Melbourne’s own, Shelley Segal has been one busy singer-songwriter. The spirited artist made the move over 12 months ago to go and live in LA, and in that time she has been writing with different artists, performing constantly, has opened her own publishing company (already locking down a sync deal) and is now currently touring the US to promote her latest offering, Somebody Like You.
Somebody Like You is a heavy track, and not just in sound; it details the trauma of being told by family that your relationship must end for the sake of religion – in short, it’s the perfect song to release in the midst of the polarizing and supremely topical same-sex marriage debate. Electric guitars wail and drums propel the song forward with a strength that Shelley has harnessed herself, as the chorus soars to the heights of her vocal range.
Somebody Like You soundtracks a confusing, difficult time in Shelley’s life, as she explains, “When I was 18 years old my family told me I needed to break up with my partner because he wasn’t Jewish – in line with our religious traditions. I chose to fight for the relationship with my then-partner, leaving home and moving in with him and his family. This was an extremely painful experience for me. I am no longer religious but I know that many people still experience this tension between their families, traditions and the person they love for various reasons, religion, race, gender, orientation. The truth is, you cannot help or control who you love. You cannot love someone or stop loving someone, just because that is expected of you.” Shelley continues, weighing in on the same-sex marriage debate, “I know how it feels to be told who you should love and how you should love and it’s absolutely heartbreaking…having this kind of debate publicly has brought up a lot of pain and abuse for LGBTQI+ Australians; for our families and friends, and it should never have been allowed.”
Shelley has been living and working in Los Angeles for over a year now, and is currently Stateside touring Somebody Like You. Since making the move overseas Shelley has achieved a lot; spending her time writing with different artists, performing non-stop, and opening her own publishing company which saw her score a sync with the Emmy-award winning web series Venice. Shelley loves her new city but is looking forward to her brief visit home to celebrate Somebody Like You with a few shows. She enthuses, “These new songs have a rockier edge than I’ve had before and I’m excited to share that energy onstage. Coming home will be bittersweet as it makes me a bit homesick but it will be special to be at home and play these new songs to my fans and friends. As usual, audiences can expect lots of stories. Maybe even a bit of the shiny sheen of shameless LA pop will make it back over the Pacific with me, we’ll see…!”
Stream: SOMEBODY LIKE YOU
Buy: SOMEBODY LIKE YOU
SHELLEY SEGAL ‘SOMEBODY LIKE YOU’ LAUNCH SHOW
RI 29 DEC | YARD BIRD, BENDIGO, VIC | 18+ | Free Entry 8-11pm
THU 4 JAN | CALLY HOTEL, WARRNAMBOOL, VIC | 18+ | Free Entry 8-11pm
FRI 12 JAN | PAYNESVILLE WINE BAR, PAYNESVILLE, VIC | 18+ | Tix at the door 7-10pm
