Love Is the Answer : Inside SHEBAD's Debut Album and Rising Journey

November 30, 2024 | Guelph, ON

Written and Photographed by Carlos De Sousa (@suavecassiero @legacy7productions)

For the past five years, SHEBAD has been captivating audiences from their hometown of Guelph, Ontario, with their dynamic Indie Soul sound and unforgettable live performances. On November 30, I had the privilege of witnessing their sold-out show—a night that kicked off with an incredible set by hip-hop beatmaker Eloquent, who did a stellar job hyping up the crowd. By the time SHEBAD took the stage, the energy was electric. Before the show, I sat down with the band to discuss their journey, their creative process, and how they’ve managed to forge such a powerful connection with their fans over the years.

Congratulations on your debut album! How are you feeling, and what emotions are you experiencing right now?

It feels great! I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster—buzzing with excitement one moment, then filled with doubt and nerves the next. It’s been all over the map. But this past week, I’ve reached a sense of equilibrium. I’m hoping to stay in this calm, grateful space as the album drops tonight.

Your latest popular is song called “Black Walnut”How did you create it, and what inspired the name?

That song is really special to us in so many ways. It started with Emil, our keys player, and me hanging out in my sister’s backyard. We were drumming on her benches under a black walnut tree. I work at an outdoor school, and a coworker dyes fabric with black walnuts, so I’ve always loved them. While peeling one, my hands got stained, and we found a nut inside to drum with. It was so fun that I thought, “We need a song called ‘Black Walnut.’”

I had a bassline in mind and pitched it to our drummer. He played a groove that fit perfectly, so we brought it to Claire, who added lyrics, melodies, and horn and string lines. We also pulled ideas from older material—one bassline was from high school! It became the most collaborative piece on the album, with contributions from everyone.

We even dyed merch using black walnuts, and Emil created a wood-burned animation. The energy we poured into it connected with people, and it’s been such a gift to see that reflected back.

Speaking of the album "Love Is the Answer", what inspired the name for that?

Claire once wrote, “Love is the message, music is the answer,” and I loved that. It resonated with me, especially as a fan of bassist and educator Victor Wooten, who believes music solves things in unspoken ways. For me, this being our first album ever—individually or with bands—I wanted it to carry that statement. Music is the answer felt like the perfect legacy, something I could leave behind knowing it mattered.

The phrase evokes reflection: how has music served me, and how do I serve through it? It honors music as a teacher, a tool, and a path that connects us with the people we love. It truly is the answer to so much in our lives.

What would you say was the toughest challenge you faced while making the album?

We’ve never made something this extensive before. We only released one EP with five songs and a few singles, so doubling our discography was challenging. We accomplished about 50% of what we initially hoped. It took time to accept that perfection wasn’t possible—financial, timing, and energy constraints limited us. Sometimes you’re sick or can’t meet your schedule. We had big plans for visuals and learned a lot. We wrote and recorded while touring and working full-time jobs. Achieving 50% now means maybe 80% next time, and someday we’ll surpass even that.

Time and art often clash. Sometimes a song simply needs to be released. Essence matters more than perfection. Don’t compare yourself to others. Caring about each other and our music is what counts. This process gave me profound respect for all artists, especially at our scale. Completing this album took two years of our lives, and now I listen to other music with more grace and deep appreciation. Anyone creating and sharing their art deserves that respect.

You mentioned heroes—who are they? Who are your musical heroes?

Stevie Wonder is our top hero, bridging creativity and technical skill with pure love and passion. His music embodies freedom and heart. We admire Erykah Badu for her authentic spirit, fashion sense, and extraordinary records. Daft Punk’s innovation, visuals, and willingness to experiment inspire us, as do Gorillaz. We also look up to local heroes like Byron, a master tracker who pursues his calling purely from love, not money. Another hero is Jack Kornfield, a Zen Buddhist teacher whose gentle wisdom and storytelling guide us with grace. All these heroes, famous or not, remind us that devotion, authenticity, and love, rather than perfection, define greatness in art and life. They encourage us to keep exploring possibilities.

You’ve been on tours here and there, right? Would you share a story about your most memorable venue or location—something that really stands out?

We played at History in Toronto twice, opening for Kamasi Washington and Thievery Corporation. Being backstage, meeting world-class musicians, and having them enjoy our music felt surreal. It’s wild thinking these artists heard us, liked us, and even followed us online. The Kamasi Washington gig was last minute, arranged because the venue’s sound crew recommended us.

We also played the Hillside Festival in Guelph. It’s eco-friendly, well-run, and beloved locally. Closing the festival was a dream. The crowd knew our songs, sang along, danced, and gave us so much love. Playing Hillside broadened our hometown support and inspired us to keep growing. Both experiences reminded us that genuine support can appear in unexpected, beautiful ways.

I saw on your Instagram that the album drops tomorrow, but your show is on the 30th. What’s the idea behind that timing?

Part of it is that our manager, who oversees lighting and much of the show, is currently touring with another band. He won’t return until month’s end. Also, we initially wanted the album out on October 1, so the show would be two weeks later. That would have been ideal, maybe around November 15, but I’m glad it’s on the 30th now. There’s so much to do after releasing an album—promotion, focusing energy, and pushing ourselves to create an unbelievable show. Having this extra time lets us aim closer to 100% of what we envision, prepare new songs, and hopefully sell out the venue. It gives fans November to fully absorb the album before really celebrating together.

What advice would you give to musicians who want to start their own band / solo career?

Play with others, trust the process, and open yourself to finding your musical community. Sometimes people find you, like how we connected through one bold invitation. Decide what you want from music: making perfect recordings or building a career, performing live, and sharing energy. Remember that community matters. Whether they’re bandmates or supportive friends, they keep you grounded when challenges arise. Know that this path requires resilience. Often, you won’t make money at first, so you may need another job that supports your artistic life. We work day jobs, reinvest earnings into the project, and keep going because we’re dedicated to music. Over time, your dedication and clarity will guide you ever forward, truly.

Last question , where do you see yourselves in five years?

We hope to have made two or three more albums, have more songs, and have grown as people. Health is a priority—I pray we’re all healthy in five years. We’ve overcome hurdles, proven this is real to ourselves, and built an incredible team—bandmates, a manager, supportive PR. We have more trust now, allowing us to push forward wholeheartedly. In five years, we hope the project sustains itself financially and we can establish roots in a home base and perform in Japan. We expect to play hundreds more shows, record more music, and reach new milestones we can’t imagine—like when we opened for Kamasi Washington. We want to keep dreaming, evolving, and sharing our music with the world.

In reflecting on their journey, it’s clear that SHEBAD’s growth is anchored in authenticity, resilience, and connection. As they continue to evolve—making new music, exploring fresh creative territories, and forging stronger bonds with their audience—one thing remains constant: their deep love for the art form. Five years from now, whether performing internationally or inspiring others to start their own bands, SHEBAD’s message will stay rooted in what they’ve always believed—music is the answer.

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