Sloka Reddy: "Shine Like Me" (Feature/Interview)
How did you get your start in music?
I started my music journey when I was four years old. My parents always tell me the story of how I insisted on getting up to sing and perform on stage. Seeing how passionate I was to sing, they encouraged me by finding a local vocal teacher, and that's where everything began. The local teacher that I was beyond fortunate to be coached by was Jane McLain. She was my first vocal teacher who laid strong foundations at a young age for me. She was so much fun but at the same time, tremendously helpful for me to focus on fundamentals - techniques, stage presence, performance aspects, and musical theater songs. When I was six years old, I also started learning piano with Jane.
Growing up, I performed at local showcases throughout the Twin Cities and competed in the Minnesota State Fair Talent Contest. At ten, I began training with renowned Indian legendary playback singer S. P. Shailaja, which helped me grow and explore as a versatile vocalist.
Ever since I was little, my dream has been to become a pop artist that can inspire and connect to people around the world with my music.
Is music a big part of your family?
Music has always been part of our home. One of my earliest musical memories is singing along to "Let It Go" from Frozen, and pretending to stomp the floors as I imagined the floors turning into ice!
My dad had also dreamt of becoming a singer himself when he was young and so he still loves singing and dancing around the house for fun. My mom enjoys singing too and especially loves Indian light music.
Even though no one in my family is part of the music industry, they've always encouraged my passion, and I'm grateful to be building this journey with their support. Especially because I’m starting to explore what the industry is like and I’m just getting started, it all feels very new and exciting.
What artists and songs did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to a lot of Broadway and musical songs mostly. I also fell in love with tollywood and bollywood songs which are inspiring me as well. I enjoy performing those songs today.
As I explored different styles of music, I realized that pop was the genre I connected with most because of how versatile and expressive it is.
Some of my biggest inspirations are Michael Jackson, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Shreya Ghoshal.
Tell us about your first single! How did you come up with it?
My debut single, "Shine Like Me," is about choosing yourself, embracing who you are, and never letting anyone define your path. I actually wrote the song while sitting on my living room couch, thinking about what message I wanted my very first original song to share with the world and how I wanted it to sound happy, uplifting, and free.
I wrote it as a reminder that the brightest version of you comes from being unapologetically yourself. I hope this song makes people smile, dance, and feel even a little more confident in who they are. If "Shine Like Me" reminds even one person to believe in themselves, then it's done exactly what I hoped it would.
What was the technical process of making this song?
I am so fortunate that Roy found me in a singing cover I posted. We both, then connected through instagram. We collaborated and worked together for a year to finalize this project.
Traveling to Canada to record at The Singer's Company Studio was such a fun and unforgettable experience. There were many revisions, recording sessions, and vocal takes before we reached the final version that the world gets to hear.
Seeing the song come together from recording in the studio to hearing the mixing process and finally listening to the finished version was an incredible experience. As a 15-year-old, getting to witness every step of the process felt surreal because creating and releasing my own music has been my dream for as long as I can remember.
I'm incredibly grateful to have worked with Roy Hamilton III and to have brought Shine Like Me to life together.
What is the biggest message you want to bring to your audience?
"Shine Like Me," which was months in the making, was written to inspire anyone and everyone to simply be themselves and never let anybody take their shine away.Everyone has something unique that makes them shine, and I hope my music reminds people to believe in themselves, embrace their individuality, and never let anyone dim their light.
What has been the most challenging part of your music journey?
One of the biggest challenges has been learning to be patient.
Creating original music takes much longer than people realize, and I've learnt that every song goes through countless revisions before it's ready. There were moments when I wanted everything to happen faster, but I've come to appreciate the process because it makes the final result so much more meaningful.
I've also learnt that believing in yourself is just as important as practicing your craft.
Any good vocal health tips you can share?
I always make sure to warm up before I sing, and lip trills are one of my favorite vocal exercises. Staying hydrated is also really important, so I try to drink as much water as I can. If my voice feels tired or I'm getting sick, steaming and honey always help me recover.
Most importantly, I believe consistency is everything. I practice for about an hour every day to keep my voice strong, and I even catch myself humming throughout the day without realizing it. I think those little habits help keep my voice in shape and ready to sing.
Since I'm still 15, I know my voice is continuing to develop, so I think it's more important than ever to practice consistently and build healthy vocal habits now. I believe the work I put in today will help me become a stronger singer in the years to come.
What are your goals for the future?
My biggest goal is to create music that can inspire people around the world. I'm excited to continue writing and releasing original music, growing as an artist, performing live, and connecting with my audience through my music. I know this is only the beginning of a long and exciting journey.
