Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharla Franklin.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in a musical family starting violin with the Suzuki Method at age three. When I was five, we started a Western Swing band called The Fiddle Rascals and still play together this day. I continued violin and fiddle in orchestras, going to fiddle camps, competitions and learning from different teachers. After high school, I went to BYU-I for a bit joining their Jazz Combo, University Orchestra, and theater shows. High school gave me the first taste of theater shows and when I came back to TX that became a job of mine for a couple years. Theater shows then brought me the connections to Denton where I fell in love with the music scene there. I now play in 13 bands with a wide variety of styles varying from Irish, Bluegrass, and Jazz fiddle to Steampunk, DJ Improv, and Space Electronic Violin.
Please tell us about your art.
I don’t like to pick favorites of my projects, but if I had to choose just one closest to my soul it would be the Space Electronic style. I’m a Space girl and a Star Trek nerd at heart. I also create my own Space Costumes for the shows and in the future would like to create Space Merch for others to enjoy. I’m intrigued with things that light up and love anything that sparkles. There are two space bands you can see my costumes live. One is called StarParty, a Daft Punk Tribute and other space originals band. I feature shiny silver attire with my signature mirror boots and shoes. There are about 1,700 small mirrors decked out on my boots giving the real space-disco feel. The other is an all-girl space band called Helium Queens featuring all originals with electronic experimental space sound from the future. We wear futuristic black light reflective attire, neon wigs, and light up crowns. I really enjoy making bright and colorful costumes. Both bands can be found through social media.
StarParty:
FB: StarParty Music & IG: starparty_music
Helium Queens:
FB: Helium Queens & IG: heliumqueensfromthemoon
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The biggest challenge facing most musicians is the entrepreneur business aspect of it. Unless you have a personal agent and/or promoter we really have to learn to do it ourselves. Although it can be a lot of work at times, I do enjoy it and am very glad to have it in my hands rather than being owned or contracted with anyone. Having control of my projects gives me the chance to expand to the varieties that I now have and can pick and choose gigs according to the show’s importance or whoever is the highest bidder.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The best way to follow me and see where I perform live next is through social media platforms.
FB: sharlafranklinmusic
IG: sharlafranklinmusic
TW: sharpartymusic
Web: sharlafranklinmusic.com
Contact Info:
- Website: sharlafranklinmusic.com
- Email: sharlafranklinmusic@gmail.com
- Instagram: sharlafranklinmusic
- Facebook: Sharla Franklin Music
- Twitter: sharpartymusic
Image Credit:
Sarah P. Zazz, Bob Ralph, Scott Fischer, Chandler Gagne, Ed Steele, Kennie Monroe Wirth
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