We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shelby Sol a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shelby , appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on is my debut EP, Solstice. Solstice is a four song EP that came to life during the pandemic. I wrote two of the songs around 2012, and the other two I wrote in 2020. Right before the pandemic hit, I had a few conversations with who would eventually become the Five5 collective. Prior to that conversation, I realized that I was denying the desire that I had to be an artist because I was afraid. I was afraid of putting out music that I thought I wrote for myself and I was being selfish with my gift. I usually write to express outwardly what I’m dealing with inwardly. But prior to Solstice, I’d never shared my songs with anyone. I felt they were too private and vulnerable. I didn’t know it at the time, but the songs that I thought I wrote for myself I believe were God given lyrics that would eventually be heard by people who have gone through similar situations. It’s important for people to feel heard, and to know that they’re not the only one feeling specific pain that we as people have a hard time verbalizing.

So, after having a conversation about putting something out, the pandemic hit immediately after. I was isolated like everyone else. But for me, it was great, because I got to spend time just making music. The isolation was something that I always wanted, but could never have because of all of life’s obligations. That time taught me how to balance more, and even be more present in relationships. These revelations helped catapult me into my artistry. I released my project in October 2020, and from there I was able to establish a strong presence in the Tampa music community. Being able to perform the songs on so many stages in my hometown, seeing the love that I received, and hearing people quoting the lyrics were all invaluable experiences for me. I have more music that I’m working on now, but I don’t think anything will compare to my experience with my very first project.

Shelby , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a singer/songwriter that sings primarily (neo) soul music. I grew up in a household that loved music. My mother and all of her siblings sing, and all of my siblings played some sort of instrument in school. I was inspired by my older sister to start playing piano when I was 6, and later in high school I started singing. My influences come from so many genres. I grew up, listening to gospel, but I love musicals, rock, soul, folk, hip-hop, jazz… pretty much anything but country. I love performing covers and originals around the Tampa Bay area, but I have a huge passion for local artists. My husband and I started our own show in October 2021 called The Sol Exhibit to showcase local artists and their original music. As artists, we know how important it is to feel the support from your community to even create your own opportunities sometimes, and that show lets us do that.

One thing that I think that sets me apart is that I am 100% my authentic self. The same person you see on stage is the same person I am off stage. I feel that the people that are drawn to me are the people who love who I truly am. My priority anytime I write a song or perform on stage is to share only what was given to me to share — nothing more nothing less. If after seeing me perform, or hearing one of my songs, someone feels seen, heard, or touched, then I did what I was supposed to do.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

A lot of people can tell shortly after meeting me, or after knowing me for a bit that I struggle in social environments. Learning to socialize was something that I truly had to learn, and not something that necessarily comes naturally. I get asked a lot how I can be someone who performs on stage in front of any number of people, but doesn’t necessarily like being around people. To me, it makes perfect sense. Creatives are probably some of the most mentally tormented people to ever exist. There are so many things happening in our brains that we are trying to sort through, deal with, and understand. And if we’re lucky, sometimes we can make external sense of it. Sometimes, the stage is the only place where I can have a one person conversation and be 100% understood without any judgment or pushback. When you’re in front of an audience sharing music, whoever is listening has to think how you think, has to receive what you have to give, has to take whatever you’re putting out. And if they don’t like it, they can leave the audience — it’s very simple. Any other interaction requires a level of work and engagement that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. It’s not necessarily that we aren’t interested or don’t care, but the constant thoughts that are dissecting every second of the interaction make it difficult to be present. Sometimes people can take it personally, and feel offended. I’m a lot better at it now than I used to be, but on stage or in the studio feels safe because none of that exists. I can just be present.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I like to listen to different messages from a couple of preachers that I like. One person’s teachings that I truly enjoy is Tye Tribbett. Around the time that I was considering becoming an artist, I listened to a message where he was talking about being the venue instead of looking for the venue. The whole idea is that people will know they have a certain thing they’re supposed to do or a certain calling or purpose for their life, but they’ll wait on other people to create the opportunities for them. After hearing that, it shifted my perspective, and gave me the desire to not wait on other people to do what I need to do. I grew up very quiet and shy, and naturally learned patience for other people that way, but at some point in my 20s, I had to learn how to advocate for myself. So, I already learned a lesson of patience, but I didn’t know how to be assertive. And that message gave me the perspective that I needed to start doing that.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://linktr.ee/shelbysol
• Instagram: @shelbysolmusic
• Facebook: facebook.com/shelbysolmusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCSK0VYBHNvELqYC24focREw
• Other: Tiktok: @shelbysolmusic