93.9 WKYS is embracing local talent, and every Monday, we will prominently feature a local artist on the WKYS website.
If you would like to be featured on 93.9 WKYS New Music Monday please submit your song in an MP3 format, your photo, your bio and contact information to our DMV’s OWN page and every Monday we will feature a deserving local artist.
This week’s featured artist is Sheila Nychole.
Introduce yourself and describe your sound for anyone who hasn’t heard of you. What is “MoPop”?
My name is Sheila Nychole, I’m from the DMV area born and raised. I’m classical trained at Temple University and I’m currently a 3rd Side Productions artist. My sound, I would like to think I’m a soulful individual, I’m a lively person and my energetic sounds puts an eclectic spin on my music. I would say that I can’t be categorized, so it’s very hard to staple me down to one genre of music.”I’m literally surround sound” metaphorically speaking. This bring us to MoPop!!! I love the soul and the laid back energy that Motown delivered, and I embrace the high extremes that Pop stands for. So when you mesh together the two elements, this is what I spew out. I look at Bruno Mars and Janelle Monae– these are individuals that displays these elements within their music. However, 3rd Side just coined the name “MoPop!” Bottom line, it’s the energy of Pop mixed with the feel good sound of real R&B music from back in the day.
What are some of your musical influences?
I would have to say Whitney Houston, the purity and clarity of her voice, effortless. Lauryn Hill, her naturalism and her attitude/passion toward music. Lena Horn, her jazziness. Amy Winehouse- she set the bar for me; due to her originality. Last but definitely not least, Nancy Wilson–two words “Classic Sound.”
Do you write your own songs? What do you like writing about the most?
Yes, I do write my own songs, most the songs that I have out, I have written. I’m an emotional writer, my songs are generally blurred-vision truths that I’ve experienced. I love writing about relationships and conveying that through my music. I love writing about what others are going through and their experiences…RELATABLE EXPERIENCES. To sum it up, I love writing about REALITY. Not to mention, my favorite place to write is in my car.
What kind of reception have you gotten from your music in the DMV?
I believe I bring an element of surprise to the DMV. When people look at me they are not expecting such a powerful sound and once they get past the shocking element of my vocal ability, they gravitate to the realism of my music and see that it’s a relatable story.
What has been your biggest challenge as an up-and-coming female artist in the DMV?
Everything! Because the DMV is not particularly known yet. We are still government-based and not music-based. In the DMV you really have to go above and beyond. We are not as open to local artist, as we are to commercial artist. The support net for local artist here is weak, It’s constantly looking for validation from your hometown when they should be the first to stand in line to hear you. Due to this not being a music town the hurtles are a constant climb.
Have you collaborated with any other DMV artists?
Yes, so many. Black Alley Band, Da General, TCB, Kamila Gem, and 3rd Side’s own Yung Trae– I’ve done background vocals on Yung Trae’s popular underground track titled “Astro Boy.”
How are you different from other artists in the area?
There are a lot of artist in the area that are either labeled as Neo-Soul artist or Go Go artist; There is no medium! Granted the rapper population is growing. However, I stamp the DMV with a mixture of all styles, an undefined energetic sound that you cannot really find here. My mix of genres and my brand scream DIFFERENT! We are a very mellow area and that’s where I break the mold. I just don’t bring the mellow styles of Jill Scott, but I bring to the DMV a Jill Scott and Rihanna mix…that alone once again screams DIFFERENT!
What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects?
Look for my project to be released in the Spring of 2013. All I can say is… it will be worth the wait!
Where can we find you?
You can find me on 3rdsideproductions.com, reverbnation.com/sheilanychole, @sheilanychole (twitter), Facebook (sheilanychole).
Listen to Sheila Nychole’s single “Searchin” below!
Text “KYS” To 96230…Standard Messaging Rates Apply
Follow @939wkys for the latest celeb, entertainment and news!
— 93.9 WKYS (@939WKYS) October 24, 2012
Find us on Facebook!
Also see…
