‘My soul music is my daily dose of dopamine’
View(s):- Sri Lankan-Australian lead singer of popular Melbourne band Fulton Street, Shannen Wickremasinghe, talks of her musical journey and debut single
By Shanali Fernando
“The best songs come from the heart.” This old phrase speaks to the profound connection between personal experiencesand the art of songwriting. For Sri Lankan-Australian songwriter-musician-singer Shannen Wickremasinghe, music has always been a way of storytelling.
Shannen, lead woman of Melbourne’s popular soul band Fulton Street, has just released a compelling music video directed by Michael Irwin (Valiant Film Company) – ‘Love Dressed Down’, which she hopes will be her breakthrough single.
Shot over five days, the video portrays the story of the song, with events running backward in time exploring the slow disintegration of a long relationship. Co-written with talented producer/musician Patty Boomba, Shannen’s stunning vocals bring out the themes of disappointment, introspection, and ultimately, healing. The poignant lyrics tell a relatable story of feeling alone in a relationship, and how over time, a lack of care can culminate in a ‘stripping back’ of love.
Shannen talked us through her journey thus far in music and about her new release.
Born in Melbourne to Sri Lankan parents she fondly reminisces about her childhood days filled with music. “It was my grand uncle who introduced me to guitar and singing,” she recalls. Growing up around musical instruments and melodies her parents decided to nurture her growing love for music by getting her into a choir. “I started singing at a young age in the National Children’s Choir, and then went on to study at the David Jaanz School of Singing for eight years, under the guidance of my vocal coach Tania G. I sang at Sri Lankan alumni events and weddings and performed at some major venues such as Ormond Hall and Chapel Off Chapel which are definitely highlights of my music career,” Shannen said.
The band was her own idea., “During my university years I stuck a flyer on the notice board calling all soul-loving musicians around campus which led me form my band Fulton Street which was a group of 10-13 passionate musicians from all around campus.” Currently in its 12th successful year, they perform soul, funk, and a mix of R n B at some of Melbourne’s live music venues such as Riverboats Festival, Moomba Festival, Boogie Festival, and Tasmanian Wine Festival.
Shannen with other Fulton Street band members
In 2019, Shannen started her independent record label, Stoic Records, with long-term band member and friend Jamie Stroud. After “being called out for not writing from my heart by my friend” it was a fun day at the park that saw the first few lines of ‘Love Dressed Down’ her debut single take shape.
Moving from the strong powerful voice that her Fulton fans were familiar with to a more soft delicate tone with her debut single, Shannen feels she now has enough confidence that grew with her throughout the years of building up the band from scratch and learning on the go on how to manage a band, as well as the technical aspects of music. “Always follow your gut and don’t hold anything back,” she says.
A primary school teacher during the day, her otherwise quiet introverted personality transforms into the soulful R’N’B lovin’ diva who takes on the stage and touches the hearts of listeners. “I am so grateful for my stable 9-5 job where I get to dance and sing with the young ones during school. But after school hours it’s my soul music that gives me my daily dose of dopamine.”
Listen to her debut on YouTube through her channel SHANN.N
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