Exposed Vocals Interviews Shad Lorenz

Shad Lorenz is a 23 year old upcoming R&B/Pop artist from the Bronx, New York. He is an independent artist and hails from Caribbean Decent. Not only does he sing the genres of R&B/Pop music but Gospel, Country, Reggae and even Opera music as well. Graduating from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, Shad is a classically trained tenor who also sings in German, Italian and French.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Shad Lorenz: I’m originally from St. Petersburg Florida. I lived there until about the age of 10 and then I moved to the Bronx, New York with my family and I’ve been there ever since. I grew up around music my entire life. My father was a dancer for a popular rap group in the early 90’s, My mother and grandmother would sing around me all the time, and both my Aunt and Uncle are in the music industry. I remember growing up I would walk around the house singing all types of songs to my mom. Anything from Aaliyah, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson the list goes on. I would watch these performers on TV and hear their songs on the radio and say to my mom “I’m gonna be a superstar just like them one day and buy you a big house mommy lol.” From that moment on performing became who I was.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Shad Lorenz: You know coming up with a stage name was harder than I thought lol. I figured everyone uses their first name or middle name now a days so why not do the same thing. I was around my friends when I was picking out a name and my manager instantly yelled out I got it “Shad Lorenz.” It uses the beginning of both my first name and my middle name. I thought about it for literally two seconds and then said “That sounds right to me, I like it.”

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Shad Lorenz: I think online music sharing is a wonderful thing but it’s a curse at the same time. In today’s time everything is so easily accessible on the internet that stopping your music from getting out there illegally is a hassle. I think it’s a great thing however because it allows for your music to touch people who can’t afford to spend the money and go out an buy an entire Album or Mixtape. On the other hand it can be a curse because it allows people to miss the story you are trying to tell with your piece of art.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Shad Lorenz: Definitely ! NEVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. If one door closes on you go to the next, if that one closes then you stick your foot in the door until someone hears what you have to say. Not literally, but you get what I mean lol.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Shad Lorenz: Songwriting is a process. I thought it was going to be one the easiest things in the world but it’s definitely not. Over the years I’ve learned that you have to write music that makes people feel good, makes people want to dance, makes them angry, sad, happy all of those emotions. You have to be able to get inside the heads of other people and have them be able to relate to your music even if your not going through that particular situation. It’s all about a good story.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Shad Lorenz: I am currently in the process of working on my own website, that should be coming very soon. Other than that I use YouTube and Soundcloud at the moment. Very soon hoping to have my music be apart of Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal and New York Radio Stations.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Shad Lorenz: I would go spend time with my family in Jamaica. I am of Caribbean decent with my mother side of the family being born in Jamaica. Who wouldn’t want to have the beach, jerk chicken and mangos at your leisure all the time lol. I would also spend it growing. Mentally, physically and spiritually I would take that time to keep myself grounded and figure out what I can do next to keep the music scene fresh.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Shad Lorenz: I use social media heavily to promote my music. We live in a time where it’s all about Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook so why not use those same platforms and market myself as an artist. They all seem to work out quite well sometimes I go around my friends and they know all the words to my song just by listening to it on these social media outlets.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Shad Lorenz: Of course ! I am currently working on my debut EP entitled “SHAD.” It’s so dope to be able to come out on my own and be able to share all these songs and stories I have in my head. You can definitely expect some ballads and some club bangers on this EP. New music and dance videos are in the works definitely.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Shad Lorenz: You know that’s funny. Most people have a back up plan about what they would be doing, I don’t have that choice lol. I made up my mind when I was five years old that music is the only thing I will do. I won’t stop until I can change lives with my voice. Until everyone who has the same dream as me knows that you can do it. No matter how hard the journey or the climb if you want it GO GET IT!

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Shad Lorenz: It’s not the easiest thing in the world. I recently just graduated from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford. While enrolled in school I was apart of various student organizations while juggling 20+ credits to make sure I graduate and that has definitely taught me that time management in this industry will be your life saver!

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016

Shad Lorenz: Fans should definitely expect my 2nd single “Put It Down” to be coming out soon. I’m very excited to have that being released soon. Make sure everyone stays tuned into my Twitter Page (ShadLorenz), Instagram (_ShadLorenz), Snapchat (ShadLorenz), YouTube (ShadrickLester) and Soundcloud (ShadLorenz). A lot of new covers, dance videos, and music will be released all summer. I can definitely say summer 2016 will be one where people know Shad Lorenz.

Thank you so much for this opportunity again. It was definitely amazing to have this be a platform for me as an artist. Thank you to everyone at ExposedVocals! Stay Up!