What are your names?
Shannon Walden – Lead Vocalist

What is the band’s name?
He Said

How did you come up with the band’s name?
The name comes from the saying “He Said, She Said” and what I found interesting about that saying is that “He Said” comes first. I have experienced that often what “He Said” does comes first and then what “She Said” is often ignored. I think often there is not enough weight put into what women say. This is my way of taking back “He Said” and giving it a female voice that deserves to come first.

What is your genre of music?
The genre is pop-punk, I like to think of it as nostalgia pop-punk because it is heavily influenced by 2000s pop-punk bands.

Give us a little bio about you.
I am a rock vocalist in New York City and the lead singer of “He Said”. “He Said” is my debut project in the pop-rock genre. I created this band because I feel there is a need for more female vocals in the rock space. Growing up listening to the sound of early 2000’s pop-punk and the rebellion their songs came with inspired me to create the sound of this band. Originally coming from a male-dominated industry I’ve dealt with many people telling me to be quiet and silencing my creativity entirely. This band is a response to that silence and to say no more, no matter age, gender, or appearance I have a voice and I’m going to use it.

What made you go into music?
I have always loved music, growing up I was always in chorus and I actually did a lot of musical theatre. I was told a lot that my voice was too soft or I was too quiet. It wasn’t until I met my current voice coach where I learned a more contemporary style of singing, that I found I actually have quite a loud, robust voice. From there my voice coach encouraged me to start singing publicly and to start writing that’s when I started to think having a band was a possibility. I have always loved writing and with the encouragement of my coach, I started taking it more seriously.

Who are your influences?
Pop-punk has always been one of my favorite genres and something I grew up listening to but I feel like there is still a huge spot for female artists there. Of course, the amazingly talented Hayley Williams inspires me, no one can do vocals like she can. I listen to a lot of the same bands I did in High School like Blink-182, Four Year Strong, Taking Back Sunday, Mayday Parade and then a lot of newer bands as well like Stand Atlantic and Rematch.

Are you a signed?
I am currently not signed.

Your new single ‘Waste Your Youth’ is set to release, tell us more about the single.
“Waste Your Youth” is my debut single, I have been working on it for a little over a year now. I really wanted my first single to be strong and something you can dance around to. I also wanted to take my time and make sure the sound was just right and with the help of my team I really think we accomplished that.

What is the meaning behind the single?
“Waste Your Youth” is about young relationships when you are not ready to commit. It is the honest side of stringing someone along because you simply like having them around. The other person goes along with it because they feel the same. So maybe, just for a night, you waste your youth with this person just to feel good knowing in the morning it will go nowhere.

Who did you work with on the single?
I wrote it with my amazing voice coach, Violet Grae and it was produced by Lex Wolfe.

Describe the track in two words.
Nostalgic and Honest

Will we see a Music Video for the new single and if so what can we expect?
There won’t be a music video for “Waste Your Youth”, hopefully there will be one on the next one.

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Will we see a EP or Album and if so what can we expect from it?
I am currently working on more singles that should be coming out in the fall.

What else can we expect in 2021?
In 2021 I am working on a few more songs to be released and hopefully a music video.

Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I see myself still writing and singing and with a tour or two under my belt.

What quote or saying do you always stick by?
It sounds really cheesy but “Just Do It”, it’s honestly the best advice I have ever received. If you want to write and make music just do it, forget all of the excuses that are stopping you, do it for yourself. I think that applies to most things in life and it’s the one thing that stands in the way of great accomplishments. If you want something go after it, it might not turn out the way you expected it to but it will always turn out better than not trying at all. I truly believe there is always a way, you just have to find it.

When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
When I have the opportunity to perform as He Said for the very first time, I will absolutely bring my hot pink mic, honest banter, custom made He Said merch, a head banging band, and 2000s punk nostalgia.

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?

Yes!
I have Instagram