About Sharmaine

Sharmaine is a Singer/songwriter from Seattle, WA. She is from South Seattle's Rainier Beach neighborhood. Sharmaine has been singing since she was about seven years old. She would always be involved in school choir activities and talent shows and even got the chance to perform a rendition of Minnie Riperton's "Loving You" for the Seattle Public School board member Betty Patu at The Royal Room in Columbia City. Sharmaine started becoming more active in the industry when she joined the summer program The Residency, a program created for youth by Seattle's Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Arts Corps, and MoPOP. Not too long after, she started getting involved with Totem Star. Sharmaine released her first single "Vibrant" in the summer of 2017. A few months after, she released her second single "Burning Bridges." She is ambitious and has a drive to inspire and take the world by storm with her raspy, angelic and soulful voice. 

Tell us a little about how you discovered your love for music. What are some of your greatest influences?

I discovered my love for music when I was really young. When I was in elementary school and middle school, I remember always having my earphones in. I "borrowed" my auntie's CDs, put them in my CD player, and took them to school with me. I imagined dance routines and myself on a big stage. When I got home, I would do karaoke to Rihanna or Beyonce or whatever was poppin' in the early 2000s. I’d also watch my favorite performers on my grandma's computer in the basement. Music really found me and said, "this is a part of you," and I listened. I love how free it makes me feel. I love the community it brings. I love how you don’t always have to use words to express a feeling or emotion but instead through melodies or humming.

Tell us about your song. What inspired you? How do you hope listeners will receive your message?

The production of "Home" was inspired by Labrinth's song "Jealous" and I loved the simplicity of it. However the lyrics of "Home" are deeper. This song explains how anyone has the power to get out of any situation they want to. I’ve dealt with severe depression and I still deal with it. I’ve managed to control it and now, it’s not controlling me. Everyone is battling something and everyone is struggling in some sort of way. I wanted to make a song that makes people feel empowered, makes them feel like they aren’t alone, and they can get through any situation, good or bad.

What have you learned from your experience with Totem Star? What are some of the biggest takeaways?

I’ve learned about community and working together. I could do it all alone but I’d rather make music with people that believe in me as an artist and see big things for me. Where we mutually love and respect each other. Where we are family before musicians. Where we are honest.

What advice would you give to other young artists?

Work hard and Work Smart. Never Forget Where you come from. GIVE BACK. Most importantly, take care of yourself first.