Ahead of her forthcoming live shows in London, Swansea and Cardiff, All Together Now winner, Shellyann Evans chats to Andy Howells about performing live.
“I feel absolutely amazing; it’s all been a bit of a whirlwind if I’m honest!” Shellyann Evans tells Andy Howells as they take time out to discuss the Swansea-based singers’ recent success on TV’s All Together Now and forthcoming live shows.
There’s a real warmth and bubbliness to Shellyann’s voice as she chats. None of her tones give away the fact that she only recently successfully moved a full house of 100 judges to stand up during her rendition of Sia’s ‘Alive’ on BBC1’s All Together Now and was crowned winner of the show attaining its £50,000 prize.
“I think there’s only one way to be and that’s just to be myself! – Shellyann plays Bush Hall, London on Wednesday July 3, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Swansea on Friday July 5 and The Globe, Cardiff on Sunday July 7, 2019.
For Rhondda-born Shellyann, a support teacher by day, the experience has helped her confidence.
“I forget the cameras are there,” says Shellyann as she discusses her TV appearances, “I think there’s only one way to be and that’s just to be myself. I just get my head down, I’m there to do a job. It’s like a switch, I’m there to bring home the prize! I just go into my own bubble!”
Back in 2015, Shellyann narrowly missed out on success when she featured on The Voice. However, her experience on the show proved invaluable and she applied what she learned into moving forward with her music career.
“I feel the last few years it’s taken me a long time to find my feet,” continues Shellyann, “I know who I am and where I need to go. It sounds cheesy but you need to grow as an artist, find the genre of music you’re into and your style and I feel like it’s finally there!”
“All of my family are singers; they would probably tell you who’s better!” – Shellyann plays Bush Hall, London on Wednesday July 3, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Swansea on Friday July 5 and The Globe, Cardiff on Sunday July 7, 2019.
Following her passion for music from a young age, Shellyann performed in local pubs, clubs and venues since the age of 11.
“All of my family are singers; they would probably tell you who’s better!” laughs Shellyann as she cites her grandmother and “family parties full of musical instruments and big voices” as early inspirations.
Shellyann adds, “From a very young age, I remember singing. I went to Treorchy Comprehensive School in the Rhondda Valley and sang at the Eisteddfod. It was a huge moment for me. From then on, I joined a youth group. We went over to Hanover in Germany to perform. My first gig was at 14, the more I sang, the more I have grown a little bit more confident as a person.”
A seasoned professional, Shellyann, who lives in Swansea with fiancé Pete, son Regan and stepchildren Josh and Holly has gained a reputation for compelling and show-stopping performances.
“For a long time, I was recording demos,” reveals Shellyann. “For Bonnie Tyler’s Hold On, I sang the demo in my kitchen for friends of mine who wrote it! I did that sort of thing for years but this time around I’m writing my own songs!”
“When you start writing your own music, it shows what kind of artist you are and for me it’s quite rootsy. Like a pop song with all the good bits of an Etta James song – that kind of thing. I’m a bit of old school as well. It’s the only way I know how. Just sing my socks off! “
“People are asking me for songs I performed on All Together Now such as Sia’s Alive. It’s such a hard song to sing but performing that got me everything I’ve got now.” – Shellyann plays Bush Hall, London on Wednesday July 3, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Swansea on Friday July 5 and The Globe, Cardiff on Sunday July 7, 2019.
Currently, fans can hear more of Shellyann via acoustic renditions of Get Here and Giant via Spotify. Then there is the chance to catch her live in July when she plays Bush Hall, London on Wednesday July 3, Pontardawe Arts Centre, Swansea on Friday July 5 and The Globe, Cardiff on Sunday July 7. (Tickets available from http://www.livenation.co.uk/artist/shellyann-tickets)
Shellyann is currently in the studio working on original material due for release later this year.
Discussing the forthcoming release, Shellyann says “People are asking me for songs I performed on All Together Now such as Sia’s Alive. It’s such a hard song to sing but performing that got me everything I’ve got now. Obviously, it’s got to be on there as well as the other two covers (Andra Day’s Rise Up and Pink’s What About Us), but also original music, it’s quite nerve-wracking really! I hope people like it!”