How to Build a Multi-Platinum Career in the Music Industry: Shari Short’s True Story

Summary

Dream Life Club with Sumi Krishnan

Episode: "How to Build a Multi-Platinum Career in the Music Industry: Shari Short’s True Story"

Date: May 15, 2026
Guest: Shari Short, multi-platinum songwriter, singer, producer

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Overview

In this rich and candid episode, host Sumi Krishnan sits down with Shari Short, an RIAA-certified multi-platinum selling songwriter, singer, and producer. Shari’s story takes us from her humble beginnings in Idaho to hitting major career milestones like touring with Air Supply at age 15, writing for superstars such as Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande, garnering thousands of TV, film, and ad placements, and fronting the indie band 3 One 0. This conversation offers aspiring creatives a behind-the-curtain look at what it really takes to build a sustainable, evolving career in the music industry—including the setbacks, hustle, reinvention, and personal transformation along the way.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Early Life and First Breaks

• Small-town Roots & Early Talent

  • Grew up in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho (pop. 2,500) (04:00)
  • Began guitar at 10, didn’t start seriously songwriting until 14, catalyzed by a friend’s suicide (04:23)
  • Songwriting became a tool for emotional expression and healing.
  • "I wrote a song about it...and I remember playing it for his mom, and she was like, 'I don't think you understand how healing that was for me.' And immediately I was like, this is what I'm supposed to do." – Shari Short (05:02)

• From Sports to Songwriting

  • Shari was multidimensional: a talented athlete and a shy performer (06:05)
  • A pivotal early realization: her passion for music surpassed sports after the loss of her friend.

• Pageantry as a Stepping Stone

  • Entered and won Miss Teen Idaho (11:00–12:40), not as a typical pageant participant, but aiming to meet radio contacts.
  • Met the wife of Air Supply’s lead singer, leading to her first record deal and touring opportunity at just 15.

  “A friend of mine’s mom heard me sing and said, ‘You have to play for my husband’—who happened to be in Air Supply.” – Shari Short (13:16)

2. Navigating the Industry: Rejection & Reinvention

• Early Music Business Lessons

  • Made her first album with Air Supply (“A Nice Pair Records”) and toured as both an opener and a background singer (15:15–16:53).
  • Used online schooling/tutors while touring as a teen (16:57).

• Struggles with Major Labels

  • Moved to LA seeking a major label deal. Despite showcases and development deals with top producers (like The Matrix), did not get a full deal by age 19 (17:44–19:30).
  • Worked multiple survival jobs (spa, waitressing) to stay in LA and hustled relentlessly (20:22).

  “You work really hard... but it’s really like, you work hard, you open those doors, and keep going after rejection after rejection.” – Shari Short (22:07)

3. Breakthrough via Song Placement

• First Major “Cut”: Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana

  • Co-wrote “This Is the Life,” placed on a young Miley Cyrus for Hannah Montana (23:39–24:11).
  • The placement changed Shari’s career—over 3 million domestic, 5 million global in sales (24:39).

  “I remember opening a check for more money than I made at both my jobs for the year—like, $127,000.” – Shari Short (25:13)

• More Placements and Building Momentum

  • Success with Miley led to writing sessions with Ariana Grande, Joe Jonas, and others (28:15–28:36).
  • Became known as a “secret weapon” for helping artists find their authentic voice.

4. Songwriting at Scale: Sony & The Writing Camp

• Signed to Sony Publishing

  • Mentored by top songwriters and entered hyper-productive co-writing culture (“3 sessions a day, 5–6 days a week”) (29:42).
  • Mixed emotions: valuable exposure and learning, but also tough criticism from execs (32:24–33:42).

  “We’d play songs for the heads of Sony, and they might say, ‘This song is shit. We hate this’…I cried in the meeting.” – Shari Short (32:53)

• Advice for Surviving Criticism

  • Encourages writers to balance outside feedback with their own instincts.
  • “At the end of the day, it’s really up to you. Your gut wins…Nobody wants to hear what somebody else has to say—they want to hear what you have to say.” (33:43)

5. Touring & Business Expansion

• Touring with Demi Lovato

  • Transitioned from songwriting to singing background vocals with Demi Lovato (34:43–34:59).
  • Balanced touring (2012–2014) with writing, and pivoted into artist management and business roles (37:36).

• Management, Mentorship & More

  • Managed Rebecca Black, helping shift her career after “Friday.”
  • Eventually launched her own management company, then became CEO of a boutique label (39:04–46:14).

6. Sync Success & 3 One 0 Band

• Sync Placements Blow Up

  • Co-founded indie band 3 One 0 (“Three O N E O H”), blending female empowerment/blues/rock, and scored massive TV, film, and ad placements (43:39–45:12).
  • Free marketing: global exposure, playlist additions, increased royalties—“We made so much money... I’m not managing anymore!” (46:14)

• Band Dynamics

  • 3 One 0 formed by Shari and two producer/musicians; the name is a nod to LA’s area code for discoverability (44:57).

7. Personal Life & Staying Creative

• Family & Relationships

  • Met her Norwegian husband via Tinder, leading to marriage and two kids (47:05–52:57).
  • Continued balancing music industry hustle with motherhood and evolving priorities.

• Diversifying: Animation, TV, and Film

  • Recently writing for animation (including upcoming Netflix projects) and placing songs on hit shows like HBO Max’s “Hacks”—even rapping and beatboxing for JoJo Siwa (53:46–54:24).

• Recent and Current Projects

  • New single with 3 One 0, “Let It Burn,” released on show date (54:45).

  “If you can make it authentic, then you’re winning. This is my season of being a little bit more badass, grit, you know?” – Shari Short (55:14)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Starting Out From Scratch:
  “I started writing songs and just… it was more therapy for me… very dark with the things I was writing. But I felt like God was leading me.” (07:45)

• On Rejection and Redirection:
  “Rejection is redirection.” (24:00)

• On Songwriting for TV/Film:
  "We were given the title 'Summer Squash' and told, 'Write a top 40 hit called Summer Squash.' I was like, challenge accepted." (59:05)

• On the Realities of the Industry:
  “Touring didn’t exist online—now it’s normal. I think I got a better education, being able to see the world.” (17:22)

• On Letting Go of Ego:
  “At the end of the day, your gut wins.” (33:43)

• On Authenticity:
  “If you do what you do out of loving it… people are going to buy in because it’s true.” (61:12)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:44 – Shari’s credits & career highlight reel introduction
• 03:41 – First touring experience with Air Supply at 15
• 11:01 – Wins Miss Teen Idaho, unexpected pageantry pivot
• 13:20 – Meeting Air Supply’s Graham Russell, first record deal
• 17:44 – Moving to LA, chasing a major label future
• 23:39 – Song cut by Miley Cyrus, Hannah Montana
• 25:13 – First life-changing royalty check
• 28:36 – Secrets to being a “secret weapon” in the writers’ room
• 32:24 – Receiving and surviving brutal label feedback
• 34:43 – Becoming Demi Lovato’s touring background singer
• 39:04 – Management, business, and mentoring journeys
• 43:39 – 3 One 0: Sync placements and band origins
• 47:05 – Tinder, Norway, and meeting her husband
• 53:46 – Writing for animation, JoJo Siwa, and more
• 54:45 – New single release: “Let It Burn”; band dynamics
• 57:31 – How Shari approaches songwriting: “generally specific”
• 59:04 – “Summer Squash” song for “Hacks,” up for Emmy consideration
• 60:17 – Shari on the idea of creative destiny and fulfillment
• 61:12 – Authenticity as the throughline in her career

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Takeaways for Listeners

• Persistence: Shari’s journey is a testament to living through relentless rejection and keeping faith in your creative calling.
• Diversification: Her career spans performance, songwriting, management, and sync opportunities—demonstrating how flexibility and continuous reinvention are key in the music industry.
• Authenticity: No matter the role or context, following your creative gut and remaining authentic—rather than chasing trends—leads to the most meaningful and sustainable success.
• Community: Mentorship, collaboration, and emotional honesty are recurring threads that have enabled Shari to thrive and give back to others.

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For Further Discovery

• 3 One 0: Check out new single “Let It Burn”
• Shari Short: Spotify, Instagram
• Episode References: "Hacks" Season 5, “This Is the Life” (Hannah Montana), “RIP” (Sofia Reyes feat. Rita Ora & Anitta)

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“There’s always ups and downs. This is not a linear journey. You’re always figuring it out.” — Shari Short (59:53)

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Stay tuned for a future Part Two with Shari on Dream Life Club!

Transcript

[A]

Sheri, I'm so excited to have you on the Dream Life Club podcast. Thank you for being here.

[B]

Thank you for having me. Very grateful.

[A]

I want everyone to know just how much of a badass and rock star you are. So I'm gonna read your bio.

[B]

And shy.

[A]

And shy. No. Sherry Short as the RIAA certified multi platinum selling singer, songwriter, producer who has worked with and written for Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Rita Ora, Sofia Reyes, Anita Lau, Armin Van Buren, to name a few. Sherry toured as a background singer with Demi Lovato for two years and is currently the frontwoman of indie rock alternative band three one zero, whose new single just dropped today.

[B]

Today. Which is wild. I can't wait to talk about that too.

[A]

Okay. You've had thousands of songs placed in national and worldwide ad campaigns and TV shows and films. Everything from Google to Burger King to Skechers at Emily in Paris, Queer Eye, Marvel Hero Project, and a new placement on Hacks. And that's up for an Emmy recently. Okay, we wanna talk about that. So there's so much to dive into that I think you can share with our audience about your story. You've pretty much achieved every milestone in the music business as an artist and a writer that we all aspire to achieve.

[B]

So nice.

[A]

And getting to hear from you directly today right now, you guys, this is going to be such a treat. I can't tell you. Excited I am. To learn what it was actually like to learn what advice you have for other artists and creatives coming up, or anyone going for a dream, actually.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And what we can glean from your experience and just to share your energy and heart with us is a gift in and of itself.

[B]

Thank you. It's so funny to me. And I'm first off so grateful to be here. I love how we met, which we're gonna talk about in a second. But it's such a highlight reel. You know, when you read your bio, it's such a highlight reel, but there's so much more behind it. Right. The ups and downs of the industry. How you got into how kind of turned out is just wild. So we can go through that too. But let's talk how we first met. Okay.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Do you remember?

[A]

I do. Okay, wait, we met in the bathroom, right? We met in the bathroom at a SONA event.

[B]

Songwriters of North America event. Yep, exactly. I was like, I just love your vibe. Like, I love your outfit.

[A]

Oh, my gosh. Yes. And then afterwards, weren't we just also just happened to be sitting next to each other?

[B]

I Like, just came. I was like, do you know what? I'm just gonna go. You were like, front row. Which is so ballsy. Which I'm usually always. I didn't know anyone. I'm like, do you know there were so many people in the room. I'm like, I'm just gonna go sit next to her. And we did. And we chatted and we were like. We wanted to keep talking, but obviously they had, like, the event. And so we're like, oh, we gotta be quiet. So we didn't even get to. This is like a fun. A fun little.

[A]

This is our catch up.

[B]

This is our catch up.

[A]

But also with everything. More. Exactly. Yes.

[B]

Okay, so.

[A]

Okay, let's dive in.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Actually, first, I want everybody to know I have a notepad here with, like, things I wanted to remember to talk about. And you have.

[B]

I do not have a notebook. I did not make notes. I literally brought a pad that says iconic because you're iconic, but it's actually because it's a mirror. Just in case I have anything in my teeth. That's facts. Because.

[A]

And eyeshadow. An eyeshadow palette.

[B]

Exactly. Just because, you know, sometimes you need a little zhuzh.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I love that so much.

[A]

And actually just doing that is iconic. She's representing. She's representing. It's very meta.

[B]

I mean, very meta. All right, now let's Iconic London sponsor you. That's what we need next.

[A]

Iconic London. Where are you exactly? Okay, so. So, Sheri, you have a storied background. You. I feel like I wanna start. When you were 15 years old, you started touring with the band Air Supply.

[B]

Yes. Yeah.

[A]

How does a 15 year old become on a national touring act at that. At that level of international acclaim?

[B]

It's wild. So I'm originally from. I don't even think you know this, but I'm from a small town in Idaho.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

From the, like, 20 minutes from the Canadian border. Small town called Bonner's Ferry. 2,500 people in the town that I grew up in. So, like, in the middle of nowhere. Yeah. And in all honesty, like, I started playing guitar at like, 10, you know, and just, like, played a little bit of acoustic, dabbled in electric, but mainly acoustic playing, like Jewel and Alanis Morissette covers and all of that. But I didn't start songwriting until I was about 14. This is a little sad.

[A]

But a year before you were on tour.

[B]

Well, let me. It's wild. It sounds crazy, but I do feel like even just, you know, four years of just playing guitar, I Mean, I didn't really write a song. I would just sing a lot of other songs and write songs, but nothing fully, like, not a full concept. Oh, this is about this. It was more just like being shy and being in my bedroom, if I'm being completely honest. Cause I was very shy growing up. And basically a friend that I went to school with committed suicide at 14. It rocked my world. Like, it was the first real, like, life. Like, oh, life is real. Life is happening. Yeah. And I wrote a song about it. Not meaning to write a full song, but really just emotionally for myself. And I remember playing it for his mom, and she was like, I don't think you understand how healing that was for me. And immediately I was like, this is what I'm supposed to do. Like, I might be shy. This may not be. I may not be, but I feel like this is what I'm meant to do.

[A]

Were you shy as a teenager?

[B]

I was the kind of kid that would get up in front of a class and cry and have to leave and then, like, try three more times.

[A]

Wait, cry because you were so nervous?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

Oh. But that continued still to this day. If I'm gonna, like, perform, mind you, like, when I was touring with Demi, it's a little different. You're a background singer. You get more used to it.

[A]

Wait, wait. She just sprinkled a touring with Demi Lovato. So I want everyone to catch that. We're getting there.

[B]

I'll brush by that. I'll go by that in a second. But, you know, you get more comfortable as time goes on. And I really think that it's about growing and pushing yourself and really, like, changing your surroundings. And it's weird, but I knew that even as a young girl, like, I was into sports. I was a basketball player. I was basketball, softball. That's. Since I was. Like.

[A]

It's. Honestly, it's rare to have the combination to be artistic and a musician as well as super into sports. I rarely hear those two together.

[B]

Well, it's interesting because I think that that's where I got a lot of my work ethic from. Because it. When you're in. I mean, mind you. And I'm not knocking North Idaho, but, like, it was, you know, North Idaho. Like, I was playing great basketball, but it's. Yeah. Just a different kind of. How do you say? Like, competition.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, there's still amazing talent, but I just. I just loved the sport I liked. And I think because I was so shy, being aggressive was really. I don't know. It would be really helpful for me, like, in therapeutically, anyways. But I really loved sports. I really loved, specifically basketball. And then it was at that moment, I was like, I'm not doing this anymore. And my family was like, what is going on?

[A]

Wait, at the moment where your friend committed suicide and you wrote the song for the mom?

[B]

I was like, literally, like, I'm Like, I'm not. It doesn't interest me anymore, really. I don't know what it was. It was more like, I'm putting so much energy. Cause I would go to, like, camps, and I'd go to, like, competitions, and I'd go to, like, Hoopfest and do all this. It was so much energy. And I loved the, you know, the workout. I loved the people I was doing it with. But I'm like, this is not my future. Like, I was like, this is not it at 14. But I feel like I have four sisters. Or I have three sisters. Four of us. Oh, me too.

[A]

There's sisters? Yeah.

[B]

All girls and boys.

[A]

All girl.

[B]

Come on.

[A]

No wonder we get along.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

Where are you in the lineup?

[B]

Second to youngest.

[A]

Me, too.

[B]

No way. Oh, my God. Do you know what? Kismet. Kismet. We knew it. Yeah, we knew it. That's so wild. I rarely hear that.

[A]

I agree. It's rare.

[B]

What? All right, sister. All right. But, yeah, so I just decided to do music. So I started writing songs and just kind of, like. It was more therapy for me. Just kind of like, you know, getting things out. And it was such a weird time. And, you know, being with friends and talking about our friend who wasn't there, and it was just strange. So it was more of, like. It was a lot of. I was a hat. I was happy kid shy, but I was happy, but very dark with the things I was writing. This is what it was. Wow. But I just. So I was kind of in. And I am very spiritual, too. And I really felt like. I felt like God was leading me in a way and protecting me in such a huge way. But I remember thinking, okay, I gotta. I need to get discovered. I really didn't know what that meant, but I was like, someone has to hear these songs. Someone has to. Like, something has to happen. That's the only way I'm gonna get out of this small town. And I remember seeing this thing.

[A]

Were any of your sister's musicians?

[B]

Yes, my older sister. My older sister was a musical theater.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And she was still to this day. Her name's Sandy, and she lives in Seattle, and she has A children's or Seattle's Performing Arts. She's like, got a kids theater. It's not just kids. It's everybody. But it's. She's incredible. But she was more like. I mean, she. Like, she did a lot of plays growing up, so I was always in her plays. So. So that was a part of it. But I was always like. So when I say that I'm shy, I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'd get so sick backstage. But then when I was doing it, it was like.

[A]

You were in flow.

[B]

It was in the flow. 100%. Like, that is exactly the word that I would use in the flow. And you're just like, oh, okay. This is not about me. It's no longer about me. It's about the audience.

[A]

Isn't that crazy? Because I feel the same way. I get so nervous every time I'm about to go on stage, which seems a little ridiculous at this point. It's like, why? You know.

[B]

I know. Exactly.

[A]

So nervous. But the minute you're there, it, like, it's almost like I kind of. I feel like I black out a little bit. Like, you don't really know what you're doing.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like, you don't remember.

[B]

You're like, how did I get here? Here I am. There's lights. Okay. And we're doing this. No, I do. I completely register that. Like, it's almost like a little bit of a black. Because maybe because you're. You know, the adrenaline is so intense. Yeah.

[A]

Actually.

[B]

Interesting. We'll have to. We'll have to go back on that and get some.

[A]

Yeah. Because I do think a lot of people get. Feel, like. Because my mom doesn't understand it, for example, she's like, but sue me. You get so nervous. Why. Why the heck do you want to keep putting yourself on stage? Like, she doesn't get it so wild. But I feel like often it's the things that you're most nervous about that are signs to what you really need to be doing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right. Because hiding from that, it's like, that's my growth edge. It's like, why would I not do that? Like, I want to. I want to overcome it.

[B]

Yeah. My dad used to say, like, because. Yeah. When I would go, because I would really get sick, like, I'd like to have to jump on the bed and have to, like, get. Because I was a teenager, so my parents would come on and off. I'll get to that, too. But I'm telling a lot of detail. I hope that's Okay.

[A]

I love it. I love it. It's so good.

[B]

But, like, I would tell my dad, I'm like, I feel like the day I become. I don't. I'm not nervous anymore. The day I'm not nervous is the day that I suck because I stop caring.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because I still think that even as

[A]

a teen, you knew that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

It's just wild. But so then I did. So basically I saw this thing in the newspaper and it was like, miss Teen Idaho get discovered. I'm like, this is it. This is my shot.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Yeah. So I was like, I called. I called my. Or I was talking to my parents. I'm like, if I raise this $250 to do this pageant in the big city of Boise, Idaho, will you guys take me? You know? And they were like, at this time, because of everything going on, they're like, we'll make it happen.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I end up getting there. There's two different pageants. I had no idea. There's Miss America and there's Miss usa. Miss America has talent. Miss USA does not. So they were like, oh, honey, there's no talent. But you have to have a swimsuit and you have to compete or you'll forfeit your money. And I'm like, what? Mind you, I'm very mature for my age. Like 14. I'm, you know, developed, I guess. And like, I, like, was aware of my surroundings, and I'm like, what do you guys think? To my parents, they're like, you know what? We're here. Let's just do it. Went to Walmart. Bought a bright yellow full piece swimsuit.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

My aunt's like, there was like, I forget, 39 girls and I'm 14. I, like, barely made the cutoff date.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And so, by the way, in retrospect, that's like, so messed up, dude. So. And it was owned by Donald Trump, but we won't get into. So that's a whole other thing. That's a whole other thing. Right. But I was like. And the reason that I actually got into it is because some of the judges were radio people. I was like, oh, my gosh. And I didn't know how radio worked. I was like, they're gonna hear my song and want to put it on the radio because they're, you know, great. This is awesome. I had no idea. But I just still felt very compelled to do it.

[A]

If they were independent, I mean, that's not totally out of.

[B]

That is not out of the. You're right. You're Right. And at that time, too, it was very, very much that way. Like, you could play, like, songs on. Which I did do. Not with these guys, but in other aspects. But so ended up winning Miss Teen Idaho. You won? I won Miss Teen Idaho back in 2000. Wild.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

So. And this is all gonna connect. So when you go from Miss Teen. And I'm not a pageant girl by any means, like, I'm your first one on stage. I beatboxed on stage in a gown. Wait, what? Not even a joke. Don't ask me to beatbox. Cause I am a white girl.

[A]

We thought there was no talent section.

[B]

There wasn't. They just said, do you have any hidden talents? And I was like, yeah, I can beatbox. And they're like, okay, cool. Show us. I was like, oh, didn't know that was gonna happen. But whatever. Ended up winning Miss Teanet Oak. But then you have someone who trains you to walk and talk and handle press. Kind of like a media coach, but also like a coach. So this year, it was in Louisiana. It was Britney Spears, 98 degrees.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

It was, like a big thing to

[A]

go for Miss usa.

[B]

For Miss Teen usa.

[A]

Oh, Miss Teen usa.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yes. So my director was the wife of the lead singer, verse play. And she goes, my husband has to hear you sing. You have to play for him. And I was like, great. And so I played for him, and he's like, I want to sign you. Let's make a record. And I was like, done. I'm like, who? Miss Teen Miss Teen usa. What?

[A]

This little girl from a small town in Idaho, goes to a pageant, ends up having her dream. Feeling like it's coming true.

[B]

So wild. Yeah. So it actually did turn in what I had hoped for and what I felt pulled to. It did happen in a different way. Not the way I thought. Right. But in a way that was much bigger than I am. So then, obviously, we made a record. We actually. My first album was to tape, which was such a cool experience. And the engineer.

[A]

Wait, wait, I'm sorry.

[B]

So who signed you at the time? So it was Graham Russell from Air Supply.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And he had an indie label called A Nice Pair Records.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And so that was my first record deal, mind you. I went to miss Tin USA in the summer. Okay. Didn't win, like, top 10 or anything, but I won Miss Congeniality.

[A]

No way.

[B]

Super fun. And then.

[A]

And a movie was made after you.

[B]

Yes. It was not after me, but it came out, like, six months later, which was so wild. And all the people from the pageant Were actually in the movie, which is really fun. Really? I was kind of making a joke.

[A]

I didn't. Okay. Wow.

[B]

Literally. Because they were all like. I mean, they make fun of pageants in the movie a bit. It's very much like tongue in cheek.

[A]

A little tongue in cheek. Yeah.

[B]

But everybody that actually are doing pageants, like, the choreographer, he was in there doing the choreography. So it was really funny to, like, see.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Because I think we all. Everybody feels that way. I mean, don't get me wrong, There's a lot of people that are very serious about that. Like, it's a very. But at that time, too, you're just like, okay.

[A]

You kind of get it while you're doing it.

[B]

And obviously, like, as time went on, you realize, oh, this is kind of weird. Yeah, like, we can get into that. But you're like teenagers walking around in swimsuits. I don't know. Like, nobody was there to be like, this is a little strange.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Anyways. Okay, I digress. I don't know how people feel about that, but.

[A]

No, I. Yeah, lots to say, but that's a different conversation.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Continued after. Yes, but then from there. So I made an album. It was with Graham from Air Supply, who wrote all the songs, who was all about, like, write your own songs. Wasn't trying to write songs, push them. To me, he was like, you are such a talent. Like, really, like.

[A]

So he was a really great mentor for you.

[B]

An amazing mentor. Still to this day is like a second dad. Him and his wife are like second parents to me. And then Mark Towner Williams, who's. John Williams, the composer's son, is the one who did the first album, like, helped engineer and produce.

[A]

And were you, like. Was your artist name, like, your name.

[B]

Sherry Short.

[A]

Sherry Short, yeah.

[B]

Just Sherry Short the whole time. You can hear some of the stuff and it's. You know, you grow.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Such a time.

[A]

Right. I'm sure it was good, though.

[B]

It was. It was. It was such an experience. I got to play all the. They made sure I played all the guitars, even though that's not what I wanted to. But they were like, no, you play the electric.

[A]

You signed and you played guitar.

[B]

Yes. On majority of that record. Impressive to tape, which is wild. I love being able to do that. So, yeah. So from there, I opened up, like, a couple shows in the US For Air Supply. So it was like BB Kings in New York and then like the Orleans in Vegas. Cause they had, like a residency.

[A]

So you weren't like, background. You opened for them.

[B]

I opened. So then it went over so well. Cause it's a different demographic. They're like, we don't know how this is gonna work. But then. So I opened up and they're like, we're getting such great feedback that we would love for you to sing back, rumb vocals and do a couple duets throughout the show. So I got to do both. Oh, my gosh. And I basically toured with them for two years.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

While I was finishing school. Cause obviously I couldn't do high school.

[A]

Did you have a tutor with you?

[B]

So I had a. For the first time. I mean, I don't know if it was the first time, but you basically had someone online.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And it was like, very. It's now after Covid, everyone was like, oh, yeah, do it online. But then it was like a really, like. And I'd go back and like, take tests and like, have to. But I feel like I got a better education in a way. Being able to, like, see the world and then be like, oh, yeah, I just saw, you know.

[A]

Yeah. I just.

[B]

The Yucatan Peninsula and I just walked, you know, whatever.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So then from there, I ended up moving to LA for a major, like, wanting to sign a major deal because I loved. I love them so much, and I'm so grateful for just the impact they've had on my life. But I also felt that pull of, like, okay, I need things to sound more current and more like, radio friendly

[A]

and your age group.

[B]

Yes. And also, like, at the time, like, you're finding yourself out as an artist, you don't really know who you are. And even at this time, I did not know art. I still don't know who I am. I was like, listen, and I'm changing all the time. Let's be honest. Always evolving. Always evolving. Always. And some. I mean, look at all the artists that you see. You see artists involve in front of you, and they should be able to. And that's the point of art. Right. Growing and changing. So then there I came here and I had a manager and he basically took me to all, like, the big showcase for all the major labels at this time. They were doing a lot of, like, development deals and things like that still. And I mean, we did everything. I worked with the best producers, the best writers, and I ended up not getting, at the end, not signing a full record deal with any of the majors. And I was like, my life, like, this is crazy. Like, everything just kind of came into. I think I was 19 at the time. And I'm like, my life's Over. But at the time, like everybody was coming out younger and younger, so age was such a thing. And they'd be like, how old are you? And oh my goodness. Oh my God. So I was like, of course. Always cried every birthday just because I was like so old. 16. This is terrible. But it's true. But then 19, I ended up, you know.

[A]

So you didn't get any offers or you didn't accept any offers?

[B]

No, it was. I didn't get any. Like, I, I did not get any. They were like, we love her, we love this. There was all these positive like feedback, but they're like, we don't know what to do with her. We don't know. And so I did sign a development deal in there, but not a full out record deal. So it was like a lot of development where they were like putting me in with, you know, trying more electric stuff, trying more Avril Lavigne. At the time I worked with a team called the Matrix and then this girl named Jeannie Lurie and Brandon Christie, who is Lauren Christie. Do you know Lauren Christie who did all the Avril Lavigne stuff back in the day?

[A]

I think so, yeah. Yeah.

[B]

But she, so her, they actually, she and her. The Matrix, they took me to my first record label meeting at Maverick Records. So just a lot of history, but a lot of like work went into like showcasing and then like developing and like having like a four or five song ep kind of like, you know, making that four or five song EP that you're putting out kind of. You don't put it out yet, but you're like shopping. It is what it is, right? So no one ended up picking that up is what it ended up being. Even though after the development. So I was like, okay. But in the interim, Jeannie, one of the girls from. She's. She was a songwriter. We wrote a lot of great songs together. We wrote a song called A Song together when I first came to la and then I ended up like, I was like, okay, this is like one of those roller coaster moments. I need to get a job. I have to figure out how to stay in la because I know I'm supposed to be here. Okay, So I work.

[A]

What did your parents think and your family think about you staying in la, by the way?

[B]

I mean, to be honest, like, they supported me like in not, not financially by any means, but like in like

[A]

what you wanted to do.

[B]

Get em girl. Like do it. Like we like whatever you gotta do. And honestly I'm so grateful for that.

[A]

Were they still in Idaho.

[B]

Yeah, they're still in Idaho. And still to this day, still in Idaho, but. So I ended up working at Burke Williams Day Spa. I ended up waitressing. And I just, for the next couple years, just kind of, I would say hustled is how I would say it. But like, you know, schmoozing, going to all of the events that you're supposed to go to. You play shows, you write songs, co write. Like co writing was a new thing for me. I was writing with everybody. And then one of the songs that

[A]

Jeannie and I. Oh, so Jeannie was kind of acting as your manager?

[B]

No, she was just a co writing friend of mine at the time. My manager was a guy named Joe Beliotti.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

And he signed. They signed Michelle Williams or Michelle Williams. They signed Michelle Branch and Kelly Clarkson, I think. And like, they did.

[A]

They had a lot of Michelle Williams. Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was like, okay, later.

[B]

So then. Yeah, this is a lot of details.

[A]

No, I love it. I think this is great.

[B]

Usually. It's usually like a five minute thing. We'll wrap it all up with a book, right?

[A]

No, this is great. This is exactly what we want.

[B]

Okay, great. So then from there, I ended up, you know, just sending stuff out. But then that song was, you know why.

[A]

Let me interject for a second. Because I think people don't really understand, like, what it really looks like.

[B]

100, you know, and so this is. They think it's just like success to success, to success, to success. And I think it's so important to know the journey and know that it. It's like everyone's like, oh, it's luck, but you work hard for it. Like, you know, preparation meets opportunity. But it's really like, you work really hard, you open those.

[A]

I'll just say, like, as a. So, you know, my background, I had a consulting company in D.C. moved here five years ago to pursue my music career.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But I had always had it in mind, like, this is some messed up, like, messed up programming where I was like, oh, being a singer songwriter is somehow quote unquote, easy. Well, five years later, I'll tell you, it is not easy. Like, I don't. And I didn't think easy. I just thought, like, it was like, it was like fluff or something. Like it wasn't serious, if you know what I mean. Coming from like an Indian immigrant, like, east coast mentality, it was like not serious work.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So making that decision to pursue music seemed, I want to say, like maybe even frivolous or something with. And now it's like the. I know. It's the exact opposite. It's actually like, pursuing a creative career takes so much courage, so much and so much hard work and so much hustle. And there is no set path. You can't just go through the boxes you're supposed to check. You have to create it yourself. You have to have the stamina, the emotional bandwidth to keep withstanding every rejection after rejection.

[B]

So good, right?

[A]

Like, it's act. And at the end of the day, making music, actually, I believe now is the most kind of impactful thing we could do because it hits people's hearts.

[B]

Come on. Yeah, Right.

[A]

Like, it moves people. It's the human experience.

[B]

So good.

[A]

So I've done a whole 180 on how I thought about. Think about that. But, yeah, so it's so nice to hear from you, like, because you have achieved so much success also. But, like, what.

[B]

What it really looks like and what it really like. Exactly. You kind. You nailed it. And what it looks like is a lot of rejection in between. Right. So it's like redirection is redirection. So that rejection still caused me to keep writing stuff, keep honing my craft. But then we got a call that this one song that we wrote called this is the Life was gonna be on a show. A Disney show. Yeah, Disney show for a young girl. And it ended up being on Hannah Montana. It ended up being Miley. That cut it at 12, and it literally blew up. It changed my mind.

[A]

So how many years, like, after you decided to stay in la, when you didn't get picked up by major label deal was that cut?

[B]

Great question. This is probably like three years later.

[A]

Okay, so for three years, you're working your ass off.

[B]

Three, four years of just, like, you know, and obviously there's like, little moments. There's almost like you have this hope that goes on, but you're like, no, I'm working. I'm putting out a lot of songs out there. Something's got to hit, something's got to do something. Right. But you never know. That's not always guaranteed.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But, yeah, so that song, it sold, I think it was 3 million domestic, 3 million domestically, 5 million worldwide. And at the time, you know, when mechanicals were actually, there were actually albums being sold. So I was very lucky to get, like, the tail end before it changed. Okay, with.

[A]

So your royalties from that were pretty decent.

[B]

Yeah. I don't have to, like, tell all the business, but at the same time, like, I. I remember, like, sitting there getting off of my second Job. And I opened, like, a check for more money than I made at both my jobs. For that year?

[A]

For that year?

[B]

For the year.

[A]

Wait, can you. Can you share how much it was?

[B]

Well, this check, I mean, sure. Basically, like, $127,000. And I was like, what is happening?

[A]

Right?

[B]

What is happening? So it was like, mind you, you. You pay your taxes. You do all. You know, I made a lot of money from that. That specific song.

[A]

And do you. Do you continue to get royalties?

[B]

Yes, I continue. And now, because of this whole 20 year anniversary that just came up, it was such. Such a cool little, like, moment to, like, see her do this big anniversary 20th. She did three songs. She redid three songs, and they redid vinyl, and they did the theme song of the show, the Climb, and my song, this is. And our song, this is Life. So I wrote that with Jeannie Lurie. And it's just. We just have so much fun talking about it and being like, we can't believe we wrote that in my living room. And now it just started this whole movement. She went on to write a lot of Hannah Montana stuff, so it was very cool to see her journey. But then for me, it changed my trajectory because I was.

[A]

Wait, so I have to ask you. So, like, once that got cut and you knew it was gonna be on Hannah Montana and it was cut by Miley Cyrus, like, that seems like perfect timing for you, right? Like, such a cultural moment at the time. Like, the biggest cultural hit you could maybe get.

[B]

Well, we didn't even know she was gonna be huge. She was not huge. She was a young little girl that nobody heard of. Literally. Literally, like, it was the very first song she ever cut. And she tells the story. She won, like, a Legends award recently, and she tells the story. She's like, I was a little girl that nobody knew, and I had my first song called this is the Life. She's like. And we had to, like, pay people to come to the pretend show at the Glendale Mall of everyone pretending to sing along. It was just wild. She's like. But in turn, it changed.

[A]

Wait, first of all, I love that story, okay? Just so everybody knows that, like, a lot of these things, you have to orchestrate. Like, you have to orchestrate social proof before things take on your.

[B]

Well, because it was for the show. Because in the show, she's a pop star. She's a pop star. And then she, like. So it was like, right?

[A]

It was for the show.

[B]

It was for the show. But of course, singing along to this song, nobody knew the Words. Nobody knew who Miley Cyrus was, right? Until they did, you know?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But. So it was really cool to be a part of that moment. And. And just how many young girls at the time, it really impacted. It was a positive song. It's like, this is the life. Hold on tight. It's all about dreams, Literally. Literally all about, like, going after your dreams. And I think that it's such a simple message, but it's such a big message, you know? And I'm just. We were in giant arenas, kids singing along to this song, and I'm just like, I don't know, man. Like, this is a moment, right? What do you do for your, like,

[A]

confidence as a writer?

[B]

I mean, I would say at this time, I'm still, like, in my 20s, and I'm still like, oh, my gosh. Like, it sounds silly. I don't want to say this, because it's gonna sound terrible, but it's like, it wasn't cool at the time. Does that make sense? Yeah, it wasn't cool at the time, you know, and it wasn't something that I realized was such a big deal until later on.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, and also, even, like. Even, like, this show was blowing up, and I was like, wow, the show's doing really well. You don't see money for nine months to a year. So I was still doing, like, great. The songs out, awesome. Now I have people, like, wanting me to write for all these other shows, like Nickelodeon shows. And that's how I wrote with Ariana Grande. That's how I ended up in with Joe Jonas.

[A]

Were you in the room with these people?

[B]

Yes, I was in the room with these people, like, writing songs from scratch, trying to find their sound. So it was almost like I became behind the scenes. And there's a couple people who would call me, like, the secret weapon, because I'd, like, pull out from these artists, like, what do you really want to say? And it was because no one did that for me. You know what I mean? Nobody was really, like, what kind of music do you actually want to make? What do you listen to? What are you excited about? So it was really cool to be able to do that. And then not too long after, I ended up signing to Sony, Sony, the writing camp, which was Evan Bogart, Erica Neri, and David Quinones. And Evan had just come off of writing Halo for Beyonce, SOS for Rihanna. Erica Neuri actually wrote with Michelle Lewis the wing song. She also had a song with Fantasia that was up for a Grammy. So just amazing writers who were Basically mentoring us. Signed me to Sony through them. And that's when I started working with every. Everybody. Like, the doors were open. I was writing with everybody from, like, the hip hop world to country to Latin. It was just like.

[A]

Just every day, like a different.

[B]

Every three sessions. Three sessions a day? Five to six days a week. Yeah. When you talk. Burnout did not exist back then. They were like, no, no, no, no. You're also burnout.

[A]

Doesn't happen in your 20s. Like, now I understand it.

[B]

Yeah. Or. Or we're just so numb to like, gotta. Gotta make it. Gotta get the next hit. Gotta figure it out that you're like, in that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

No one talked about mental health. Like, it was just the beginning. Me too. Movement didn't happen, so we're still dealing with all that.

[A]

That's like 2006.

[B]

2006 is when the. The song came out. So this is like 2000? Yeah, about 2000. 7, 8, 9, 10.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Somewhere in there, I'm gonna. I don't even. The song came out to. So this had to be like, 2000. Maybe it was 2009, 2010, 2011. Around then.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because then from there, I was like, writing with everybody from. I mean, just everyone.

[A]

So, okay, so you're signed to Sony, which for most. I mean, that's like a. That's like the milestone that. That seems to be like the end of the journey for a lot of artists coming up for writers coming.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Like, so, like, I don't know what was. Was it like we imagine. Was it like people think or what was the real experience versus, like, the dream of a. A label?

[B]

I. I think. I mean, this is the first time I'm. I'm even thinking this in my head is like, it was the dream. But it's like you signed and everyone says, like, oh, that's when the work begins. Which is true. It made me almost be like, okay, finally I signed. I signed somewhere. Now people will take me seriously. Do you see what I'm saying? Even though I have years of experience and a good cut behind my belt, it was like, now people are gonna take me seriously as a pop writer. And I mean. And they were like, I was doing all. I mean, I was working with everybody, like, in camps and with people that I'm dreamed of. Right. Or never even thought would be mixed up with me. You know, a little girl with a guitar sitting in her room. But I loved it because I learned so much. And you had to bring your A game and you learned while doing, which I feel like is Kind of my. My life story is like, I didn't get a musical education. My education was, like, being in the room and learning from the greats, from the best of the best, and just kind of soaking that in. And sometimes you were like. You would be, like, the person in the room who brought a lot of the ideas, and you're like, yes, yes. And there's. Sometimes you were not. And I loved being that majority of the time because I got to be a fly on the wall and soak in this brilliance, and I'm like, man, you can't pay for this. Like, you know, So I really enjoyed. Was very tough when you'd, like, play songs for, like, the heads of the comp of, like, Sony, and they'd be like, this song shit. We hate this. We don't like this. And you're, like, sitting there and you're like.

[A]

Which also. Correct me if I'm wrong, but back then, I feel like those opinions were valued a little bit more than they are now.

[B]

Is that true? Yeah.

[A]

Because, like, now I feel like a lot of artists and writers will be like, well, you're wrong. We like it. We're gonna, like, that's. What is it Ross Golan? Was it Ross Golan? Who am I thinking of?

[B]

Who.

[A]

Who's Chapel Roan's record? Like, who wrote. I think it's Ross Golan.

[B]

Dan Negiro. I don't know how to say his last name.

[A]

Yes, yes, yes.

[B]

It's true.

[A]

But, like, that's what he says about Chapel getting dropped. He was like, that was my most. That was. I was celebrating because I felt like the executives were wrong.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, we were gonna take this and go somewhere with it.

[B]

And they did. And there were moments where I was like, okay, like, sure, I got that feedback, and I could have, like, tail between my legs. Gave up and was like, oh, my gosh, this is so embarrassing. Like, I was in a room of a whole bunch of people, and they, like, listened to my songs. And at the time, I was so precious about it. Like, these are my song babies, and I love them. And they're like, these are all shit. And you're like, okay, leave. Cry. I, like, actually cried in the meeting. I'm not gonna lie. I literally teared up in the meeting. And I'm like, this is so embarrassing. And I tried not to, like. And I didn't, like, hysterically break down, but I definitely was like, stop it. Right, right. And then. But a couple of those songs actually got cut, so at the same time. But at the Time I took their. And I still do. Like, I still. So much respect. But I realized that, you know, it's

[A]

not the end all.

[B]

It's not the end all. And art is up to the person. Subjective up to the person. It's like, okay, maybe they didn't like that, but a lot of it was all men. A lot of men in a room that were maybe 20 years or more older than me giving me some feedback on this. And I'm like, cool, you know, And I still. I still had so much respect for what they've done, and I still have. And I. I think it's important to always, like, I don't know, like, have. Some people will make, like, people ask me for. For guidance on songs, and I'm like, this is what I would do. But at the end of the day, it's really up to you. Like, if you were like, I really feel strongly about that. Your gut wins. You know what I mean? Your gut wins over because you're the artist and nobody wants to hear what somebody else has to say. They want to hear what you have to say. How messy, however messy it might look, you know, so. So yeah, signed to Sony. It was amazing. And then Erica Nuri from the writing camp, she called me up and she's like, hey, so Demi's team's looking for a background singer to sing this song called Skyscraper for an Ellen show. And I was like, okay. She's like, would you want to do it? I'm like, why not? I always said yes to many things. And I was like, yeah, why not? So I get there.

[A]

But you considered yourself more of a writer than a singer at the time.

[B]

At the time, I was like, completely in rooms. Being the songwriter. I was the songwriter, and I would make sure and establish that. That I'm the songwriter. Because I never wanted to make an artist be like, oh, is this another artist that's coming in trend? And I'm like, listen, been there, done that. And I really believed that. Like, I was like, that was my past life, and here I am. I'm always gonna be an artist. Like, I'm always gonna create. I'm always gonna, like, sing stuff and make stuff happen. But I wasn't pursuing it and genuinely wasn't pursuing it because I was like, you know, I'm kinda. I might a little too shy. I've done it. I did it. You know, I got to tour. I got to do some fun stuff. But so then I showed up to rehearsal, and they handed me, like 22 songs to learn, and I Was like, what is going on?

[A]

You're like, I thought this was just skyscraper.

[B]

Yeah, I thought it was just skyscraper. So I was like having this whole battle back and forth. I, like, didn't know what to do because they're like, this is for a full tour. This is like the Unbroken tour.

[A]

Not just for the Ellen show, but

[B]

the Ellen show was in a couple days.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I was like, okay, so how am I gonna, like, like, I'm signed to Sony, first off. I'm writing three sessions five days a week. They're never gonna let me go on this tour. This is not gonna happen. But I was in a meeting, like, a couple days later with this guy, Jim Vellutato, who is one of my reps at Sony. And he was like. He was like, nah, do it. He's like, you should do it. And I was like, really? He's like, yeah. He's like. A lot of our writers that are on tour with Rihanna are getting tons of cuts. And I was like, you don't have to tell me twice. And I'd just gone through, like a really, like a big breakup of like three, three years or so, almost three and a half years. And so I was like, do you know what? I think this is a good thing for me to do. The timing worked out, mind you. I did a couple with the writing camp. We did like, a couple, like, TV shows. I was a mentor on a couple kids shows on the Hub Network, which was really fun. And then I literally just left and went on tour with Demi Votto. And it was a great experience. I'm so grateful for it. And for two years, for off and on for two years, tours are never like. It's usually like, okay, you're gone for two, three months, you're back for a month, you're gone for two, three months. But the Unbroken tour, that was the leg that was for those two years. So this is about 2013, I think now is where we're at 2012 or 2013. And then one of Demi's managers, she had two. One of them broke off and started her own management company. She was like, wanted it to be like a woman led management company. And she hired me as her head of music development. And so I became. I started switching to, like, the business side of things. Business side of things. Mind you, I've always loved business. And even on tour, like, people were asking me advice about what is publishing and how do we collect. And I'm like, you got to get it in order.

[A]

You had all the answers.

[B]

Well, yeah, because I'd been through it, you know, and I'm like, and I'm. I like, you know what?

[A]

Even some people who have been through it can't remember shit.

[B]

Well, let's be honest or do it wrong. It's convoluted, it's complicated. I feel like it's like America's health system. Like it's very, very, very intense. And to understand it and be like, oh, this is a co pay, this is whatever. It's like, you know, your pro, you know, collects for this. And then sound exchange, there's so many things. So I was being asked questions while on tour for a lot of situations and I was like, oh, this is interesting. But that's why I was brought on, you know, management. So then I started managing an artist named Rebecca Black. First artist actually. And it was a little nerve wracking because it was like that she had Friday years before and nobody was taking her seriously. And so I had to like get into rooms and, and like have. Have people like give me favors to like just get into the room. Well, yeah, but I mean, and she knew that too. And it was such a hurdle to go over. But man, it, it worked. Like, got in the room with Finneas, got her in the room with Finneas. She did like a couple of songs with him, did remixes, started doing more dance stuff. We were on the dance charts with like, like two different songs, which was amazing. And then I ended up starting my own management company and I started managing writers, producers and writers producers and like mentoring a couple artists. I didn't sign them specifically cause I knew how hard managing artists is. And so I ended. During this time was also writing.

[A]

Did you have a team?

[B]

No.

[A]

So you were yourself doing it for

[B]

all of these different. Just me at this point when I was with Sony, obviously we had a team, right. And then. Yeah. So then after that it was just kind of me figuring it out as management. It was just me. And I was like having like friends help or like if I had a PR person that I could hire for certain things, then I would. And because of going through like a giant like Philly Mac, a big management company, you know, a lot of people, you know, makeup artists, you know, hair, you know, you know, all the glam people, you know, the PR people that would probably work for certain artists. And so as this was actually happening, I was writing a lot. Still writing, still signed to Sony, still writing, but just obviously not three times a day and super single. And I was like, I have nowhere to be. I Am just going to, like, go in and just give it everything I have. And I did some stuff in the Latin world and I worked a lot with Sofia Reyes on her first album when she was 16, and then her second album, which it blew up, we did a song called Rip, which we got. It's all about, like, female empowerment, too, which I think is cute. And it was Rita Ora Anita. And the song did really, really well. It was called RIP and had global success. And I think. I think it. It topped the charts on Billboard. I think it went up to 40. Or was it. It was 40 or 29. I forget. I don't know why that's such a weird 29 or 40. It did well, though. It did really well. Radio, all of that. So that was really exciting. I also had some country cuts come out with, like, big artists. I did a lot in country as well. I'd like, go and do. Even at this time, while I was managing, I'd do like. In country, you usually do, like, weekends.

[A]

Did you. Oh, really.

[B]

Like, they do weekend shows and then you'll jump on the writer's bus. Like, I. Thomas Rhett had a tour and I went out with them and it was Russell Dickerson and Daniel Bradbury had a couple Daniel Bradbury cuts. Anyways, a lot of fun, A lot of. But all these, like.

[A]

Tell us about the writers bus. What does that mean? So after they do a show, like, you come back on the bus and you write.

[B]

Yeah. So because a lot of times during tour, you. You have sound check and then you do your show at night. But during the day you have time to, like, do whatever you want. Obviously, if people are. We were on a sober tour, Demi. So, like, you didn't have time to, like, be hungover and not be productive. It was like we were in the gym and then we were, like, being productive. Right. So they do that a lot in the country world, too, where it's like they have a writer's bus, where whenever there's time, it's like you can go and do vocals. Like, I. I don't know if you saw the. The document. Was it. Was it Ed Sheeran or Benny Blanco? But like, Benny Blanco was on the bus. He had a writer's bus with Ed Sheeran, and they did everything in the back of the bus while on tour. It's smart. I love that because the labels are asking for the next album, and if you can do it at the same time, it's not an easy task because you're like. You kind of want to Touring mode and then your creative mode. You know, sometimes that's a different space to be in, and everybody is different. Every artist is different. But. But, yeah. So went on the writer's bus a couple times, and it was a lot of fun. So had that song come out, and then this is. When was it? This is now 2000.

[A]

Wait, which song?

[B]

1617. Oh, what do you mean, oh, you

[A]

said I had that song come out.

[B]

Oh, with Daniel Bradbury, like country. And then the Rita Ora song.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Or say Rita or Sofia Reyes featuring Rita Ora and Anita called Rip. Check it out. And it was from there we ended up doing some film and TV stuff just with one of the producers that I signed. We got a call, and they're like, hey, we need something by tomorrow that needs to sound like this for this commercial. And I wanted to. And I haven't been like. I've sang stuff. I've had moments of, like, singing on things, but nothing where I'm like, oh, yeah, let me give you my vocals. It's usually for demos for other people. And the time was so short that we're like, okay, let's just do it. And so ended up doing this. And it did, like. I think it got the placement. And so we were like, okay, this is crazy. We need to do a few more things in this vein, and let's create a band around it. That's how it started. And then we did one or two more songs, sent them to this agency to this girl named Marianne Good. She had an agency called AA ammg. Love her so much. And she ended up getting our stuff placed everywhere, like, from, like, AT&T to Google Ads. All the. All the things, like, we just. We hit on something that wasn't there. It was very much like a female empowerment, but it's very, like, blues rock. And you're a voice.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I mean, little did I know. I'm like, oh, we're coming back as a. We're making a band. You know, like, we had no idea that this was gonna do something. So then. So then we're like, okay, let's put together a band name. Let's make it legit. I can use all my marketing background, all my. All the things that I've done from before. All of us, you know, as a.

[A]

So there was a producer who was the other people on it.

[B]

So there's Rick Seibold. He's a producer. There is Andrew Burns, who is also a producer from London. They all live here now. And. And me. And we just were like, here we are.

[A]

There's three of us list and stuff.

[B]

Yes. I, I will say I play guitar, but not as well as Andrew. Andrew is a much better guitar player by far. He was like jazz trained. He's just phenomenal. So he plays all of those guitars. Not like my first album, thank God. Very different. But like. But it was such a great. The three of us were such a great team.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I was like, let's call it something because we all live in la. Sounds very cheesy. But I was like, let's do it. So when they go through and try to find the artist, we're at the top. Yeah, let's choose a number. So I was like, oh, well, 310.

[A]

God, that marketing brain. All the little things you could think of.

[B]

But we didn't know it was gonna actually stick and be a part of, like.

[A]

So I cut you off. So it's 310.

[B]

It's 3. 10, spelled 3 with the number O N, E, O, H O H. So that's how it is. And we basically had an album called 1111 that did crazy well. We did. I mean, we've. We got so many placements. So many, so many placements. And then do you think that's the

[A]

best way for, like a artist coming up to kind of get traction is to go for placements?

[B]

I think that is a. A big bonus. And the reason I think it's a big bonus is because it's free marketing. All of a sudden you get a song in a show, they're every. Everybody's promoting you, NBC's promoting you. This person who, whatever the show is on, you know, there's Spotify playlists. All of a sudden you're getting on playlists where they. There's fans, huge fans who all of a sudden become your fans. And then they're like, you know, shazami, where did this song come from? There's so many things that come into it. We. And not to talk about money, but we made so much money. I was like, I'm not managing anymore. Like, this is not what I'm doing. It's too much work for. This was so amazing. And I got to sing and I got to be creative. Mind you, I was still. I became the CEO of a small record label, a boutique record label, of course, at the same time. Wait, what? I know. Oh, by the way, my years are like, kind of like, you know, lots of things. You don't just do one thing a year, you do many things in a year. Visionary, right? You're a visionary. It's like you have all these ideas and you see what sticks.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But. Yeah. So I was the CEO of a small boutique record label. We signed Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child, used all the expertise from managing, from doing all that, like, made her first single, the Gorgeous pr. I mean, everything was gorgeous. This was right before COVID still came out. Did really well. But then we were all at home being like, okay, so that's. I decided not to come back to be the CEO anymore. Still very close with that whole. With all of them. But I ended up having babies. Okay. You know, during my life. How did you meet your husband? Okay, so when I was managing Rebecca Black, we went to Norway to work with an artist, and we were working with this artist, and I got on Tinder at the end of my trip and met my husband. Stop. I didn't meet him there. It's a long story. That's a whole.

[A]

So wait, would you share or.

[B]

No, I don't mind. Okay, so you're in. Oh, my gosh. This is such, like a.

[A]

And you get on Tinder for la.

[B]

Oh, my gosh. My husband's gonna hate this. Okay, so this is. True story.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Six months prior, I was working with these producers. You know who Toby Gadd is?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

So Toby Gadd had two producers that he mentored. Josh Cumby and Afshin. And. And we went. I forget. We worked on lots of projects together. We worked on some Sofia stuff together. That's how I met them in the first place. Sophia Reyes stuff. And we went to lunch, and they're like, sheri, you gotta get on Tinder with us. They were like, both newly single. They're like, you gotta get on Tinder with us. We're doing, like, group dates. Group dates? Yeah. I was like, oh, isn't that like a hookup app or something? They're like, no, no, no, no. It's not the same thing. That's Grindr. I'm like, what? And I didn't know any of this, by the way. So very. Mind you, I'm like a businesswoman. I'm out here doing stuff, making stuff happen. And they're like, no, we need somebody else. Like, we need. We need a female to come with us to make the girls feel comfortable. We've had such so much fun. And I was like, ah, it's not my thing. Next day, I'm with them again. And they literally convinced me because they are so good at what they do. They're just like, no, you got to. This is gonna. We had. We just Went bowling, and it was amazing. And they're like, what are you gonna do? Where are you gonna meet somebody? I'm like, oh. I'm like, okay. So we end up. They ended up helping me with my profile. My profile. Like, the pictures, they were just so good. My bio was like, if you.

[A]

Were they professional. Were they like, your professional photoshoot pictures?

[B]

I mean, they were everything. They were a mixture of everything, and that was what they were like. The first one has to be mysterious. The second one, you gotta be smiling.

[A]

They had a third one.

[B]

Oh, they, like, had it down. Like, credit to them, but that is also who they are. They're very like. But my bio ended up being. If you like your base low and your standards high, swipe right.

[A]

Oh, hey, wait, stop. Can I steal that?

[B]

Please? Please do. But it was so funny. And so for a couple of days, I was on this. Immediately it became. I don't know if it's like a dopamine rush, but you're like, oh, my gosh. And you're like, there's so many people popping up and super likes. And you're like, this is crazy. Like, and then you're talking, having conversations,

[A]

but you're in Norway.

[B]

No, I'm here. Oh, you're here. Six months prior.

[A]

Oh, got it.

[B]

Six months prior Here. And then I was like, this is just too much. Like, I have so much going on. We're getting the release of, like, of Michelle Williams off the ground. Like, there's so much going on. When I tell you I'm, like, wearing so many hats, I'm like, I can barely breathe. And I was like, I love you guys so much, but I have to get off Tinder. Like, I just can't. Like, it was fun for a couple days, but now I'm just, like, so overwhelmed.

[A]

Did you go on any one of those group dates with the two of them?

[B]

I didn't. I never went on a date. So. And probably so me, I'm like, yeah, sure, sure, tease. And then, like, nope, not doing it right, Right. So then I ended up, like, deleting the app. Six months later, I'm in Norway. And by the way, you meet so many people, and they're so nice. So nice. So good looking, patient, everybody. You're like, where am I? Like, this is so at the end, we were there for nine days, and it was like, the eighth day, and I was like, do you know what? I was in the studio. Oh, this is what happened, actually. It was in the studio. There was this artist that we were with. He Was in the corner. I won't call him out, but I was like teasing him. I'm like, what are you doing over there? Who are you talking to? Why are you smiling? I'm giving him a hard time. And he's like, I'm on Tinder. And I was like, what? He's like, I'm on Tinder. And I was like, I have no idea what you're saying. And he turns it around and he's like, it said Tinder. I'm like, tinder exists outside the US I had no idea. No idea. And I was like, this is so exciting. Oh my gosh. I'm like, I'm gonna get on Tinder when get back to my hotel room. Just because.

[A]

Uh huh. Why not?

[B]

So I get back on there, I can't believe I'm telling the story.

[A]

I love it.

[B]

So I get back on there and I realize my profile has been going for six months. Because you're supposed to delete the profile, not the app, right? I just, I just deleted the app.

[A]

You couldn't. Out of sight, out of mind.

[B]

So I'm like literally sitting there in full embarrassment. But thank God, because it was like a 1 mile radius of like where it was at. Where I I'm sitting basically, is where it is. And I was in the hotel and I'm just there, like, so embarrassed, being like, I'm seeing people I know, industry people. And I'm like, this is.

[A]

Oh my God. You were probably mortified.

[B]

Mortified, mortifying. And I'm like, well, that's what I get for not like, you know, understanding this kind of technology and dating. Anyways. And then I get this lovely message, super like, and a lovely message from this guy. And we just instantly hit it off. We're talking about like spirituality, like, talking about like our family for four hours, texting that night, texting through Tinder. And I was like, this is weird. And he was like, funny and witty. And I was like, okay, there's something here. Cut to. He wanted to meet me the next day. I didn't. I got really, like, nervous. So I went back to la. Did not see him, but we talked and then we ended up getting on FaceTime. And then about a month later, he's like, I'd love to fly and come and see you. This is working. Like, I just feel like this is one of those things, like we have to meet each other. And I was like, I didn't feel comfortable with him staying in my home. I was like, I don't know. That'd Be weird. He's like, I can stay somewhere else. Like, don't. No pressure. And so I basically, he told me the dates he wanted to come and I just said, I was like, ah, no, I'm just too much going on. So then of course that night, I'm like, with one of my greatest gay guy friends and he's like, what's wrong with you? You just need to go, what's wrong? No, you're absolutely going. He's like, you're gonna book the flight now. He's like, if you go. He's weird. You can have a great vacation. You know people there. You can work with people. I'm like, that's a good point. So I booked my flights without him knowing. And then I sent him my itinerary and he. That was it. I ended up seeing him. Ended up like after nine days of being there, he was like, will you be my girlfriend? And here we are, two babies later. That's a crazy. Yeah, it's wild. It's wild.

[A]

So eventually he moved to LA for you.

[B]

So he moved to la. We basically got engaged. Not. Not even a year later. It was like, I want to say like 10 or 11 months. Got engaged and then got married in the courthouse first. And then planned our wedding and everything. And then Covid happened. So he was here. Covid happened, so he stayed here. And we were just like, okay, time

[A]

to have some babies.

[B]

This is what it is. And then baby number one and then baby number two. Meanwhile, like, you know, life is happening. Lots of things are happening. 310 is doing really well.

[A]

Right?

[B]

And yeah. So then, and then after that, like, obviously now I don't even know where we are time wise or whatever we, we are.

[A]

Actually we're at, we're at almost an hour. But this conversation has flown by because.

[B]

Fascinating. Oh my gosh. Because we talked about Tinder, you know, another sponsorship for you.

[A]

Bring them.

[B]

Bring them. Why not? But yeah. So then after that we, I, I have two beautiful children. I have a two year old and a five year old little Viking boys. And we ended up, you know, starting our lives. And meanwhile, I still do some of the same stuff. I do a lot of film and TV stuff. I started working more on animation in the animation field, which I have never really done.

[A]

What does that, what does that mean? But on writing, like, like writing songs.

[B]

So there's like an animation project coming out on Netflix in the fall that I've written songs for. And I'm like rapping one of the. Rapping like one of the Vocals for one's wrapping.

[A]

So you're beatboxing it.

[B]

Listen. Well, even when I first signed to Sony, I started doing a lot of, like, rapping place. Oh, yeah. Like, there was a song that went. There was a song that was on. What was it called? It's, like, the number one on my Spotify page. But it went viral because it was JoJo Siwa. JoJo Siwa's, like, dance mom song.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That they had called, like, Boss Ladies. And I'm rapping in it, and I

[A]

did not know it. Everybody go check that out.

[B]

Oh, it's crazy. I did not know it was gonna go viral. And it has upticks because of, like, JoJo will dance it all the time on her tik. It's just so bizarre. Yeah, but. So that. But, like, I do. I do a lot of rap. I do a lot of, like, like, so in this show, I'm. I'm vocally singing one of the parts and then rapping one of the parts, and then, you know, still other film and TV placement stuff. With Three One Zero, we had a song that came out today.

[A]

Yeah. So 310 had a song came out today.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Called Let It Burn.

[B]

Called Let It Burn.

[A]

Okay. And I. I listened to it this morning. It's so good. And that's why I said your voice earlier, because I'm like. It's so surprising because, you know, some people you can, like. Oh, yeah. You see, like, that voice goes with that person. Like, you just kind of, like, put it. I was actually surprised. Like, dang.

[B]

I love this sound.

[A]

It's so unique. And, like, how's this, Like. Yeah, like, bluesy grit. And, like, it's really special.

[B]

Isn't that wild?

[A]

No, it's awesome. Has that always been your voice?

[B]

I would say probably. You know, you change your voice, at least for demos. When I'm singing for other people, you try to sound like different people. So it's. I feel like I've been like, you can kind of do whatever doing things, but if. If I would say I've always loved, like, emotional singing, and to me, like, if you can make it emotional and make it authentic, then you're winning. And when artists change, you know, like, artists have different, like, seasons. And sometimes it's, like, getting more into that emotion. Sometimes it's, like, playful. Some. It just depends where you're at, you know? So I feel like this is my season of being a little bit more, like, badass grit, you know? So that's kind of fun. And I love it that I'M doing it while I'm a mom. But the fact that. And even a lot of our other 310 stuff, it was a little more pop, but still the same vocal vocals. It's that same kind of grit. And who would have thought. Who would have thought that I would be in a band and be a lead singer of a rock band? Who. Who thought. I don't know.

[A]

What's let it burn? What's let it burn about?

[B]

It's actually political, but we won't get into that. Yeah.

[A]

Wait, we can get into it.

[B]

I mean, it's a bit political. I don't want to speak for my. For my bandmates.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Because not everybody always agrees on the same thing, but it's just basically about, like. It's not always black or white. There's, like, gray.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

There's gray smoke that we're inhaling.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

That's literally, like.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Interesting.

[B]

Very interesting. If you saw the lyrics, I mean, you could interpret different ways. But that's also how I love to write. I love to leave it up to interpretation.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

You know, like, how.

[A]

Like, not make it, like, super literal.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So. So. Yeah. But.

[A]

Okay. Just as a writer, I have a question for you. So, like, in terms of songwriting, I feel like there are so many different styles. Right. Like, there are really great songwriters who are much more literal. Yeah, right. And then there are. But then when you're taught songwriting, it's, like, literal is. Is what you don't want to do.

[B]

It's a good point.

[A]

Right. I don't know. Like, where do you come down on that in terms of, like, how to write?

[B]

Great question. I feel like it's different for every artist. I have a lot of artists who are very, like, conversational, and they want to, like, literally say exactly what they thought in their head in that moment when they were at the bar thinking about that guy. And then it'll make sense for them. And then we write like that, you know? And then I also have. If it's for film and tv, sometimes it needs to be a little bit more, like, generally specific. Right.

[A]

What is generally specific?

[B]

Generally specific. It's like, you're not saying, that guy. I went to the bar on 7th street, the new York City, on a rainy day. You're like, what? You know, sometimes. But when you're an artist, you're like. You get into the details because it's fun in those verses, and you still can in those verses sometimes. But then those choruses, you want it to be like, it's kind of left open, like, for everyone to be like.

[A]

It could be specific enough.

[B]

Yeah. It's about something like, let's just use Let it burn. Not that I'm trying to like, but let it burn. Let it burn. We've got a fire. Let it burn. You're like. That could be placed in any show. It could be like, to the patriarchy. It could be. To the. This could be. To the. Whatever it might be. It could be many different things. It could be a house fire, firefighters coming. You know what I mean?

[A]

Right.

[B]

I mean, that's not the best example. But generally, specifically where you're talking, like, let it burn.

[A]

Why not?

[B]

You're not talking about something specific that you ate that day in detail. Because not everybody's going to relate to that. Right. So it's a little bit more broad. And that's pop in a way, too. You want to make it easily digestible, not just lyrically, but melodically. Something that people. It's like a warm hug or feels like. Oh, my gosh. I could sing along to this. This is so nice. Right? And it's different every time. Like. Like the song that. That we just had on Hacks, that was different.

[A]

Was that on season three of Hacks?

[B]

That was just season five.

[A]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[B]

Final season five? Yeah, season five, Episode three.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And it is. Was it episode three, three or four? But it. Basically, we were given the title Summer Squash.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And they were like, write a song that sounds like a hit top 40 called Summer. It has summer Squash. And I was like, oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Like, but of course, me, I'm like, challenge accepted. Absolutely. We will do it, and we will make it sound amazing. And it's like this almost. It's like a. Like a modern day, I don't know, rock star mixed with DNCE and Harry Styles. And it's just.

[A]

Oh, God, I can't wait to go check it out.

[B]

It's got a vibe.

[A]

I haven't watched the season yet, which I really need to watch.

[B]

It's really good. So they play it and she actually, the main character is she. She's like, I don't want to give away anything, but she basically says, what do you think this song is about?

[A]

Oh, they talk about the song.

[B]

They talk about the song. Okay.

[A]

Can't wait. Okay.

[B]

And there is a famous actor who is singing it.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Okay. And I will not divert. Okay. All right.

[A]

So everyone has to go watch.

[B]

Exactly. But this is the one that they. That basically the network put up for consideration for the Emmys. The Primetime Emmys. Because there's a lot of Emmys. There's, like, children's Emmys. There's lots. But this is primetime Best original song. So I'm like, do you know what? I'll take. Take it. Yeah. But lots of ups and downs. This is not. This is not a linear journey. There's always, like, you're figuring it out, you know?

[A]

Do you think that there is a destination, always a destiny?

[B]

I just. I want to do. I want to create things that I really, really want to create. Yeah. And that I'm passionate about. And I think that comes first. Like, that it feels really good. And it's, like, incubated and. And, like. I don't know. I just think it's such a wonderful thing to be able to be in that space and do it not for the money, not for anything else, but because you genuinely love it and put those kinds of things out in the world. And I think that's true authenticity with artists. You know, when they're, like, really, like, believing and loving what they're saying. Other people are going to believe you. Other people are going to buy in if you want to treat it like a business, but they're going to be like, oh, my gosh, I believe what she's saying. You know, even with your podcast, like, people love you because you're just so lovable. You know what I mean? And they buy into it because it's true. You're really being. When I met you, you're exactly the same person. Do you know what I mean? Like, I was just like, oh, she's such a vibe. I want to hang out with her. What better thing to have a podcast that someone wants to hang out with you. Right. And I think that. That it speaks volumes, you know? And so if you do what you do now, obviously I haven't heard any of your music yet, but what if you do what you do here and put that into your artistry? How can no. Nobody. How can people not like it if you're being authentic to yourself? You know what I mean?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Genuinely.

[A]

Yeah. Okay. I love that so much. I feel like I could talk to you for days.

[B]

I'm sorry I talked so much.

[A]

Which don't be sorry about. That's amazing. Maybe we can do a part two. I love it.

[B]

We should. We absolutely should.

[A]

Okay. That would be amazing.

[B]

To be continued.

[A]

To be continued for now. I want everybody to go check out 3, 1 0.

[B]

Thank you. Yes.

[A]

Right.

[B]

3 o n e o h. And the new song is called Let it Burn.

[A]

Let it burn.

[B]

Let us know what you think.

[A]

Ah, thank you so much for sharing energy.

[B]

So appreciate. Wow. Just wow. Just wow. Okay, love you. Bye. Iconic, you know.