Writing from the soul, NYC-based independent songwriter Sharell Bryant ponders universal insecurities, fears and heartache with vital, pop-leaning originality. Hailing from Philadelphia, the 28-year-old has always looked to music to navigate the unknown, and to process the pressures of trying to be your best self, every day. Detailing the intricacies of first loves, enduring friendships and simply trying to survive in a new city, Bryant embraces everything that’s thrown at her, with ear-worm worthy melodies and warm, rousing vocals. Now, on her debut EP, the songwriter brings together almost a decade of work that offers a poignant reflection of the past, while offering an optimistic lens for the future.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Michelle Branch was probably one of the first artists who made me want to write music. I used to listen to her album The Spirit Room every night while going to sleep and memorized basically everything about the songs. After that in my teenage years, I listened to a ton of Regina Spektor and Kimya Dawson on repeat. I would spend hours teaching myself their songs on the piano and guitar and just absorbing their musical and lyrical choices. They all really informed who I am as a songwriter.
Explain the title of your album.
I named my upcoming EP “Turn Me into a Diamond” after the closing song. The chorus is based off a group chat conversation with three of my best friends about a service where you can be turned into a diamond after you die and us riffing off of that but the imagery stuck with me. The other songs on the EP are covered in a lot of anxiety or grief and I wanted to end the EP with a song that comes at those topics from a more optimistic view.
Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
“wish you the best” from Joy Oladokun’s latest album featuring Jensen McRae. I became a fan of both of theirs at the start of the pandemic when discovering new music and artists was one of the things keeping me afloat. This is one of those songs where I immediately identified with the lyrics and the power of their voices together makes this one of my favorites to return to.
What’s the first concert you ever attended? What do you remember about it?
The first concert I ever went to was to see Avril Lavigne in the fourth grade! I got to go with my childhood best friend and definitely wore one of my dad’s ties over a t-shirt as my outfit. Live music was a really important part of my life growing up. Going to concerts always reinforced the idea of “I want to do that!”. I grew up in Philly and spent many nights of high school front row at the Electric Factory or in the basement of First Unitarian Church for whatever indie band I loved was in town.
Do you start off with the music or lyrics first? Why?
I usually start off with a hook where the melody and lyrics come together. Something short that I solidify by singing to myself and then capture quickly in a voice memo before it’s gone. I find that’s where the most honest lyrics and melodies come from, before I’m thinking too hard about either one. Then I’ll go back and usually flesh out the full melody for the song and also the story for the rest of the lyrics.
Sharell Bryant’s debut EP will be out on 11/4