Exclusive Interview: Shaelyn Avalon Unveils First-Ever Collab With J.R.M.

In this exclusive interview, Shaelyn Avalon and rapper J.R.M. demonstrate they’ve put a great deal of creativity into “Everyone’s Dreamgirl.” Their first-ever collaborative single goes along the dark Pop theme and some Trap elements. Intimate lyrics straight from the heart with an upbeat sound that doesn’t fail.

1 – Was making “Everyone’s Dreamgirl” a blast compared to the previous single “XOXO”?

For “Everyone’s Dreamgirl” I got to go back into the studio with my friend and longtime producer, Jerry, so it was a great environment to experiment with sound a little more. I got a couple of tracks from my friend Jeff (J.R.M.) and he asked me which one I would want to hop onto and go a little darker with my music like I’d been wanting to do for a while. We talked about musical influences on the phone and kinda built from there.

2 – What was the motivation for “Everyone’s Dreamgirl”?

I had already written this song I wanna say… 6 months ago. It’s all true like everything was definitely a part of my growing up this year. It kinda fit into the whole Gossip Girl world that I like to imagine myself in, actually, it was written the same week I wrote “XOXO”! I wrote it more for myself to try and process everything that was happening to me at the time. Not many know this but when I was recording “XOXO” I was actually really going through it with my body and health issues. I had a 22cm ovarian cyst that needed to be surgically removed and it was taking a toll on my energy levels and on my emotions. I literally felt trapped inside my body and needed an escape. I had exes coming in and out of my life and it felt like they literally wanted the “dreamgirl” version of me, the model, the best and happiest version of myself… and I wasn’t feeling like that like AT ALL so I wrote this.

3 – Who do you dedicate these lyrics to?

I like to leave it open to interpretation honestly and not give anyone too much credit. This was all definitely a battle in my mind of how I was perceiving myself and how being a part of the modeling industry for so much of my young adult life has made my view of myself EXTREMELY harsh. I’d say the song is geared towards any girl who feels misunderstood, or like the only thing she has to offer is how she looks or being the fun friend.

4 – Is this the first time you have a guest vocalist on a track?

This is my first collab and I am SO so excited about it! I think J.R.M. brings a fresh take to the story and really elevates the song to a clubby or night drive sort of vibe, which is exactly where I hope to hear this played.

5 – How was the recording experience with urban artist J.R.M.?

I didn’t get to physically be in the studio for his verses so when I heard his I got to hear it with fresh ears. I was so excited when I got the full track to listen to and think fans are gonna love it too!

6 – Did it feel weird experimenting with Trap elements, as opposed to your Pop music background?

Surprisingly not, I was up for the challenge and have been genre-bending for a while with some new stuff that’s coming out early next year. Again, everything is different so you won’t see this next one coming either. I had a lot of fun with it!

7 – Would you have done this fresh genre-bending song 10 years ago?

I don’t remember too much of what I was doing 10 years ago, other than going to school and filming YouTube Covers. I think I would have listened to it for sure! This song is very much along the lines of what I wanted to be able to do since I was a kid. I love anything that feels empowering and badass.

8 – Have you ever taken songwriting workshops or is it all a natural talent?

I took classes at SCSOPA when I was 19 for a couple of months, songwriting was a part of my curriculum and I learned a lot about song structure from Jacqueline Van Bierk! She’s amazing and mentored me when I was first dipping my toes into the water of the entertainment industry. I’m very grateful for everything I learned from her!

9 – What was your vision for the “Everyone’s Dreamgirl” music video?

You’ll have to wait and see! All I can say is I grab a lot of inspiration from my favorite artists so it’ll have some definite Pop influences and some grungier themes!

10 – Despite the new Omicron variant, do you want to do shows in 2022?

I think if you really want something you don’t let anything stop you. You find a way, so yes, definitely.

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