Welcome to Almost Famous, a weekly segment where we ask up-and-coming queer musicians some not so hard-hitting questions about music and life and maybe even convince them to share photos of their pets. Get to know intimate details about your new favorite artist or band before they hit the Big Time and become too famous for us to interview for real.
Header by Rory Midhani
She King
Toronto, Canada
If you were ever a fan of Michelle Branch circa The Spirit Room then you’re really going to love Shawnee She King, an Aboriginal artist from Toronto who writes stellar pop songs with big hooks, polished production and plenty of vocal power. It came as no surprise to learn that She King’s recent accomplishments include being invited to tour with Roxette and Glass Tiger and asked to record a song for a show that’ll soon air on the The Disney Channel.
She King’s latest single, “Mirror Me”, recently hit #1 on Canada’s National Aboriginal Countdown Top 40 chart and #1 on my iPod. Check out the music video below. Later this year she’ll be releasing a new single and embarking on a tour across Canada and the United States, which will include several Pride events.
How do you describe your music?
My music is all over the place, it depends on the mood I’m in when I’m writing it. It can be serious or quirky but it’s always full of life and passion.
What instruments do you play?
I play a bit of guitar and piano. I forced myself to learn when I realized that writing music required it. I mostly only play to write though, it’s not very often you’ll see me perform with either instrument. One of these days I am going to learn how to play to drums.
Which song would you most like everyone to hear?
It’s hard to pick! My songs “This Is Me” and “Mirror Me” are from the most vulnerable times of my life and I often get emotional when performing them. They are very close to me.
What do you get up to when you’re not making music?
I’m almost always working on my career, learning new things that will help make me better. I spend time at the gym. I’ve also been learning how to shuffle- it’s a type of dance that I’m addicted to. I spend a large amount of my time on the business side of my music career. For me it has been just as important as making music.
What are the best and worst things about touring?
The best part about touring is getting to meet all of the amazing people that listen to my music. The worst part? I do not enjoy sleeping on a tour bus.
Five words to describe yourself. Go.
Passionate. Emotional. Trustworthy. Stubborn. Determined.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I prepare my voice by warming up my vocals and I prepare my body with a warm up. I try to keep busy before a show because the worst thing I can do is sit around and wait.
If you could share a line-up with any two other artists?
Elvis is the bomb! If only… and probably P!nk.
When you’re super famous what will be the name of your autobiography?
Good question. Lighting This Life.
Describe a perfect day.
Hanging out with the people I love most is special.
If you like what you’ve heard, be sure to catch She King live on her 2013 This is Me tour. Also check out She King on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
If you are, or know of, a queer artist or band that should be featured in Almost Famous, drop me the details via crystal [at] autostraddle [dot] com. Please write ‘Almost Famous’ in the subject line!
I definitely like Michelle Branch so she sounds very interesting. I do love this column Crystal.
Hey did that email work last week? I hope I sent it to the right place.
Got it! And will read it very soon.
I am guaranteed to be a fan of anything following this statement: “If you were ever a fan of Michelle Branch circa The Spirit Room then you’re really going to love”
Good find on She King, Crystal.
Michelle Branch circa the Spirit Room was SO GOOD.
1) Love. this. Also love the Michelle Branch reference.
2) Friendly note that the links to her FB, Twitter, etc. at the end are broken because AS is trying to search within itself and is getting confused. :)
Thanks for letting me know – fixed!