Rising Stars: Meet Shela Solomon of Belton, Missouri

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shela Solomon

Hi Shela, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
From a young age, my dad fully immersed me in all things relating to music. As a guitarist who has played everything from blues to heavy metal for most of his life, he was always practicing and writing songs as I listened. One of my earliest memories is asking my dad to play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ so I could sing along with him. From then on, I realized that music was going to be a big part of my life.

As I got older, I started to lean into my Mexican roots. My mom and sister are from México City, México, and immigrated to the U.S. in 2000. When I was growing up, my mom listened to everything from mariachi to pop and even Brazilian bossa nova. My mom continuously encouraged me to sing in Spanish which led me to discover songs like ‘La Llorona’ and artists like Natalia Lafourcade and Lila Downs. Listening and watching videos of them perform, I became heavily influenced by their powerful and emotional vocals.

When I was twelve, I began my journey at the School of Rock in Lee’s Summit, where I started taking vocal lessons and learned how to be in a band. I was involved in the School of Rock for about six years and had the guidance of many teachers throughout my time there. However, AnneMarie McLaughlin and Evan Sula-Goff were my most notable mentors throughout my journey at the School of Rock. AnneMarie’s powerhouse vocals inspired me from the start. She gave me the confidence that I needed to use the power that I naturally have and own it as a young singer. Evan shared his knowledge of the music business with me after being signed to a major record label with his band 8Stops7 years prior. His knowledge of the business, combined with his knowledge of singing, helped me make my voice into what it is today. Both of my mentors taught me that singing is not some cookie-cutter, black-and-white talent that you either have or don’t have. Singing is a wide spectrum that we can all fit on, and we all have a voice to find. They gave me the confidence and understanding to embrace the uniqueness of my voice, which plays a big role in why I am still singing today.

I graduated from the School of Rock in September 2020 and took a two-year hiatus from performing. I was eighteen, and the pandemic was in full effect, so I took it as an opportunity to learn more about who I am and what I want. I found myself longing for the stage again and decided that I was going to fully immerse myself in music for good. In April 2022, I started working as a vocal instructor at the School of Rock. This solidified my passion for music on a whole new level as I began to share my knowledge with students in the same position I was in all those years before.

Aside from School of Rock, I started to make my musical presence known in the KC music scene. I had grown up around the scene through my dad, but trying to make my presence known as a musician was a whole new ball game. As I started to establish an identity outside of others, I learned the importance of authenticity as an artist and embracing who I truly am.

I am also very grateful for the incredibly supportive music community that we have in Kansas City. Over the past ten years, I have met amazing friends and mentors who have encouraged me and taught me lessons in building my brand. My current teacher, Maddison Odgen, has taught me so much about how to run my business as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Watching her confidence on and off stage is truly inspiring.

I am 22 years old and have a band called Shela & The Hot Toms, which I run with my partner and our best friend. My family still plays a massive role in my music journey as they continue to offer endless support and encouragement. Although I am at the very beginning of my story, it has been an amazing experience. I am so excited to see where this road takes me and whom I’ll meet on the way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This past year, everything kicked into gear for me. I met my bandmates, and we started Shela & The Hot Toms. It took us a while to decide what our vision was and how we wanted to bring it to life. I noticed the difficulties that came with being a full-time musician. Learning how to run a business and holding myself accountable was a hard adjustment to make. As a woman, I’ve also felt the pressure of having to prove myself and what I know to those around me. It can get overwhelming and hard at times, but I think it is really important to be confident in yourself and surround yourself with people that value you for who you are.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a musician, singer, and vocal instructor. I’ve performed in South Dakota, St. Louis, and all over KC. I mostly sing with my best friends in Shela & The Hot Toms, but sometimes you can find me singing with my friends in Madd Honey on a very special occasion. I am also working to become a solo musician and writing my own songs. I am very excited to share a more personal side of myself through my music and the songs I play.

As a teacher, I am proudly known for helping my students find confidence in their voices by using the same teaching philosophy that my vocal instructors taught me. I am a firm believer that anyone can sing. Our vocal cords are muscles; the more that we work them, the stronger they get.

I feel that I am mostly known for my powerhouse voice and stage presence. The diversity and range of my voice and my ability to connect with the audience through my witty personality are what sets me apart.
I am very thankful that I can do what I love for a career and will continue to pursue my passions for as long as I am able.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can support me and my band by following us on social media under Shela & The Hot Toms on all platforms. You can also find my socials under Shela Solomon. You can also support me by coming to a show. I play all over, and you can find my upcoming shows on my Facebook and Instagram. If you would like to work with me, please private message me on any of my social platforms and I will get back to you! I love working with all musicians and seeing what our creative minds can do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shela.music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557187198499