Seattle based vocalist Dave Shanaé is the consummate embodiment of an artist, using his raspy voice to transform love, loss and his personal tribulations into enthralling melodies. Each track displays his inherent ability to craft relatable music by fusing his favorite sounds from childhood – be it Jazz, Soul or Pop Punk – with contemporary production and sensibilities.
He wields immense talent that when combined with his innate sensuality, has inspired comparisons to many contemporary Soul favorites including D’Angelo and Maxwell.
Q: What first got you into music? Who inspired you to make music?
A: Being a nosey only child I would listen to all the “grown” music my parents would listen to, I fell in love with the music they played from Erykah Badu to System of a Down. I consumed it all.
My mom has such a beautiful voice and the tone she voiced; my brain would always soak it up. Pops was and still is an amazing writer, and I was inspired by the poems he wrote and wanted to write my own.
Q: How would you describe the music you typically create?
A: I call it Atmospheric Tribal Funk, but I make what feels good creatively. I want to give an emotion others can feel when they hear it. It has funky tones, soulful energy, and tribalistic rhythms. I get my point across with singing and when I be a little bit in your face; rap.
Q: What song/project are you most excited about at the moment?
A: Most of my own music has been exciting to make, but I’ve been really heavy on Cleo Soul, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Toro y Moi, and the new Kanye.
Q: Which musician/producer/songwriter would you love to collaborate with in the future?
A: Honestly it would be really fire to work with Kevin Parker aka Tame Impala but of course I want to work with Pharrell, Tyler the Creator, and I wanna make something experimental with Donald Glover.
Benny Blanco would be fire to meet too.
Q: What would be your dream brand collaboration?
A: Besides New Balance (thanks guys)! A dope collaboration for me would to be on a HBO Max show or Netflix. Or video games like Fortnite, Madden, or 2K series and Clothing brands like Nike, Vans, and Reebok.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: Working on a lot singles, and then a couple albums after. Alongside practicing sewing cause fashion is so interesting and I’ve been learning how to make different pieces. Also, I have been writing scripts and wanting to work on more film projects.
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Check out his latest single “Smoothie”. And be sure to stay tuned for more funk, more soul and more unfettered emotions, as Dave Shanaé brings his evergreen love story to the world.
