If you’ve ever wondered what experimentation taken to the next level might look like, look no further than prolific singer-songwriter Shye, whose full name is Shye-Anne Brown. Since this electropop talent burst onto the scene in 2018, her steady rise has caught the attention of critics and casual listeners alike. On top of winning Album of the Year at last year’s *SCAPE Youth Music Awards for her latest release ‘days to morning glory’ and Best New Artist at the 14th Freshmusic Awards, she has earned features on publications like NME, Mothership, and Female Magazine. In just over three years, her fanbase has grown to include listeners from Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand.
But making music wasn’t something she had pursued her whole life. For most of her childhood, she’d been most passionate about dance and theatre, with the occasional TV appearance her closest brush with fame. In 2017, Shye, then 15 years old, began writing songs in her bedroom to pass the time and learn something new. Shortly after she began exploring music production software Garageband, a series of serendipitous events followed. Her covers and originals started gaining traction on streaming platform SoundCloud, and her song ‘One Fine Day’ “blew up” on Spotify. Subsequently, she entered the indie music competition Vans Musicians Wanted after her mother saw an ad for it on Facebook. To her surprise, she came out on top at the Singapore showcase, marking the beginning of something big. Now, she’s making music while pursuing a Diploma in Audio Production at LASALLE College of the Arts.
Shye’s brand of music has evolved tremendously since her early days. While her breakout hit “999” is an upbeat atmospheric tune reminiscent of live music at your local dive bar, ‘love u‘ from ‘days to morning glory’ is drizzled with the sophistication of early 2010’s dream pop — think Cigarettes After Sex or Rhye. But we’ve brushed just the surface of her diverse discography, which ranges from disco-inspired ‘i’m fine, no’ to ‘not rly’, a foray into experimental territory.
Aurally, Shye’s single ‘how r u sleeping’ runs in the same vein as her most successful releases. But it hits different once you read the lyrics. Hearing her gently whisper, “I wonder when my eyes meet yours / Do they sigh?”, one can’t help but wonder how this young person so wonderfully manages to encapsulate emotions reserved for the old soul.
Having gone through her fair share of obstacles on her journey to self-discovery, Shye’s cool exterior belies her warm, caring nature. In an effort to understand her beyond her oft-mentioned interest in K-pop and fashion, The Ridge spoke to her about her journey so far, her single ‘how r u sleeping‘, and what keeps her going. To learn more about Shye in her own words, check out The Ridge’s interview with her below.
TR: Your journey into music is quite something! Is going with the flow part of your personality or something you learned to do?
Shye: I grew up doing dance and theatre so making music was very unexpected. I’m really thankful for my “happy accident.” So when it comes to my music, I suppose I do go with the flow in that sense. I rely on my gut feelings.
TR: How do you cope with the social pressures of being a student and an artist gaining recognition for your work?
Shye: It’s definitely challenging being a DIY artist and trying to juggle between being a student and an artist. However, I really love what I do and that makes all the difference. Of course, it helps that my parents are supportive and understanding and they give me the time and space that I need.
I think the only pressure I get comes from myself. I can get a bit impatient and critical of my work but I’m learning to manage that better.
TR: Your music can be characterized by its distinct dream-pop sound. For the music nerds out there, what is your favorite Garageband effect?
Shye: I started making indie dream-pop music because that was the music I was most into when I first started out. However, I think my taste in music has somewhat shifted over the years which has also allowed the music I make to evolve. I’ve expanded my soundscapes, although my music is still heavily influenced by electronic pop and techno. I still do all my writing, recording, producing, and mixing in my room. I guess one of the best things about Garageband is it’s free. And it’s a pretty good software to use when you’re just starting out. I honestly can’t remember what my favourite Garageband effect was, it’s been a while since I used it. I work on Logic Pro now, which is basically Garageband 2.0 but better. HAH!
TR: What is one misconception many people have about you?
Shye: I think the biggest misconception many people have of me would probably be that I’m an extrovert? I think many assume that when I’m actually quite the opposite. I can be awkward when it comes to meeting new people but I think I’ve improved. I’m also really more of a homebody and am quite happy staying home or spending time alone.
TR: I, along with many of our readers, relate to the experience you sing about in ‘how r u sleeping.’ How do you fight the urge to isolate yourself when you’re having a rough day?
Shye: First of all, I hope you’re doing alright. ❤️ Thank you so much for listening to the song, it really means a lot. I’m really glad you can relate to it and I hope it gives you some comfort.
I think being unable to sleep is a really big telltale sign of someone who’s struggling or troubled. Asking someone how they’re sleeping seems like such a simple question and yet it holds quite a lot of weight. For me, during these rough patches, I wouldn’t say I isolate myself but I feel it helps me when I spend time alone to collect my thoughts. I think when you’re feeling down, don’t feel pressured to go out or be with other people, or like you have to be productive and doing stuff. I think taking the time to allow yourself to rest is very important, especially in such a fast-paced world. But of course, it helps if there’s someone that you can trust and talk to, even if they cannot solve your problem.
TR: Has someone done or said something particularly impactful that you remember when you feel like giving up?
Shye: I remember the first time I had a really bad creative block. It was during the lockdown last year while I was writing pieces for my debut album. The block lasted longer than usual, and I was a little scared because I just assumed the worst—I can’t make music anymore. It was something that my Mummy said which was so simple: “It’s okay to take a break.” We always want to do our best, perhaps we have this idea that if we’re not doing or working on something then we’re wasting time, but I think it’s important to pace ourselves as well.
TR: On a related note, how have you been sleeping? Do you have any tips to help our readers sleep better?
Shye: Thank you for asking. I’ve been sleeping well and I hope all of you reading this have been too! I recommend having a nice soft pillow to hug and listening to ‘how r u sleeping‘ by Shye… 😉
TR: By the time this is published, it’ll be crunch time for students in NUS. Any recommendations for things to do or places to go to de-stress?
Shye: Personally, dancing really helps me to de-stress. Going for walks, [and] listening to my favourite songs [helps] too! You could also try to de-stress by streaming my music too, it might help.
TR: Any parting words for our readers? Or anything you’d like to plug?
Shye: All the best and TRY not to get too stressed! Please take care and stay safe. 🙂 I’ve got new music on the way so you can keep a lookout for that! I’m dropping my 2nd EP soon as well!