Halifax-based indie singer-songwriter Shayla Morag releases her third album, Opal Sky, today.
In this Q&A, Morag discusses her music and the new album, available now on all streaming platforms and her website, shaylamorag.com.< This interview has been edited.
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
My car crash experience was the catalyst, and my inspiration came from my journey as a single mom. – Shayla Morag
My Gaelic name, Shayla, means ‘fairy palace’ and Morag ‘great and sun,’ which speaks to my love of imagination, the forest, and the sky.
A car crash a week before Christmas in 2020 changed the direction of my life. While in the smashed car, the voice in my head kept quoting Wayne Dyer, “Don’t die with your music still in you.”
Fast forward to this past August, where I revisited my soul purpose while soaking up the inspiration from a songwriting retreat with Songwriters from Here and Away hosted by Robert Campbell. On the drive home, I knew the time to release a new album was a birthday goal for October.
Working with multi-talented Darrel Cameron of Blue Acres as my co-producer and instrumentalist, whom I met while recording demos at the retreat, was a delight. This album is also quite different from my previous two as my songs now have a ‘heartbeat’ by awesome drummer Jordi Comstock, with brother Kirk recording at Comstock Recording Studios. I was thrilled to perform the piano tracks at one of my favourite creative places, Mermaid Theatre in Windsor.
How do you describe your new album, Opal Sky?
Opal Sky captures my life memories in various shades and hues. Each song is full of colourful vignettes, from belonging in nature to feeling the love from someone who passed, from seeing glimpses of life before one’s eyes in a flash to navigating relationships, from revisiting childhood memories to losing a lover and feeling utterly lost, to finding a beautiful comfort place.
Why Opal Sky as the title?
Opal Sky depicts the enchanting sky views in October. I have also always been fascinated with opals, my birthstone, and the number 7, so seven songs are featured, one for each day of the week.
What was the inspiration for the album? Is there a theme?
My car crash experience was the catalyst, and my inspiration came from my journey as a single mom. I also attended a workshop at the songwriting retreat with the remarkable Dave Carroll, who gave me the encouraging ‘nudge’ I needed to make this happen. The opportunity for one-on-one coaching from extraordinary songwriter/musician Terra Spencer also helped me find my way.
The theme wraps up in a bow with my ‘in the forest’ trilogy of three albums over many years, starting with Private Diary, then Secret Castle, and now Opal Sky. For the three albums, I found the most beautiful grand piano to play where I was living, and the theme and production evolved and became more elaborate with each release.
What is your favourite song to perform off the album, and why?
I would have to say I Feel Your Love because it’s deep with emotion. I sometimes have goosebumps when performing it because the memories are as real as yesterday. Here I Am Now is a close second because it’s about feeling grounded in nature with my spirit cardinal and butterfly portrayed in my album cover art.
What’s next for Shayla?
I will take time to savour my birthday gift of music-making and re-gift it to others, as they might find some peace and comfort in my lyrics. With the New Year, I look forward to some radio airplay, house concerts, connecting with other musicians, and delving more into songwriting.