Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaunna Heckman.
Hi Shaunna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in Bayfield, Wisconsin, a small town on the shores of Lake Superior. Bayfield was an eclectic place to grow up. I was surrounded by many artists and musicians and was always involved in the arts as a kid. When I was 16, I sang in an acoustic duo. My friend and I would busk and perform at the local coffee shop. Her dad had a studio and we recorded our first demo. This was the first time I had ever recorded my own music. Little did I know this experience was going to set me on a path to future in music. In 2000, I moved to Duluth, MN for college. I found musicians to collaborate with soon after I arrived and continued to play with a variety of bands and musicians over the next 10 years. My electronic music projects began in 2006, which is a pivotal moment in my career. I had met a couple of DJs that were looking to start a project similar to Portishead. They were interested in working with me because my voice reminded them of Lou Rhodes from Lamb. I had never heard of Lamb, but once I started to dive in I was hooked.
Over time things started to get more difficult coordinating with band members. I had a clearer vision of what I wanted my sound to be and it was frustrating that I wasn’t able to produce it on my own. In the summer of 2012, my son Oliver was born. I paused on music to focus on motherhood. That first year was full of ups and downs, as many experiences when they become a parent, but my desire to continue making music was still there. In 2015, I launched a Kickstarter campaign for my ‘Modern Electronica’ project. This was successful and allowed me to get the gear I needed to record my first electronic album, Wanderess. I started using Ableton and incorporating synths and vocal processors which showed me many different paths in creating the material. There were endless options and I was excited to enter this sonic playground. In 2016 I released my EP Spotlight. After recording this, I realized that I wanted to expand beyond what I was doing both independently and collaboratively. I began networking with producers I was inspired by to propose an opportunity for collaboration. My first vocal feature was with Yppah on a track called Dreams Like You. Since then I’ve been fortunate to have additional collaborations with artists including I Am Snow Angel, Felix Snow, The Outlaw Ocean Music Project and Phaeleh.
In 2017, I discovered an organization called Beats By Girlz. Discovering this couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time. After learning more about this organization, I knew I had to start a chapter in my city. It was an opportunity to develop and practice my production skills and teach young women how to make electronic music. I started the Duluth chapter in 2018 and it has been growing since. I also work on the global team, primarily in partnerships and professional development. I love doing this work and have been provided some amazing opportunities being a part of this organization. This past July I went to NYC to interview 5 artists, producers, and engineers about their work and life, and in September I attended a songwriting and music production workshop in Boston for and with Kimbra. I am incredibly grateful for the tools and resources I am provided both as an artist and an educator.
When the pandemic hit, my life completely changed. I made some hard choices in order to take the necessary steps to move forward with the life I wanted. I studied at Berklee Online from 2020-2022, manifesting my career goals and grateful for the education I received. As a music producer living in northern Minnesota, it has been important to learn about all of my options of being able to have a career in the music industry. I am fortunate to be able to tap into this incredible network of individuals I have for mentorship and more connections. This has greatly changed the direction of my music career. With my focus being on music production and business, I am learning how to wear many hats which is expanding my opportunities. My EP Hi/Lo will be released on January 13th. I’m exploring new markets with this music and I’m excited for 2023. I feel it’s going to open new doors and I look forward to seeing what unfolds.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It is never a smooth road:) The biggest struggle for me is committing to a passion that isn’t financially consistent. There were so many times when I thought I should just move on to something else but I’ve had to learn to dig deep and trust the process. If you put the work in, build your network and find those opportunities, they will come. It really came down to believing in myself and having the confidence to continue moving forward. Within that, being disciplined with my time management is crucial. That isn’t always easy when I’m trying to juggle everything else. Additionally, it was really hard for me to trust that I could produce music myself. Working in an industry as a gender minority has its challenges. I was always worried about what others would think, whether I was good enough and working through imposter syndrome. I was belittled, had my work picked apart and had to learn how to shut it out and truly realize it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. It has taken a lot of work for me to build that confidence and I’m still working on it. It has been an important process to go through because I believe so much of understanding this development is valuable. I try to bring this awareness to my students in hopes of helping them feel empowered and confident in their own journeys.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am really excited about where I am at as an artist in my life right now. It finally feels like things are falling into place and the direction I am headed is making sense. Things are working and opportunities are happening so I feel a strong push to keep going. There is a rhythm, momentum, inspiration and a much clearer vision of how to continue developing and moving forward. I’ve shifted from singer/songwriter to more of the role of a music producer. I’ve come to realize that this shift into producing my music is where I am thriving. I am ok with not being a great songwriter. Lyrics have always been hard for me. I think about them too much. However, I am still able to sing and use my voice which is what I consider to be my primary instrument. As an electronic musician, I love being creative with how I sing and how I can manipulate my vocal samples to become an entirely new instrument. I am putting more emphasis on how I am using my voice rather than what I am saying. I enjoy the challenge of using my voice in a multitude of ways. I think this helps set me apart from others and define my sound. I’m in full creative control when it comes to executing my vision. I find that when I’m intentional, magic happens. I’m good at networking and continue to reach for what I want. I’m really proud of the opportunities I’ve had. I’ve worked with some incredible artists. I am excited about the future of my music. And being able to gauge how I’ve evolved and further developed my skillset both personally and collaboratively.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I wish I’d had more confidence when I was younger. It was easy to get caught up in the competitive nature of being a performer and constantly worry about what others thought. I would highly encourage those starting out to be true to themselves and trust in that. Manifest your dreams, be aggressive in networking and meeting people and be consistent. It’s not easy, but if you believe in it and you are committed, opportunities will happen.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shaunnaheckmanmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFl1KYpn49k
- LinkTree: www.linktr.ee/shaunnaheckman
Image Credits
Shervin Lainez
