Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayla McDaniel.
Shayla, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Me in a nutshell: I’m a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer based in Knoxville, TN, who crafts alt pop/rock for deep feelers to feel less alone. My music has been featured on MTV, Disney+, The CW and more.
Long version:
I’m Shayla McDaniel, a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer crafting alt pop/rock for deep feelers to feel less alone. I’m based in Knoxville, TN, and my music has been featured on MTV’s “Siesta Key,” Disney+’s “Big Shot,” The CW’s “Nancy Drew,” and in retail and dining spaces around the world.
My sound blends honeyed vocals and alt pop-rock with a sweet spot between major and minor tonalities, pulling in a pan-genre appeal. Pristine vocals, breezy pop grooves, big hooks, and soaring melodies shape my pop sensibilities, while my soulful, guitar-driven alt-rock edge gives the songs depth and grit.
In a short time, I’ve been extremely grateful to hit some encouraging milestones. I’ve opened for Joy Oladokun at the legendary Tennessee Theatre, and performed at Rhythm N’ Blooms alongside artists like Young the Giant, Dave Barnes, Gogol Bordello, and Birds of Chicago. I’ve also played Sunset on Central, Dogwood Arts Festival, Waynestock Festival, Women in Jazz Jam Festival, and done live on-air performances for WUTK 90.3 FM, WDVX 89.9 FM, WOZO 103.9 FM, and Radio KCM. I’ve had songs land on Knoxville Music Warehouse’s Top 16 charts, been voted Knoxville’s Favorite Band, and received awards and nominations from the Knoxville Music Awards, CityView Magazine, Knox News, and the Oak Ridge Chamber Of Commerce.
Across my catalog, certain themes keep showing up, both lyrically and musically. I aim to write with honesty and intention. I don’t like to hide behind vagueness.
I process my feelings through my songs. Sometimes, I start out feeling confused or just neutral and let the music lead me, just see where the song goes. I often explore themes like loving others, loving yourself, and mental health. I truly believe that if you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to care for others. I’ve personally struggled with depression and anxiety, and now that I have more of a platform, I want to use it to share my story and shed light on mental health.
People have described my sound as what it might be like if John Legend fronted an indie rock band. I’ve also been compared to Rachel Chinouriri, MUNA, Joy Oladokun, Jensen McRae, Harry Styles, but at the end of the day, I’m just me. I sing with emotional clarity, play and produce my own music, and pull from an indie rock and gospel foundation. Some of my biggest influences are JOSEPH, Lianne La Havas, and Deep Sea Diver. Since releasing my first single in 2016, I’ve put out a debut EP in 2017, a second EP in 2019, my first full-length album in 2022, another EP in 2023, and a single in 2024. My next second album drops in 2026. Keep your eyes and ears open for new songs coming out that lead up to the album!
It actually took a little prodding to get me onstage. I’d been a lifelong musician, writing, playing, and producing in my room and basement, but I hadn’t shared my music publicly.
On June 2, 2014, I had the pleasure of going to a JOSEPH house show. They’re a band of sisters from the Pacific Northwest who deliver honest lyrics through genetically perfected harmonies.
The moment I first heard their music online, I thought, “This just might be my new favorite band.”
I had the opportunity to chat with Natalie Closner of the band. It came up that I was a singer-songwriter, and I told her how awesome I thought it was that they had planned, organized, and embarked on a nationwide tour all on their own. No booking agent, no label, just passion and grit.
She said something along the lines of, “We’re just playing in people’s backyards and living rooms. What’s stopping you from doing the same thing?”
Over the next few days, I started buckling down on songwriting. I cut out a lot of TV and scheduled dedicated time for songwriting and music practice.
My 2015 New Year’s resolution was to write a song a week and record my favorite one every three weeks with full-band production. By the end of the year, the goal was to have written at least 52 songs. I didn’t hit that number; I ended up writing 36. Shoot for the moon. If you miss, you’ll land among the stars.
In 2016, one of my friends, someone who knew my Type A personality and drive, encouraged me to bring my songs out into the world. I took his advice, and that decision changed everything.
I grew up playing music in church and in elementary school orchestra programs, picking up whatever instruments I could get my hands on. I started playing bass at church when the regular bassist left for college and left the instrument behind. My brother tried it first, but he wasn’t a big fan of it, so I picked it up, and it stuck. Learning to play by ear and with other musicians helped shape my musicianship early on. Over time, between school instruction on violin and lots of experimentation, I picked up guitar, drums, keys, and production.
I played my first record release show in 2017 and have been pursuing music professionally ever since. These days, I write, sing, produce, and record all the parts on my songs. I bring in outside engineers to mix and master (shout out to MiAH of The Sound Lair), but the core of the music is all me.
I feel like I’m stepping into my own as an artist more and more every day. Up next, I’ll be playing both solo shows and full-band sets locally and regionally. I’m especially excited about the chance to connect more deeply with people through this music. It’s been an uplifting journey so far. Music brings meaning to my life and helps me feel better. I hope it does the same for the people who hear it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all, but it’s been really fun. One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out what to do, how to do it, and when. There’s no clear or straightforward path to becoming a musician or building a sustainable career as an artist. The landscape changes so often that it can be tough to keep up.
Right now, my biggest struggle is marketing, specifically figuring out how to reach the people who would love my music. Social media is a double-edged sword. On one hand, I love that I can post a free video and a couple hundred people might see it. Imagining 200 people in a room listening to my music feels incredibly moving and encouraging. But on the other hand, organic posts, that is, posts that aren’t paid ads or boosted, aren’t reaching as many people as they used to, and often not even all of my followers see them. Social media marketing takes up a lot of time and energy, but it’s just part of the job now.
You can find my music on Spotify, Apple, and all the music streaming platforms, and get updates on live shows, new music, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content by joining my email community at https://www.shaylamcdaniel.com/signup
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer making alt pop/rock for deep feelers who want to feel a little less alone. I write songs about self-love, mental health, identity, and personal growth, and I play and produce everything myself in my home studio. My main specialties are songwriting, production, and bass, specifically 5-string bass guitar, with guitar as a close second. I’m best known for my songwriting and producing.
What I’m most proud of is being able to create music that’s honest and meaningful, and still grooves. I’ve had my songs featured on MTV, Disney+, and The CW, and I’ve gotten to open for artists I love. But more than that, I’m honored when people tell me my music helped them feel seen or got them through a hard time. Those random DM’s or comments from strangers especially, that means everything to me.
What sets me apart is the way I blend introspective lyrics with bold, soulful alt-pop-rock production and the fact that I do it all myself (aside from mixing and mastering): writing, playing, producing, and recording. In a genre where you don’t often see Black women, I feel like I’m carving out my own lane. I grew up playing gospel bass in the Black church, and that foundation shows up in my groove and harmonic sensibilities. My sound lives somewhere between JOSEPH, Lianne La Havas, and Rachel Chinouriri. I also love Paramore and share a similar background to Hayley Williams. My music is laid-back but powerful, and I try to bring that same energy into my recordings and my live shows.
Another thing I’m proud of, even if it’s less flashy, is my work ethic and professionalism. There’s an unfortunate stereotype that artists are flaky or disorganized, and I do my best to break that. I once heard someone say that just showing up on time already sets you apart in the music world, and I take that seriously.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is making a real connection, while both staying true to myself and helping others feel seen and less alone.
Music has always been my way to process life’s ups and downs, and it’s an incredible gift to turn my experiences into something that resonates with others. When someone tells me my music helped them through a hard time or made them feel understood, that’s the highest reward.
At the same time, I’m committed to showing up fully as myself, especially as a Black woman in alt pop/rock, a space where people who look like me aren’t always visible. I want to carve out my own lane with honesty and excellence, not just for me but to make this space feel more welcoming and empowering for others. Staying true to who I am, musically and personally, even when the path isn’t clear, matters deeply to me.
Ultimately, it’s about connection, integrity, and impact, using my music to reflect truth, hope, and the complexity of being human. 💙
Pricing:
- CD’s: $15
- Shirts: $28
- Limited Edition Vinyl Records: Pricing starts at $30
- Custom Songs: Pricing starts at $200.
- Pricing starts around $500 and varies based on event details (location, duration, setup, etc.). Please contact me for a personalized quote.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shaylamcdaniel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaylarmcdaniel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShaylaRMcDaniel/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaylarmcdaniel/
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@shaylarmcdaniel
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_-EWJgt5cFY8kwYatdJXVA
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shaylarmcdaniel
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shaylarmcdaniel
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1QlFYPaCbz3KRH9ElwsjZz
