A voice as soft as velvet

Her music has wandered the world and there’s no doubt it’s touched hearts along the way but now British-born singer/songwriter Shelley Harland has made her nest in Sydney.
After moving from New York four years ago, the singer will use Australia as the launching pad of her international music career with the release of her album Red Leaf this month.
Described as the next Carole King, Harland believes it’s her flair for songwriting and programming behind the comparison.
A lot of people have been referencing Carole King and that’s an amazing compliment, she told Sydney Star Observer.
I was hoping to create an album filled with songs people can connect to and that’s honest and something that can be played in twenty or thirty years time.
I think the production has helped with that as it’s very simple with no gimmicks or gadgets -” it is what it is. It’s a song you’re either going to like or not. There’s nothing covering it up.
Red Leaf was produced by David Skeet and was mixed in the legendary Abbey Road studios by Chris Sheldon, who has worked with the Foo Fighters, the Pixies and Radiohead.
While Harland has a passion for blending genres and thanks Fleetwood Mac, Morrissey and the Beatles for their amazing influences, she hopes above anything else that her album can touch the community, whether through her natural approach in the recording studio or her personal touches in the lyrics.
The thing with me and any song I have written is I never think it out too much and it is all in the moment and whatever I’m feeling is what I write, she said.
Sometimes, although it’s a very deep personal emotion, it’s actually got nothing to do with me as it’s something I feel from what a friend is going through or even if I watch a movie. It’s just a natural emotional trigger that comes to me and I write about it.
I’m also a big fan of creating different genres and styles of music as well. I really do love so many styles of music and I’ve never restricted myself to a sound and I plan on creating all types of music in the future and going with what’s right at the moment.
info: Red Leaf is out now. For more details on Shelley Harland visit shelleyharland.com.

Shelley Harland is launching her music career in Australia.