Shaz

photography by Laura Varon

The following passage derives from a conversation with Austin-based singer songwriter SHAZ, sat across one another sipping a pair of negronis. Since this interview took place, I have been fortunate enough to attend two recitals where her musical aptitude was on display. Engaging acoustic performances showcasing her soothing, effortless singing accompanied by her piano and the talented Elly Ezer (Daniel A. Cohen) on saxophone. A setlist comprised of stripped original tracks and reimagined covers charmed the audience on both occasions. The shows included one night at a SoFar concert on South Congress, as well as her most recent performance at the inaugural Sidecar Junkaroo Saturday. A couple of performances during which her talent and showmanship was beyond evident.

What initially piques your interest could very well be the obvious beauty or credence she embodies. It could be the well-curated gallery of photos on her Instagram account or the quality entertainment to be found on her Tik Tok page, where she primarily documents her adoration of her cat. There are a myriad of ingredients that are baked into the allure of Austin-based artist SHAZ, most of which become merely supplemental after you have the opportunity to listen to her music. The singer-songwriter fuses a combination of silver-tongued RnB and pop vocals that dance over a variety of tones throughout her catalog to achieve a truly unique genre wholly reserved for her.

SHAZ captivated listeners with her debut EP Inside Out released in late 2022, and has since added to her discography; planning to release another single in late March of this year. The first project consisted of three songs, each receiving tens of thousands of streams on Spotify alone. She flaunts her ripened, distinct vocals over playful cinematic samples, inducing an energy of elegance on her songs Deadly Baby and All Right, especially. Come On Over lives between the aforementioned songs on the EP and displays a flirtatious, playful side of SHAZ’s personality. The EP is a melting pot of styles and sounds, supported and partly inspired by the collaboration with UK-based LoFi artists Pointy Features and AJMW.

Much like Come On Over, the artist’s newest single On My Mind presents a catchy guitar riff and certainly demonstrates an evolution in her musicality. The provocative, unapologetic lyrics dive to new depths as her notable versatility is tied together by a theme of haunting harmonies, sensual instrumentation, and smooth melodies. The single serves as a delectable taste for an upcoming sophomore project.

Although we are still in the early stages of SHAZ’s career in music, her well-established musical prowess dates back to her childhood, where her mother mandated her daughter’s classical training in piano on a daily basis. When speaking to SHAZ, it seemed that what started as a childhood desire sometimes hedged towards a chore, but certainly grew into a passion. Her innate feel for the instrument is an inspiration for her creative process and writing today, but her dedication to training instilled lessons that reach far beyond sheet music and keys.

Icons such as Nat King Cole and Etta James were often heard echoing through SHAZ’s childhood home in South Florida as she progressed through her piano training. Family has always been of great significance and influence in her life, having been raised by her parents and grandmother in a sometimes strict but always supportive household. Even the etymology of the name SHAZ is an ode to her father’s own nickname. Her family’s rich Armenian history is one of interest and deep admiration to her – a culture and heritage she is very proud to represent.

photography by Gavin Alexandra

The strong women before her serve as a particular source of inspiration and pride. Hailing from a family of pioneering Armenian immigrants, it was only natural that SHAZ left her childhood home in search of new horizons, eventually bringing her to Austin in 2020. The seeds of her commitment as an artist had been planted, but the move served as a catalyst where the modern era of SHAZ began blooming. When the nickname evolved into a pseudonym for the up and coming artist.

Her intent when writing is to make music that is conducive for making memories. Stemming from a desire to connect with her audience by singing and sharing what she has needed to hear in various moments. A connection was undoubtedly present at her most recent SoFar show, and a quote she shared during her performance left a lasting impression on me; “Maybe you don’t need to be special to be loved. Maybe you don’t need to be special to be worthy.” A statement made shortly after admitting her initial discomfort with the vulnerability of performing.

It came as a surprise to hear of the artist’s distress about being center stage, mostly due to her observably confident nature. SHAZ is not only a talented musician, but she is also a successful business professional. Graduating with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Florida, the artist was raised to always prioritize a conventional approach to her education and career.

The artist successfully juggles a quickly growing music profession with an already-established, fruitful career in the corporate realm. It can be difficult to have one foot in two worlds, but it became apparent that this was not the case for SHAZ. Although triumph in business has always come easy to her, her aspiration as an artist is to write and perform music full-time. She has found Austin to be an expressive, welcoming home base for this objective due to the encouraging community of artists.

This community plays an important role in supporting SHAZ as she continues to blossom as a musician and performer. You can catch her upcoming shows on March 30th and April 11th at Simona’s. Additional details can be found via the artist’s Instagram @shazvibin and her music is now streaming across all platforms. A single can be anticipated to be released at the end of March, and more music and shows are in the works.