Shehan set to release new music this year
Pix courtesy Shehan Somaratne
Coming from a musical family, where his mother and grandmother played piano and his father played oriental violin, the script was already straightforward.
Music would be instilled into his being at an early age for Shehan Somarathne (30). The passion was a hidden unknown, but through careful guidance by one of the most prominent influences in Sri Lankan classical / operatic music; Meneka De Fonseka Sahabandu, the moulding process was ensured to be second to none.
Shehan is a ballad singer who has gained international recognition. Currently working on his third single “Do You Know,” he tells us the the plan is to incorporate the Bristol Metropolitan Orchestra to help him with the recording of the orchestration. So far the plan involves releasing his next two / three singles this year, and then have his own show at the end of the year in UK and in Sri Lanka with other artists who would like to perform with him.
]As far as his musical inspirations go, artists such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, John Mayer, John Legend, Andrea Bocelli, A.R.Rahman, Shankar Mahadevan are his favourites. Genre-wise he tends to lean towards romantic/ pop-ballad/ alternative music. But that’s his inclination and he genuinely feels comfortable with it.
As for Shehan, music is the way he connects with anybody. And especially with original music, the sense of connection is much greater for him. “It’s always an absolute pleasure to hear people come up to you and say that they connected with the music or, the story, or the performance” he says.
One of the most humbling experiences he has encountered in his music life was having a crowd sing back the song he composed. “This to me is still something that I can’t comprehend. Just knowing that it’s not just me who is bias about my own compositions, but that there are others out there who appreciate the music I create.”
“The story of the rabbit and the tortoise comes to mind,” he says when he talks about being relevant in the industry. “But then again, I don’t want to be recognized when I’m 60 either. Currently, the rate of output needs to increase. But obviously various obstacles come in the way and you need to re-route your journey. My key to success would be to be original always, persistence, and believe in your own identity. Once you believe in yourself, then you find that niche that believes in you as well. Will like the music you play. Which will then gather momentum if the music you make is genuine and done with a true heart. End of the day, it’s an expression, a story-telling, and no matter how many scantily clad ladies you have on a music video, the true timelessness comes when you connect beyond that ever-changing materialistic layer,” he says.
For budding artistes Shehan says, “Learn your art, get good at it, don’t have an ego and think your god’s gift, and don’t be afraid to be criticized. There is an overwhelming sense of satisfaction you get when you can say, “I created that”. So, thrive to create and use the skills you’ve acquired to produce your own message in a bottle,” he concluded.