Shaina Shepherd is a singer/songwriter.
Shaina Shepherd is a singer/songwriter. Courtesy of Shaina Shepherd

Good morning. It's the first day of July.

To get this month started off right, we turn to the brilliant singer/songwriter Shaina Shepherd. Her message today includes an original song, one she wrote here in Seattle.

"It's called 'Back of the Bus,' and it was deeply inspired by my musical mother-muse, Miss Nina Simone," she says.

"I wrote this song as an ode to her, and an ode to my beautiful, proud legacy of Blackness passed on to me by my family. And I wrote it inspired by my life in Seattle, Washington. I hope that you enjoy it. I hope that you find light and love in it, and joy, and above all else, clarity—in the shared fact that we are all one of a kind."

Here, let her set up the song for you herself:

Shaina describes herself as an "anthem artist"—translating pivotal moments in human history through her unique form of poetry. Her biggest inspirations are often poets: Mark Twain, James Weldoyn Johnson, Maya Angelou. In "Back of the Bus," she refers to Gertrude Stein.

Her dynamic vocals combine the power of theater with the tender introspection of American folk music. Here she is performing "Back of the Bus":

The lyrics include these lines:

Oh pardon me, but won’t you please adhere to my request:
You’re standing strong right in my back so why not take rest?
No, not on your own laurels but if you must be my guest.
It’s not so fun to stand alone but less to be oppressed.

Shaina grew up around gospel music and not much else. She would watch her mother sing with the church choir and emulate the steady richness of her tone. Her passion for vocal technique led her to opera, then to musical theater, and then right back to opera. Shaina studied and worked in the classical music world for many years.

Known also as the front woman to soul-grunge band BEARAXE, her notable vocal stylings have brought her into various creative spaces—from sharing stages with rock stars like Dave Matthews and Thunderpussy to being a soloist with classical ensembles around the country.

Thank you for sharing your amazing voice, your uncontainable talents, and your tremendous heart with us this morning, Shaina.

What a brilliant song, and what a superb performance.

If you want to follow Shaina's work, you can find her on Instagram or Facebook or YouTube or her website.

Good luck out there with whatever you're facing, everyone.


* *
Previously in this series:


Charles Leggetts message to the city June 29.
Charles Leggett's message to the city June 29.

Rachel Guyer-Mafunes message to the city on June 26.
Rachel Guyer-Mafune's message to the city on June 26.

Liz Hayess message to the city on June 24.
Liz Hayes's message to the city on June 24.

Nicholas Bernards message to the city on June 22.
Nicholas Bernard's message to the city on June 22.

Tariqa Waterss message to the city on June 19.
Tariqa Waters's message to the city on June 19.

Bruce Clayton Toms message to the city on June 18.
Bruce Clayton Tom's message to the city on June 18.

Isaac Gutierrezs message to the city on June 17.
Isaac Gutierrez's message to the city on June 17.

Markeith Wileys message to the city on June 16.
Markeith Wiley's message to the city on June 16.

Aleksa Manilas message to the city on June 15.
Aleksa Manila's message to the city on June 15.

Derrick Ryan Claude Mitchells message to the city on June 12.
Derrick Ryan Claude Mitchell's message to the city on June 12.

Bret Fetzers message to the city on June 12.
Bret Fetzer's message to the city on June 11.

Kyle OQuins message to the city on June 10.
Kyle O'Quin's message to the city on June 10.

Elisheba Johnsons message to the city on June 9.
Elisheba Johnson's message to the city on June 9.

Michael Jinsoo Lims message to the city on June 8.
Michael Jinsoo Lim's message to the city on June 8.

Brandon Ivies message to the city on June 5.
Brandon Ivie's message to the city on June 5.

Kimya Dawsons message to the city on June 4.
Kimya Dawson's message to the city on June 4.

Jennifer Nelsons message to the city on June 3.
Jennifer Nelson's message to the city on June 3.

Erin Jorgensens message to the city on June 2.
Erin Jorgensen's message to the city on June 2.

Brangien Davis and Daniel Spilss message to the city on June 1.
Brangien Davis and Daniel Spils's message to the city on June 1.

Timothy De Clues message to the city on May 29.
Timothy De Clue's message to the city on May 29.

Elizabeth Aquinos message to the city on May 28.
Elizabeth Aquino's message to the city on May 28.

Christopher Frizzelles message to the city on May 27.
Christopher Frizzelle's message to the city on May 27.

Elby Broschs message to the city on May 26.
Elby Brosch's message to the city on May 26.

Mila Skyys message to the city on May 22.
Mila Skyy's message to the city on May 22.

Michael Lees message to the city on May 21.
Michael Lee's message to the city on May 21.

SassyBlacks message to the city on May 20.
SassyBlack's message to the city on May 20.

Seattle Symphony Horn Sections message to the city on May 19.
Seattle Symphony horn section's message to the city on May 19.

Lori Goldstons message to the city on May 18.
Lori Goldston's message to the city on May 18.

Ibidunni Ojikutus message to the city on May 15.
Ibidunni Ojikutu's message to the city on May 15.

RL Heyers message to the city on May 14.
RL Heyer's message to the city on May 14.

Garth Steins message to the city on May 13.
Garth Stein's message to the city on May 13.

Okanomodés message to the city on May 12.
Okanomodé's message to the city on May 12.

Zoe Scofields message to the city on May 11.
Zoe Scofield's message to the city on May 11.

Aham Oluos message to the city on May 8.
Aham Oluo's message to the city on May 8.

Pete Rushs message to the city on May 7.
Pete Rush's message to the city on May 7.

Trent Moormans message to the city on May 6.
Trent Moorman's message to the city on May 6.

Renée Valencias message to the city on May 5.
Renée Valencia's message to the city on May 5.

Justin Huertass message to the city on May 4.
Justin Huertas's message to the city on May 4.

Charles Mudedes message to the city on May 1.
Charles Mudede's message to the city on May 1.

Kathryn Rathkes message to the city on April 30.
Kathryn Rathke's message to the city on April 30.

Anthony Whites message to the city on April 30.
Anthony White's message to the city on April 30.

Miss Texas 1988s message to the city.
Miss Texas 1988's message to the city.

Matt Bishops message on April 27.
Matt Bishop's message on April 27.

Cherdonnas message to the city on April 26.
Cherdonna's message to the city on April 26.

Shenandoah Daviss message to the city on April 25.
Shenandoah Davis's message to the city on April 25.

Lorena Gonzálezs message to the city on April 24.
Lorena González's message to the city on April 24.

Clyde Petersens message to the city on April 23.
Clyde Petersen's message to the city on April 23.

David Ritts message to the city on April 22.
David Ritt's message to the city on April 22.

Sara Porkalobs message to the city on April 21.
Sara Porkalob's message to the city on April 21.

Julia Sweeneys message to the city on April 20.
Julia Sweeney's message to the city on April 20.

Linda Derschangs message to the city on April 19.
Linda Derschang's message to the city on April 19.

Molly Sidess message to the city on April 18.
Molly Sides's message to the city on April 18.

Nick Garrisons message to the city on April 17.
Nick Garrison's message to the city on April 17.

Tomo Nakayamas message to the city on April 16.
Tomo Nakayama's message to the city on April 16.

Rebecca M. Daviss message to the city April 15.
Rebecca M. Davis's message to the city April 15.

Heather McHughs message to the city on April 14.
Heather McHugh's message to the city on April 14.

Brandon ONeills message to the city on April 13.
Brandon O'Neill's message to the city on April 13.

Kate Wallichs message to the city on April 12.
Kate Wallich's message to the city on April 12.

Rebecca Browns message to the city on April 11.
Rebecca Brown's message to the city on April 11.

Lucien Postlewaites message to the city on April 10.
Lucien Postlewaite's message to the city on April 10.

Betty Wetters message to the city on April 9.
Betty Wetter's message to the city on April 9.

Amanda Morgans message to the city on April 8.
Amanda Morgan's message to the city on April 8.

Nancy Guppys message to the city on April 7.
Nancy Guppy's message to the city on April 7.

Jonathan Bisss message to the city on April 6.
Jonathan Biss's message to the city on April 6.

Chris Jeffriess message to the city on April 5.
Chris Jeffries's message to the city on April 5.

Lesley Hazletons message to the city on April 4.
Lesley Hazleton's message to the city on April 4.

John Rodericks message to the city on April 3.
John Roderick's message to the city on April 3.

Bill Cartys message to the city on April 2.
Bill Carty's message to the city on April 2.

Price Suddarths message to the city on April 1.
Price Suddarth's message to the city on April 1.

Kary Waysons message to the city on March 31.
Kary Wayson's message to the city on March 31.

Ellen Forneys message to the city on March 30.
Ellen Forney's message to the city on March 30.

Major Scaless message to the city on March 29.
Major Scales's message to the city on March 29.

E. J. Kohs message to the city on March 28.
E. J. Koh's message to the city on March 28.

Ken Jenningss message to the city on March 27.
Ken Jennings's message to the city on March 27.

Demarre McGills message to the city on March 26.
Demarre McGill's message to the city on March 26.

Lynn Sheltons Message to the City on March 25th.
Lynn Shelton's Message to the City on March 25th.

Timothy White Eagles message to the city on March 24.
Timothy White Eagle's message to the city on March 24.

Cookie Coutures message to the city on March 23.
Cookie Couture's message to the city on March 23.

Sarah Rudinoffs message to the city on March 22.
Sarah Rudinoff's message to the city on March 22.

John Osebolds message to the city on March 21.
John Osebold's message to the city on March 21.


Ben Gibbards message to the city on March 21.
Ben Gibbard's message to the city on March 20.

Nathan Chans message to the city on March 19.
Nathan Chan's message to the city on March 19.