Exclusive Interview With Shani Weiss

August 10, 2025

Exclusive Interview With Shani Weiss

Melbourne singer-songwriter Shani Weiss is on a roll — and she's doing it her way. With her ability to infuse emotional honesty into rich, feel-good soundscapes, Shani has gained a reputation as one of the standout voices of Australia's indie scene. Her latest single, "Feel Alright", is no exception.

Penciled in the midst of one of the most chaotic periods of her life — pregnant, swamped, and lost — the song accomplishes the impossible: weighs heaviness with hope. Based on an actual moment of chance kindness, "Feel Alright" is a tribute to those who show up when we need them most. With retro pop textures and an ever-age groove, the song reminds us that occasionally, one person can make you feel seen.

With the success of "All About Life" and "What's Left", sold-out concerts, radio shows, and multiple awards under her belt, Shani is set to release her debut EP in November. We had a chat with her about the creation of "Feel Alright", her unique sound, and how she's making a niche for herself — and others — in the music scene.

1. "Feel Alright" is this so reassuring, emotionally rich song — yet it was written from this very vulnerable position. Can you take us back there? How did it feel to be making mayhem into something so comforting?

I love taking hard situations in life and turning them into fun songs with a positive hook. Then whenever a some hardships come about, I can always hum my little tune and it is a reminder that everything is ok. That vulnerable situation was the most I’ve been in my life, and trust me, I’ve been around the block. I had just moved to Melbourne from Israel, I was pregnant with my second child, not yet found my network, my friends, not yet a full time job and to top all that regular stress, just throw a good old pandemic in the mix and you have a recipe for depression.

As I said, I’ve been through quite a lot in my life but always found a way to push through and see the positive but at this point, it was really grim and the pressure of trying to be happy because of the fear to screw up my baby growing inside made things even more stressful. So in my little dark corner a radio presenter I had been on his show reached out and wanted me back and was insistent about it. Something I couldn’t fathom at the time, so I had to grab on to that glimmer of light and tear through the darkness.

2. You describe "Feel Alright" as a kind of thank you — tribute to being seen in the dark. How did that experience with the radio host shape the lyrics or emotional arc of the song?

I wanted it to be a happy song for him as he made me Feel Alright. I wrote it on the day of the interview and played it live on the show. It expressed everything I was going through, hormones, loneliness, people that I was interacting with that didn’t see my “but every once in a while, somebody sees you, and you know you’re gonna be alright.”

3. Sonically, "Feel Alright" has this gorgeous retro pop gloss to it — there's nostalgia, groove, and light together. What were you listening to or referencing when crafting its sound?

Wow, great question. The song was initially very Jazzy and at somepoint I changed the guitar to a ukulele. I think at the time I was doing a lot of background gigging, and I play a lot of ukulele on those sets so I played feel alright on the uke and then it all came together. The closest reference would probably be Amos Lee’s ‘Sweet Pea’, there’s something light, fun and timeless. That lead to taking it full on 1920’s style and you can see that in the video clip too. I went all Great Gatsby with the pearls and curls and everything. It’s nice having a timeless song.

4. You've been praised for your ability to combine raw emotional vulnerability with aerialized melodies. Is that tension one which you actively gravitate towards in your songwriting, or does it happen just organically?

I write about my life, I write when my emotions are intense and I need to offload. I don’t write about love, or melancholy, just about simple every day situations and that allows people to relate to them.

5. As a woman carving your own niche in Melbourne's indie scene — and now building towards your debut EP — what do you believe sets your voice apart, both instrumentally and as an individual, in a saturated market?

I think the fact that I combine a lot of different things in life into one person. Musically, I play piano, guitar, uke, sing and loop. I am classically trained, studied jazz a grunge at hear so I combine a lot. Culturally I was born in England, grew up in Israel and now live in Melbourne. I am a hard worker and show that even though I’m a muso mama, I teach music full time, while presenting a radio show, gigs and being a wife and mum to two little energetic boys.

6. Your visual style and presence on stage feel just as well considered as your music. How do you approach the visual narrative side of your work — from how you look to album covers to live shows and videos?

Oh I’m actually really bad at that, I suck at branding and go with the flow of what feels at that time in my life. The one thing I will take credit for is a good eye for who to work with. I manage to choose great people in the industry, videographers, photographers, producers. I manage to choose well and they make me look great, but ask me to give you advice on visuals you may be disappointed.

7. You've already had some big moments — a sold-out Espy gig, radio play, awards, and a radio show that showcases other artists. How do you stay humble and yet still grounded in your why?

Music is a life journey, it’s not the peaks or the pits, definitely not those. So I got an award today, that’s fricking amazing, don’t get me wrong, its great to be acknowledged, but this is what I do and who I am. How many composers died trying to finish their tenth symphony? Beethoven could have said, the Ninth was the best piece of work I’ve done, that’s it I’m retiring. I saw Mick Jagger dancing around on stage in his 70’s. Basically, what I’m trying to say is, awards are great (bring em on) but as long as I can create and make a living of music, I'm grateful for what I have.

8. With your new EP on the horizon and a release in the pipeline at The Toff In Town, what can we look forward to from this new chapter — and how much of an emotional rollercoaster do you want to take us on?

Oh wow, there’s three songs not yet released that are really close to my heart. Theyre more intimate ones so that’s an emotional rollercoaster in itself.

But I have a whole lot of work to do with visuals, support band, my band, photography, and selling out, that’s the plan (universe hear me). Selling tickets is the most stressful part of being a musician but I am a hard worker and I will work my butt off to have the most amazing EP launch and then, maybe, I’ll rest a bit…. Until the next project 😊

Thanks so much for this wonderful interview, I really appreciate the time and your great questions. Don’t forget to Feel Alright!