This week’s Track of the Week comes from BIMM Institute London graduate Shébani. Her honest lyricism and warm vocal tones sound like a personal journal, aiming to act as musical therapy.
Check out her latest track, ‘Burn Me Out’ below!
Describe your new track in three words….
Honest, warm, heartfelt
What inspired you when writing this track?
I was going through a particular situation, and it was heavy on my heart. I couldn’t see any way past it except for me to write through it, and luckily, that was kind of my therapy. The song is a metaphor for a cycle that repeats itself; the emotional trauma, gaslighting and trust issues collected from one relationship and brought into the next. You know it’ll be different, but there’s still a tug of war taking place inside your mind, hoping for your new love to not see your pain as “crazy”, but in fact, help you heal and understand that you’ve been hurt. Often, we are stuck in between healing and succumbing, but ‘Burn Me Out’ emphasises we should always choose to heal.
Are there any artists that inspire you when writing?
Absolutely, so many! NAO has always inspired me. She is a beautiful lyricist and an incredible soul. The way she works through her career, her mystical songwriting skills, and how she commands an audience, that’s what I aspire to become.
What would you say makes your music unique?
My music explores people’s deepest vulnerable emotions and turns what is commonly seen as a weakness into powerful melodies and remedies. It’s like a very honest and potent journal, with stories always ready to unfold.
Do you have a process you follow when writing a song?
Not precisely, I feel like my process is highly scattered, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I have a handful of approaches to writing music, which keeps it exciting for me. I could pick up an instrument, start with the melody, begin with lyrics or just a concept/title, or try out different sounds on my midi keyboard. It all depends on what I’m feeling at that very moment. At times, I just want to pick up my guitar and stay away from my laptop, or vice versa. I find that it all meshes pretty well eventually; everything sort of meets in the middle.
How has studying at BIMM helped you develop as an artist?
Studying at BIMM Institute has hands down been some of the best years of my life. I met incredible people and artists, and I discovered so much. My favourite part about BIMM is the safe environment it creates for the artist. I was able to make mistakes without feeling judged, I was accepted just the way I am, and that was a very important part of who I’ve become today. It taught me to continue asking questions, making mistakes, learning from them, and working hard for what I want in life. And of course, it was a lot of fun. I miss it so much!
What’s next for you?
A lot! I’m very close to releasing my debut album, and that alone is such a massive step for me. It’s been almost two years in the works, and I can’t believe that we’re closing in on the release date. This album is everything I am; it’s my heart and soul poured out into nine songs. I’m so proud of this project and the direction it decided to take. I trusted my gut feeling, and let the art work its magic. I learned so much through the creation process, not just musically but also about myself as a woman, an artist and most importantly, a human.
