Since the release of her first album in 2013, Shin Seol Hee has built her reputation day by day. A winner of Independent Project and shortlisted in the Sangsang Madang Band Discovery Top 6, Shin Seol Hee is set to bring her unique music to the UK this summer with a performance at Chester Live.
Shin’s music is a folk mix of rock and pop. Her complete immersion in her music, from performance to production, mean she is able to tell an engaging story in sound and visual. BritROK spoke to Shin about her music, her upcoming performance in the UK, and her inspirations.
Could you introduce yourself?
Hi, all. I am Shin Seol Hee, a singer-songwriter based in Korea. Nice to meet you.
MelOn lists your music folk, drama, and electronica categories, how would you define your music?
It is always hard to define my music genre. To say the least, my songs are pop or rock based on folk. I do my best to fill the music with my soul.
Which of your songs do you consider your favourites?
Circle, ±0, and Childhood, which is about to be released.
I worked on Circle to comfort myself while I was going through difficult times. It was released 2 years ago, but it still comforts me. Many fans seem to like it too.
I suffered from insomnia while working on ±0. Back then, my life was frustrating. I finally felt the bright side of my life, when I completed ±0. It was a breaking moment. Maybe that is the reason why I am attached to ±0.
Childhood is all about my memories of that time. I was really ill on the day I recorded this song. When I record, I usually say to myself ‘Let’s rock this recording.’ Childhood day was different. I kept reminding what I need to focus on: ‘Just think about myself working on this song. That is the only thing I need to do. That is the only thing.’ Looking back, I may have sang Childhood more emotionally than any of my songs.
Have there been any memorable moments in your career recently?
Pattie Boyd, a muse for George Harrison and Eric Clapton and married to both, is having a photo exhibition in Seoul for the first time. Thankfully, I was invited to its opening. At the opening event, I performed Layla, Wonderful Tonight, and Bell Bottom Blues, which Eric dedicated to her. I then had a chance to look around the exhibition. It was full of photos of George and Eric that Pattie took. While looking back on her challenging but fairy-tale-like life, I somehow have been thinking what life is all about.
How did it come about that you edited your own music video for Another Season?
I self-studied video stuff by trying out well-known video programs. In the case of the Another Season music video, I visualised images that popped up my head. I still have some images in my head, but I need more techniques to make them work. It is one of my plans – to study video editing.
Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with?
I accidentally have listened to Gongjoong Doduk’s songs. OMG, all of his songs are breathtaking. Collaborating with Gongjoong Doduk will be superb.
How are you preparing for your appearance at Chester Live?
I am so excited for my first performance in Europe. I can try guerilla tactics [to promote]. Actually, I don’t have any ideas at the moment. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Most of my songs are in Korean, so I can’t guarantee whether British people will like them or not. Hopefully they do. Two are in English, so I will perform them whenever I have a chance to be on stage. How people react to my live performance is always different from how I imagine it. Nevertheless, I think people in the UK may be interested in the songs: Palette, Circle, and Nightingale.
Most of all, I hope 2017 UK tour will not be “work”, but a fun experience. I can’t ask for more – if I can gain new inspirations from my tour, and it has a positive effect on my life [it will be a fun experience].
I love travel. All travel-related stuff is heart-throbbing: Wandering around new places; meeting people from different backgrounds; and taking pictures. I am looking forward to this summer more than ever. Hopefully I have meaningful summer in European cities.
What are your plans for the rest of 2017?
My new EP will be released in early 2018. I need to work on that while performing at music-related events from time to time. As a cooperating musician of PLATFORM Chang-dong 61, I would like to host fun but unique gigs there. Please stay tuned for my next move.
What words do you live by?
Everything may end at some point, such as good moods, bad moods, or whatever. But, I should not be lethargic. I need to support myself to live my life to the best of my ability.
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Shin Seol Hee will be performing at Chester Live alongside PATiENTS and 57 in a Korea Rocks showcase. Catch the showcase on Friday, June 23rd at The Saddle (Grosvenor Street, Chester).
Shin Seol Hee on Social Media
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