Life & Work with Sherayah of Santa Ana, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherayah.

Hi Sherayah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m just a gal chasing a dream. I grew up in Modesto, CA and as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to music. I would write my own songs and poetry after school. As I got older, I started to become afraid of my dream to do music. I was just… scared. It felt beyond me. And, after a while, I didn’t think I could ever do it. I knew nothing about the music industry or music theory, I was just a kid from the Central Valley who moved to Orange County and was trying to figure life out. By the time I got to my mid-20’s, I was in a place in my life where I was feeling incredibly unfulfilled and I knew that I hadn’t done what I truly wanted to do up till that point. I had both a huge fear of failure and a fear of my limitations. It felt like a big pressure building the more I ignored it. I knew that I needed to get over myself! I started songwriting and sharing music, just with family and friends at first, trying to find my courage, but, slowly, my dreams of music finally started to come alive again. I started attending open mics, and decided to start putting myself out there. The more I did it, the more I grew. The more I challenged myself, the more I became confident. Now, at this point in my creative journey, I enjoy the work and sharing my creativity and my songwriting with others.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not a smooth road. About 3 years ago, I started going to some local open mics. As I was driving to one in particular, I began to feel like this whole music thing was pointless and was questioning myself again. Am I wasting my time? Am I helping anyone, or is this selfish of me? Why would anyone want to hear me? By the time I arrived at the open mic, I was so frustrated and insecure, that I didn’t even want to play…but I already drove all this way to get there. I put my name on the list, and finally, it was my turn to play my song that I wrote, “Where the Flowers Don’t Grow”. Now, this is literally a song about perseverance, and as I sang, I was reminded how you just have to push through the noise. Well, after I finished playing, the person running the event asked me if I was interested in performing a set at a showcase. My first gig!

It certainly wasn’t easy at first, my biggest challenges were internal: doubt, fear, and self-applied pressure. I was afraid of failing, of not meeting expectations, and didn’t really believe in myself. Since then, I keep growing in my own journey as a songwriter, and I’ve learned to hold my creativity with an “open hand,” which has allowed me to enjoy the art form so much more! I’m also incredibly grateful for the support of my family, community, and my husband, Mark, who is my co-writer and producer. Ultimately, sharing music and connecting with others makes all of the struggles worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a singer-songwriter who focuses on going deep! I write about the scarcity of time, embracing mortality, the pursuit of dreams, and the reality of true love. I want to write songs that draw listeners beyond the surface. My goal is for my music to address these themes and land in a place of hope and perseverance. I hope to help those wanderers who are searching for meaning, the dreamers searching for a home, and those who feel they’ve lost their direction and don’t quite fit in. I feel the most fulfilled when someone shares with me how a song has touched them or helped them. That has got to be one of the greatest rewards, to make art that serves people!

Beyond the music itself, I am most proud of the community and the friendships I’ve built along the way. The relationships created through music are the most wonderful legacy to leave.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Songwriting is a discipline that asks for vulnerability. Every time I write or share a song, I’m revealing my innermost thoughts and exposing my fears and hopes. When I released my first single, “Blue Moon”, a song about questioning your purpose, I was absolutely freaking out! I kept looping the same questions over and over: “Is this any good?” “What will people think of me?” “What if no one likes it?”

Putting myself out there like that always feels like a risk, but I believe that risk is a part of growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sherayah.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherayahmusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sherayahmusic
• Other: https://linktr.ee/sherayahmusic

Image Credits
Mark Batstone