Today we’d like to introduce you to Shiela Gonzalez.
Hi Shiela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I think I always knew I wanted to be a singer. I would sing “Dreaming of You” by Selena on my little yellow CD player when I was like seven. I didn’t mind the rigidity of my piano teacher scolding me for my long nails during our summer lessons in Nicaragua. I was in choir all throughout high school (and some college), saw Matt & Kim play at my first concert when I was 15, attended SXSW every year since then, and started dreaming of performing at ACL about ten years ago now.
You would think all of that made it obvious that I was meant to become this. But I remember being 16 with a guitar looking at kids on the internet and thinking it was already too late for me. It wasn’t until a life-changing study abroad trip to Barcelona, Spain (funded by an emergency grant and loans, lol) that I came to the conclusion… I knew I would hate myself 1000x more five years later if I DIDN’T try and wondered “what if?” than if I gave it my all and sucked at it.
So I did what my 19-year-old self-thought was best. I got an inspirational tattoo and said ‘fuck it’ to studying neuroscience and being scared of failure (or success).
Now we’re here, six years later, and I’ve had the wrong manager, had no manager (still independent), played sxsw, landed my dream job, made a band, lost my dream job, lived through a pandemic, disbanded the band, made another band (except with dancers), played ACL (and ACL Nights), got nominated for Austin Music Awards Best Latin Artist, booked sxsw again for 2022, and relocated to Miami.
I’ve also brought people to tears with my music and been brought to tears by their love. I’ve seen little girls look at me the same way I looked up to Selena. And I still struggle to believe all of it is real, but I’m so grateful.
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?
Hell no. hahaha.
The number 1 struggle I’ve had is believing in myself. It’s why I didn’t try for so long.
Other than that, navigating being raised by a single mom, being Latina with immigrant parents (or parent–just my dad), coming from a low-income background, being a first-generation college student, having ZERO connections in the music industry, getting paid nothing, then next to nothing, then a little better than nothing to sing. relationships–good ones that I messed up, abusive ones that messed me up, and then others in between. Learning how to release music. Realizing which of the hundred artists that said “let’s work” actually meant it. Creating a band that was closer than my family to me only to realize I was being led in a different direction. Hating myself for breaking up that family. Loving the new family, I was blessed with afterwards and wondering if I was a good enough leader for them. Wondering if I was good enough, period.
Late nights. Tears. Wanting to treat my mom to nice things like my peers on another path.
It’s a lot.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a singer-songwriter-performer. I’m known for intertwining heartfelt English and Spanish lyrics over smooth Latin-rnb beats on my album “chilita.” I’m the girl with the chili pepper hat, the new-wave Latin artist who made it to ACL, the badass who raps/screams in Spanish at the end of “happy pockets” and parties with the crowd during “oz.” I’m most proud of my team and our work ethic. What sets me apart from others is my sound and the fact that I’m not stopping anytime soon.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Trust your gut-always.
Contact Info:
- Email: shielamusic@gmail.com
- Website: www.shielamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shielamusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shielamusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shielamusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsCR-mKhuoi6dk4WMP_x5pw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/shielamusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4PyKYY9rqS8TBXFe6YJvWS
Image Credits
Roger Tam Rebecca Mendoza Levijpg Barry Gomez Nidi Nizam
