Road To Sharaya

Growing up as a member of an infamous religious cult is not the ideal way to spend your youth, but it's a hell of bio story for a lead singer of a rock band. Fortunately for Shay Liza, frontwoman for Melbourne rockers Sharaya, she and her family escaped the clutches of the American sect now know as The Family and relocated to Australia, where she's been able to pursue her love of music and use those life experiences in a positive way. “I went through hard times in my late teens, early twenties trying to come to terms with the different lifestyle and understanding the world that we live in from being so cloistered,” Shay recalls. “Now I wouldn't change a thing because I have this great respect for life and something to draw from when I write. A lot of the album is based on those experiences.”

Shay has since immersed herself in the Melbourne music community and couldn't be happier, splitting her time between duo bar gigs and her new band Sharaya. Initially the songs which now appear on the Sharaya album The Road To … were being prepared with a solo project of some sort in mind. As musicians were brought in by producer Ricki Rae to lay some parts down for the songs, they organically just morphed into a band. Sharaya now features Rae as drummer, hot shot guitarist Simon Hosford, Adam Surace on bass and Nik Pringadi on keyboards. The album is a collection of brooding, atmospheric, rock epics, perfect fodder for FM radio and that's exactly where the band has been acquiring some extensive airplay of late. Shay was in the studio when she heard her own music over the airwaves for the first time. “It's a really special moment when you hear it on radio for the first time because you know there are loads of other people listening. It kind of gives you fulfilment for all those years of work. It's hard to describe,” she recalls fondly of the moment.

The Road To … reeks of an album that has benefitted by a lot of time, thought and effort put into its production. Sharaya now look forward to a summer full of gigs, writing for album number two, and keeping one eye open to international market possibilities.

RICK RAE (PRODUCER)

Drums recorded mainly through a vintage Neve Broadcast console.

Kick and Snares recorded through Focusrite ISA 115s.

For micing the drums, I used D12 on the kick and SM57 on snare top, a AKG C414 on the snare bottom and on the toms varied condenser mics.

For overheads, I used U47s and room mics, new Red Valve microphones.

Bass Guitars were recorded straight into Vintec X81 and then re-amped later using an M88.

For Guitar, used 3 guitar amps, through a Voodoo labs amp switcher with an array of 57s and 421s,  through Neve 1073's and Vintec X81's

All Keyboards recorded straight into the Neve 1073.

rick rae (producer)

Drums recorded mainly through a vintage Neve Broadcast console.

Kick and Snares recorded through Focusrite ISA 115s.

For micing the drums, I used D12 on the kick and SM57 on snare top, a AKG C414 on the snare bottom and on the toms varied condenser mics.

For overheads, I used U47s and room mics, new Red Valve microphones.

Bass Guitars were recorded straight into Vintec X81 and then re-amped later using an M88.

For Guitar, used 3 guitar amps, through a Voodoo labs amp switcher with an array of 57s and 421s,  through Neve 1073's and Vintec X81's

All Keyboards recorded straight into the Neve 1073.

Muso's Greg Phillips chats to Sharaya's Shay Liza, about the band's rockin' debut album.