Shaela Miller mixes a catchy sense of pop music with a more indie sound, with the result being her amazing new song, Mourning Tonight. She’s also had her music featured on a few TV shows, which shows just how talented this young artist is! Find out more about Shaela below!

By Jane Howkins

You recently released a new single titled Mourning Tonight. What can you tell us about the track?

I wrote Mourning Tonight while I was deep in the throes of grief after losing a dear friend of mine. It’s about the volatile emotions we can feel as we navigate through complex feelings of grief and sorrow whilst juggling day-to-day tasks. When I first began writing the song, it was very slow in tempo. When I came back to it later that evening I decided it needed to be an upbeat dance song. A great example of the unpredictable moods we experience during suffering a loss.

How has the reception to Mourning Tonight been so far, and where can it be purchased?

The reception has been great. People seem to really like the dance party vibe of the song. They tell me they are very excited about the new musical waters I am exploring. Mourning Tonight can be purchased on BandCamp until the album drops. Then the physical copies (vinyl and CD) will be available to purchase through the Neon Moon website.

You have a new album coming out soon, titled After the Masquerade. What can you tell us about the record and when will it be released?

After The Masquerade is a trip back to where it all started for me. Except this time, with years of musical experience, wisdom, and the capabilities of delivering my heart’s desire. It’s an homage to the music that inspired me in my youth, and continues to inspire me today. I bought myself a synthesizer in 2019. Which was before I even released my last country record – Big Hair Small City. I started to jam with members of my band with it for fun, and considered starting a new wave side project. As I started to write songs for this project, my band members and peers encouraged me to do what they knew I wanted to do. Embrace change and continue to make the music I wanted to make, like I have always done. If I made another country record, it would have been for the people, and not for myself. And that’s just simply something I could never do.

I think of this record as my lovechild of my lifelong love affair of new wave and classic country. Perhaps it has less classic country stylings than it does new wave, but that’s the way I wanted it. After The Masquerade will be released March 22, 2024.

Do you have any singles planned for release soon?

In My Dreams will be the focus track we are releasing with the album. It will be available along with the rest of the album on March 22. In My Dreams is an epic, anthemic song that comes straight from the saddest and most vulnerable place in my heart. I wrote it after waking from the most vivid and intense dream about a dear friend of mine I lost. The same friend I was grieving when I wrote Mourning Tonight. When I awoke from this dream, I was crippled with the pain of losing him all over again. So I processed these emotions the best way I know how – through song.

Your music has been featured on numerous TV shows, including True Blood. Do you have any more TV projects on the go in the coming months?

Nothing in the works as of now. I am passionate about the art of film. Having someone use my song in their film project is one of the biggest compliments and honours I can receive. It is actually one of my dreams to be the music director of a show/movie.

Your music has an alt-country/country-rock sound. What/who were you most influenced by when making the record?

I would say all my previous records had that sound. This record is more new wave/indie-pop than it is alt-country. I grew up listening to a lot of new wave/post-punk music. Some of my favourite bands of that genre are Depeche Mode, The Cure, New Order and Joy Division. When we were in the studio going back and forth with mix revisions, I would say to my producer (Graham Lessard) “it’s almost there, but not quite Depeche Mode enough”. He knew exactly what I meant because we both share the same love for the band and genre, which is why I chose him to produce the record.

Where are you based? What is the local music scene like in your area?

I am based in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. It’s a small city of 100k. A lot of people told me over the years that I would have to move away to a bigger centre if I ever wanted to succeed in music. I have always said that it doesn’t matter where you live, as long as you leave sometimes and build connections in the bigger cities. It’s better to have a smaller community supporting you than it is to live in a bigger city and have to fight so hard to be heard and establish relationships where there are already so many other talented artists living there, fighting the same fight. It can become very cutthroat and incestous. Lethbridge has an amazing music and arts community and I try to give back to it in every way I can through showing them the same support they give me.

Do you have anything else exciting coming up in the next few months?

We will be doing a juicy western Canadian album release tour starting on March 22 until May. Releasing this album is the most musically exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it and to see the live show we have worked so hard on.

Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?

Not yet! But touring the UK is high on my list of things I am aiming to do in the near future!

Any last words for the fans?

I just want to thank all my previous fans for their continued support in this new musical adventure I am on. For staying on the journey with me. And for all my new fans, thanks for listening and I can’t wait to see you out there. xo