Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shaynie Rhoads. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Shaynie, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
I don’t think most people expect me to play the kind of music I do. When I say that I play rock and metal, most look surprised. I get that I don’t look like the typical metalhead, but what is a metalhead supposed to look like, anyway?
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I front a rock band from Oceanside and we play all over San Diego! I’ve been in the performing arts since I was a kid, and the sound of my childhood is basically my parents’ music collection. When my dad picked me up from school, each drive had a different album and accompanying history lesson, and we’d binge on Headbanger’s Ball like every weekend. But music didn’t mean what it does to me now ’til I started playing guitar, especially once I got into learning riffs like Holy Wars and Ride the Lightning. I’m also from the era in which boy bands and pop punk reigned supreme, so bring all of those influences together and that’s what my music sounds like. If Metallica, Blink 182 and Britney Spears were fused into a single organism, you would get me.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I started college as a classical guitar student, I went from playing in garage bands to singing in the choir and performing in chamber ensembles. That was certainly a culture shock. I had to learn to walk the walk and talk the talk if I wanted to assimilate with the other conservatory kids, and I think I was eventually able to blend in where I could, but I always knew that I wasn’t where I truly belonged. I was also a cheerleader, and I didn’t belong there either.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Support live music! Hire live musicians, go to events that have live music, see as many shows as you can. My wedding was in February, and we had a rock show instead of a dance floor. Getting into my wedding dress and hearing the band’s soundcheck from inside the bridal suite that morning was pretty unforgettable. You can’t replace that kind of energy.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://shaynierhoads.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/shaynierhoads
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/shaynierhoads
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/shaynierhoads
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/@shaynierhoads
- Other: https://mailchi.mp/shaynierhoads/vip-list
Image Credits
Robby Gogatz, Felix Rhett