Melbourne-based folk rock singer-songwriter Shani Weiss is excited to announce the launch of her captivating new single, โWhatโs Leftโ dropping on the 21st of March.This release marks the second single from her highly anticipated EP, following the success of her debut single, โAll About Life.โ Check out the exclusive Interview below:
1. Your roots can often shape your journey. Can you share a story or moment from your early life that had a significant impact on your path into music?
SHANI WEISS: When I was in middle school, I felt like I didnโt fit in and asked to move to a different school. My parents found an arts school of what they thought was Drama, Music and Art. I dreamt of being an actress and to my dismay found out that Drama was actually Media. The school saw that I had been playing Classical Piano since I was 5 and suggested I audition for Music on the spot, which I did and passed the audition which directed my path to music professionally.
2. Did your musical journey begin with formal training, or was it more of a personal exploration? How has that shaped your unique approach to your craft?
SHANI WEISS: Once I got into the Arts School, I took up Guitar, Singing and Composition in addition to Piano. So thanks to my formal training, I was able to explore other instruments and creative ways to express myself.
3. Who were some of the most influential figures in your early musical life, and how did they inspire your sound? Also, whatโs the story behind choosing the name โSHANI WEISSโ?
SHANI WEISS: WOW, what a loaded question. If I have to narrow it down, Iโd say any grunge artist in my teenage years. It than evolved as I played in different bands and different genres like Celtic Rock, Folk, Contemporary etc. My Debut Album, Touch of Reality, was quite eclectic as I was still on my journey to narrow down what is best for my sound. After a lot of exploration and experimentation, I can say I am a Folk Rock artist.
Choosing the name Shani Weiss seems quite an obvious choice, but it came after playing some of my songs in the different bands I played in, but feeling like I would like to take the reins and stand under the spotlight and speak my heart.
4. What do you believe sets your music apart? How would you describe your sound to someone discovering you for the first time, and what emotions or experiences do you hope to evoke in your listeners?
SHANI WEISS: I am firstly a storyteller, my songs usually involve some sort of journey, whether if internal, emotional, spiritual or physical. Moving through life and documenting monumental moments through my songs, while able to produce them musically is something I am extremely grateful for.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as Folk Rock?
SHANI WEISS: I think my originality comes from my knowledge of Music Theory. I did a Bachelors and Masters in Music, and I am not capable of doing a 4 chord song. I donโt really do loves songs either. So despite having some of the best songs in the world 4 chord love songs, I think that what makes my music different is that it will have musical depth to it where I can weave my thoughts through a rich musical journey.
6. Music often transcends entertainment. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
SHANI WEISS: Well, thatโs a loaded question. If I may, I will answer honestly โ Iโm Israeli.
An Israeli Jewish woman living in Melbourne in 2025.
Sometimes, I wish artists would speak up about things that matter and sometimes, I wish artists would educate themselves before speaking up about things they donโt understand in.
In general, I believe that music is something that can connect you to a higher version of yourself, a better version, that it does good. I definitely resonate with music as a cultural, spiritual and social vehicle to open hearts and bring people together. A musician that decides to promote a political agenda needs to be aware if speaking out about something they are passionate about, can cause a negative reaction that could lead to violence and then I would say, leave it to the politicians.
But Conductor and Composer Leonard Berstein said it much better than me โThis will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.โ
7. Do you feel the rewards of your musical career match the energy and passion you invest in it, or are there different kinds of fulfillment youโre still seeking?
SHANI WEISS: If I was looking for a reward, Iโd probably need to be looking for another profession.
The reward is being able to create music, to release music, to perform music with a creative mind and a healthy body. As long as I have that, I can reach any milestone I dream of.
8. Can you walk us through your creative process? From the first spark of an idea to the finished track, whatโs the most essential part of your process, and how do collaboration or external influences shape your work?
SHANI WEISS: I will usually get a spark and immediately go to the keys or guitar with a manuscript and pencil and start writing until there is a song. From the moment thereโs a song till the moment it is streaming is a different story. Working full time teaching music, performing, presenting a radio show and being a wife and boy mum to two energetic boys, Tom and Luka, have priorities before the recording studio. I have my music for all my life, but my boys are small for a fraction of it, that goes by fast. Regarding collaboration, I love collaborating with other like minded artists.
9. Whatโs been the most challenging hurdle in either your personal life or music career, and how has it shaped you as an artist?
SHANI WEISS: Moving to Melbourne was definitely the most challenging thing I have ever done in my life. I came here with a few suitcases, guitar, pram and nothing or no one waiting but a dream. In the first year I was teaching music and performing wherever I could. Learning the culture, learning what Aussies liked, trying out my music again and again and again. Writing more, shaping it to the Australian ear while staying true to my sound. I have not yet shaped as I am continuously shaping myself as an artist. I am just grateful for what this challenge has given.
10. On the flip side, what moment or achievement in your career so far has made you feel the proudest, and why? And letโs talk about your latest release and future plans.
SHANI WEISS: Can we do more then one?
Firstly, just the fact that I am releasing music to the world as a full time Music Teacher, Radio presenter, mum of two energetic boys and a million after school activities is an amazing achievement for me. I was terrified to have kids because I thought I would lose my music career, and the truth is, since becoming a mum Iโve had my greatest musical achievements.
I birthed my debut album Touch of Reality and son Tom, at the same time.
I moved to Melbourne on the basis of a backpackers dream and started here from scratch and have been so incredibly lucky to be able to be acknowledged as artist of the month by Melbourne Musicians and Oz Music Festival, winning the RSOM Outstanding Achievement of the Year for 2 years in a row. Making it to the semi finals of Listen up Music, Performing in the Palais, Hamer Hall.
These are all such incredible things for me, coming from Israel dreaming of a making music in Melbourne and actually succeeding in it with such warm and support. I donโt take things for granted and basically, where I am musically today, is by my biggest achievement and I am so grateful for it.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
SHANI WEISS: TBH, I have not come across haters, criticizers yes but haters gonna hate no? Iโm always happy to have open conversations and hear different opinions. I wouldnโt want to live in a world that everyone thinks like me.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
SHANI WEISS: I think that as a musician, I hold both artist and entertainer inside. The artist part would definitely say recording studio, Itโs the most exciting musical thing I can do.
The entertainer in me is in the highest elation performing to a loving audience and if theyโre singing my lyrics, there is no better feeling than that.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
SHANI WEISS: I think once a song is born it flows independently in the world and if my music can touch someone my job here is done. As a storyteller, I love telling the story of the song and then allow my listeners to connect more deeply with me but if they can make it their own, thatโs wonderful.
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