strong><br \/>\nAlong with the advice given to me about patience and perseverance, everyone\u2019s got their own story and no one in the world will look like yours. Focus on yours, and don\u2019t compare yourself to anyone else\u2019s story. While you\u2019re working hard, make sure you remember why you\u2019re doing music in the first place.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s next?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy tour partner, Katie Ferrara, and I will be embarking on \u201cThe Road Less Traveled Tour,\u201d stopping at Whole Foods from LA to Austin. We\u2019ll be spreading awareness about Whole Planet\u2019s cause, while performing in alternative venues for alternative audiences. We\u2019ll be culminating the tour in Austin for the SXSW music festival, where we will be playing a few showcases. After the Whole Foods Tour, it\u2019s my EP release, my music video in partnership with Whole Planet Foundation, and hopefully a larger tour as well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where can new fans get more info and stay updated?<\/strong><br \/>\nShaniRose.com<br \/>\nFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube: @ShaniRoseMusic<\/p>\n<p>You can also download the new single for Free:<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/noisetrade.com\/shanirosemusic\/stronger-together-single\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/noisetrade.com\/shanirosemusic\/stronger-together-single<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-17119\" src=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-3.jpg\" alt=\"Shani Rose-3\" width=\"660\" height=\"902\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-3.jpg 660w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-3-219x300.jpg 219w, https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Shani-Rose-3-300x410.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VIDEO FEATURE &amp; WEB-EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Musician: \u00a0SHANI ROSE Music Video: \u201cStronger Together\u201d Shani Rose partners with Whole Planet Foundation Shani Rose is embarking on a new journey which appears to have limitless possibilities. She has partnered with Whole Planet Foundation, and along with another singer-songwriter, Katie Ferrara, they begin \u201cThe Road Less Traveled Tour\u201d on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17130,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7725],"tags":[8825,2391,2601,8379,8826,8827,5893,8677,844,3990,8828,8155,8829,1674,8830,7566,3277,3010,7978,8831,8832,1178,1640,2310,8833,8834,8835,8836,8837,3269,1798,8838,8839,8840,8841,8157,8842,8843,8844,8645,8845,8846,8847,7982],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17114"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17114"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17187,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17114\/revisions\/17187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17130"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mmusicmag.com\/m\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}