Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Shara Strand

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

My earliest memory of music is listening to musical theater at home alongside artists like Bette Midler, Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, and Ella Fitzgerald, mixed with the incredible 80s and 90s music that was always playing. Music felt emotional and grounding before I even understood why — it was simply part of the air I breathed. I also remember being in kindergarten, creating my own songs on the playground, making up lyrics to melodies I had absorbed at home. Even then, music felt like magic and a natural form of self-expression.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

My passion for creating music truly began when I let go of fear and allowed myself to fully claim that I am a creator. Once I did that, music poured out of me effortlessly. Throughout my career, I often had to fight for the opportunity to sing my own songs — I was frequently handed covers or asked to perform someone else’s material. That struggle only deepened my desire to create in my own voice. The more I had to fight to be heard as a songwriter, the more certain I became that creating original music wasn’t just something I loved — it was something I was meant to do.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

My current music project represents a long journey of becoming — trusting myself, reclaiming my voice, and choosing authenticity over fear. My debut album, Love Forever, was released in June, and at its core it carries a simple but powerful message: at the end of the day, all we truly have is love. Love in every form — romantic, self-love, communal love, and the love that carries us through loss, resilience, and growth.

Now, I’m heading back into the studio and entering a new creative chapter, exploring a more 70s and 80s–inspired, retro, live sound. It feels exciting, soulful, and fun — like an expansion of the same message expressed through a timeless musical lens.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

Emotional, cinematic pop with soul. It’s warm, honest, and expressive — music that feels intimate yet powerful, with melodies that linger and lyrics that mean something. There’s also a healing quality to it, leaving space for listeners to bring their own experiences and feel their own journey through the music.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

I learned that less can be more. When I stopped trying to impress and started trying to feel, everything shifted — vulnerability became my strongest creative tool. I also realized that my individuality is my calling card. I don’t believe in being boxed into a single genre or sound. I remember an acting teacher at NYU once telling me I should express myself more in one “color,” and that never sat right with me. I want the freedom to explore whatever emotion, style, or feeling is authentic in the moment — without anyone dictating how I should sound or how others should experience my music.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

My voice is always the starting point. Melodies, lyrics, and the core song idea come first — that’s where everything begins. From there, piano-based writing, thoughtful production, and collaborative sessions help shape the track, always letting emotion lead the technical choices rather than the other way around.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

I’m always drawn to artists who feel timeless rather than trendy — music rooted in emotion and storytelling. Lately, I’ve been listening to “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean on repeat. It has such a beautiful, retro, easygoing vibe that feels blissful to listen to. I love how the vocals feel slightly strained and imperfect — they come straight from the heart.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

Completely. I think of my music as a journal of my life — every song represents a chapter. Love, loss, motherhood, reinvention — all of it lives in the music. There was a moment when I truly told myself I was done with music because of how difficult and disillusioning parts of the industry had become. Some of those experiences shook me deeply, and I convinced myself I had gone as far as I could.

But when I lost my father, everything shifted. It forced me to confront how short and fragile life truly is. I realized I needed to do what made me genuinely happy — not just for myself, but so I could bring light to others. Creating music is my mission, and I’ve promised myself I will never abandon that truth again. My life and my art are inseparable.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

Hope, connection, and reassurance. I want listeners to feel less alone — like someone understands them and is walking alongside them. Even when the world feels cold, life feels overwhelming, or it seems like you’ve lost everything, it’s never truly over. You can always pick yourself up and begin again. At the end of the day, love is what carries us through — and love is all we really have.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

That truth resonates louder than perfection. When something is real, people feel it — no matter how simple it is. Music has also taught me the importance of surrender. I can show up, work hard, and give my best, but at the end of the day I’ve learned to trust that everything unfolds for a reason. We’re never fully in control, and letting go of that illusion has been one of the most powerful lessons music has given me.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

I’m drawn to venues that feel intentional and deeply connected to storytelling — places where the audience is truly listening. A dream for me would be performing at Carnegie Hall – Zankel Hall. It’s intimate yet iconic, and it honors music that comes from the heart. It feels like a space where emotion, artistry, and presence truly matter.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I’m drawn to artists who led with emotion and strength — those who were fearless in their honesty. Elvis Presley has always deeply resonated with me because I feel he was spiritually aligned with his music in a way that transcended time. I would also say Michael Jackson, because he is one of the greatest artists of all time. His artistry, innovation, and emotional impact shaped music on a global level.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music?

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/78hDwdwxE0CUqznlRtVloa?si=9bUjJr1ySbWplVBugKmLTQ

Instagram: @sharastrand and @sharamakeupstudio

YouTube: www.youtube.com/Sharastrand

Website: www.sharastrand.com

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

My dream is to continue creating music that truly matters while staying independent and in control of my artistic journey. I want to perform on stages around the world, expanding my reach while remaining deeply aligned with who I am. I also envision continuing to merge my music with my makeup business, because at the heart of both is creativity as a form of healing. For me, it’s all about expression, connection, and bringing light to others.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

That I’m real. That I’m not perfect, and that I’ve lived a beautifully flawed life — I’ve loved, fallen, and risen. Everything I create comes from a place of honesty, strength, and heart, and I hope listeners feel that truth in the music.  That I will never give up.

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