ABOUT SHONA
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”-Bob Marley-
It’s the feeling of sitting on the edge of your chair listening to one of your favorite songs,
while trying hard not to reach for the repeat button before it ends. Being hung on every word,
melody, and hook that is sold to you because you feel it to be no other way, now that’s music!
We long for those old souls who melt us, persuade us, and capture us with their heart felt vocals
and lyrics speaking of love and life. Singer-songwriter Shona McNeill, is, and does just that.
A voice defined by a musical melting pot, Shona exposes her audience to a fusion of the
Blues, Jazz, Country, Gospel, and many other musical styles all in one package. Often compared
to the likes of Bonnie Rae, Corrine Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, India Arie, Lizz Wright, and Joss
Stone, she embraces her musical freedom in her three song appetizer The Demo. Her soulful
voice sooths you with ease in songs such as 2 Years 2 Late, while uplifting you as she belts
out words of revelation and love in The Curse and I Woke Up. A young mind with wisdom
far beyond her years, she is able to entice the attention of a broad range of listeners. Perhaps
what makes her a guilty pleasure is not only her vocal range, but her ability to tell a story, and
naturally be herself. A journey just beginning with a chapter still unfolding, I present to you
singer-songwriter Shona McNeill and her introduction The Demo.
“I’ve always had a hunger for music and wanted to be a sponge and absorb all that I
could, explain Shona.” A graduate of UAB’s Music Department, she has had the honor of taking
part in studying vocally in both Classical and Theatre music. “Although that was not my main
genre of music to sing, states Shona, it opened my eyes to a lot and I have a great appreciation
for it.” Upon completing college Shona continued lessons while participating in plays such as
The Depot, with the Southern Broadway Theatre Company. “My main focus was getting my
music out there, adds Shona, so I began to write songs and ended up choosing three to record
for my demo.” With her demo complete she began to contact anyone she could to listen, but
it wasn’t until she reached out to a longtime friend that a door opened. “I use to perform for
Charlotte Cain at The Sweet Auburn Festival in Atlanta, Georgia when I was in my mid-teens.
It had been a while since we talked but I wanted her to hear my music, and was pleased when
she did.” With Charlottes help, Shona was introduced to the Artist Development Program which
is the opportunity that has landed her where she is now. With the release of The Demo, Shona
McNeill is ready to shed light on her musical style, giving a dose of herself to all who listens.
