Exclusive interview

Shirley A. Sesler

What first influenced you to get into music at such a young age?  I was born and raised in a Pentecostal church, and I was always surrounded by great powerful music. My family is made up of many pastors, musicians and singers. So, my influence came from my upbringing and being part of a musical family. 


What was it like growing up in New Jersey?  It was wonderful growing up in New Jersey. I had a wonderful childhood with 2 very spiritual parents that raised me right. I started playing piano at the age of 9 and then I was hired by my first church at the age of 19. From that point on I played for many churches and I met so many people and we all just put our gifts together and created a sound of worship and praise each Sunday. 


You are very close to your church and God; how much does he influence your music? I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for God being the main source of my life. He has given me the gift, talent and anointing to create, write, sing and produce. I give all Glory to Him. Playing at home and then bringing my gift to the church is where it all started. Now God has allowed me to enter a new genre of music and that is instrumentals. 


Where do you currently record? I record in my home. I have a set up for everything that I need. My husband has purchased major equipment that I need to have the right set up to produce great music. I have added more equipment to enhance everything that I produce with the desire to create great music for the listener.   


What is in your arsenal of music equipment, that you use to create music?  My 3 main arsenals is my creative mind, my MOXF8 Yamaha and my Macbook PRO. We all work really well together.


Besides piano, are you fluent with any other instruments?  I have played the organ in all the churches. I love drums and can play them, but I need a lot of practice to become a great drummer. Since I play by ear, I truly feel that I can play bass and lead guitar if I really put my mind to it, but that’s not a major area of interest for me right now. 


Do you perform live often? No, I use to when my first inspirational CD came out entitled “We Need Your Healing.” I sang at many churches and special functions when that CD came out. But I have always sung in church as an organist, leading some praise and worship and singing in choir. I just retired from my position of organist in church. I put 25 years in and 2 churches that I retired from this year. I feel its time to pass the torch to the younger musicians. So now I am producing instrumentals and still writing inspirational songs that will be released soon. 


In your opinion, what is the hardest part of releasing music? The hardest part is making sure that it's right. Not just in your ears, but to the listeners as well. You have to make sure all of your instruments are level right and if you are singing on a track, you have to make sure everything is leveled right. That can take 30 plus takes to get it right. 


Tell us about your latest project. My latest project excites me till no end because it is something new and fresh and I never knew that I was gifted to do. FEEL THE MUSIC INSTRUMENTAL, is a collection of instrumentals based on feeling and mood. Whatever I am feeling while producing, that is the sound that you are going to get. I am using electronic software/keyboard and I am just creating whatever I am feeling at the moment. 


What can we expect from you in the future? You can expect a hot Feel the Music Zumba Beats CD coming out January 2019. Also, you can expect an inspirational single that I wrote about my dad since his passing, March 3, 2019. Also, I will be releasing other inspirational music. The next volume of “Feel the Music Instrumental Beats," will be dropping Summer 2019. 

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