MusicsWeek: Who are your biggest musical influences?
Shelby Floyd: Growing up I listened to many strong women sing in different styles while riding around in my mom’s car: Alanis Morisette, Lauryn Hill, The Chicks.
MusicsWeek: What non-musical influences (books, movies, art, etc.) inspire your work?
Shelby Floyd: Reality shows have definitely influenced me, especially competition shows. “Project Runway” really exploded when I was a kid and sparked my creativity when it came to fashion. The instant fame of the reality star really captured my imagination because you could be from anywhere and put your talent on TV for everybody to see.
MusicsWeek: Is there a particular song or album that has significantly influenced your career?
Shelby Floyd: “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson. This is around the time I was learning to belt so I would find any excuse to be in the car and belt out her songs. It really taught me a lot about the format of a pop song: start low and tell the story in the verse, kick it up a notch in the chorus, and then kick it up again in the bridge! I still write like that.
MusicsWeek: How do your personal experiences shape your music?
Shelby Floyd: As a woman, we have a lot of pressure and importance put on our appearance and I’ve always felt that. Having curves and starting in musical theatre at a young age- the concept of looking like an ingenue vs. a character actress fueled insecurities. The way I feel about my body and the pressures I’ve felt about it throughout my life definitely inspire my writing. Also, being kicked out of my college conservatory was a big moment of disappointment and embarrassment and now is a big part of my story and my music.
MusicsWeek: Have your influences changed over the years?
Shelby Floyd: A lot of influences are the same because you just can’t beat the feeling of nostalgia!
MusicsWeek: How do you incorporate your cultural background into your music?
Shelby Floyd: My mom introduced me to classic movie musicals like Annie and The Sound of Music at an early age. Being the youngest of four kids I was doing a lot of performing to get attention!
MusicsWeek: What role does nature or your environment play in your songwriting?
Shelby Floyd: Nature is a big influence for me. I’ve loved camping since I was a Girl Scout and there wasn’t always a lot to do other than be outside growing up in Kansas. “Sad Girl Spring” is a song all about the rainy month of April (when I was born) and how that has influenced my personality.
MusicsWeek: When did you first realize you wanted to be a musician?
Shelby Floyd: When I was around 6 my sister and her friend were getting ready for a choir concert. I imitated them singing the Hallelujah chorus and her friend’s mouth dropped open. I was hooked!
MusicsWeek: What was the first song you ever wrote, and what inspired it?
Shelby Floyd: It was called “Better Place” which I wrote in the 7th grade. My cousin had passed away in a car accident and I had never experienced that kind of grief before.
MusicsWeek: How did you get started in the music industry?
Shelby Floyd: It’s a long story… I’ve dreamed of being a recording artist since about 12 years old. That’s when I first started trying to go the route of getting on a singing competition show. I saw American Idol and it really sold to me that you can be from anywhere, be an unknown, and if you’re talented enough it can blast you straight to California to make music. I wanted that fantasy to come true for me. I auditioned for several shows for over a decade and got close but it just never quite worked out. There were “almosts”s but ultimately I was never chosen. After a lot of heartbreak, I gave up on that dream. The financial and technical challenge of recording music independently was also daunting and seemed impossible. My mental health was really struggling post 2020 and I had basically given up on pursuing the music industry when I received an email saying that a loved one had submitted me for a reality show. My stomach dropped. It was exciting but also really scary because of my previous disappointments. My husband had secretly submitted me for a competition show called “Second Chance Stage” on Magnolia Network/Max. And spoiler alert, I finally got chosen! It was serendipity. They happened to film in Kansas City, I got a standing ovation from a big hometown audience, I made Taye Diggs cry, and I won the freaking show! That made recording music finally financially possible. Also, through that show, I connected with Brian Kennedy (another KC native) who attended the finale. He has written hits for Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, and more and he reached out to have lunch! He believed in me and what I spoke about on the show and was open to working with me on this project. So my husband and I went to LA and made music with him and his amazing wife Angelique Cinélu. Truly a lifelong dream come true.
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