shea rose - extended play

D.T.M.A. (Dance This Mess Around)

I can’t believe I said no to the label. Landing a record deal was “the dream.” What would my life and career look like now?

I funded the D.T.M.A. (Dance This Mess Around) EP through a Kickstarter campaign, but this project was put on hold when a major record label offered me a recording contract while still producing the EP.

Simultaneously, my heart shifted away from outwardly pursuing musical aspirations toward a desire to discover a more profound inner truth and artistic purpose. So, I decided against signing with the record label and moving to Los Angeles.

More to the Story

I struggled to find the passion and drive to finish the EP. After turning down the record deal, I needed time to heal. Three years after its scheduled release, I finally released D.T.M.A. (Dance This Mess Around) with the help of a small team. The songs are a fusion of neo-soul, funk, rock, hip-hop, and folk music, exploring themes like identity, self-acceptance, and transformation.

The underlying messages of heartbreak and grief juxtaposed with an upbeat melody and groove captured a glimpse into my inner turmoil and the beginnings of my spiritual transformation.

Soon after the release, I fell apart in all the messiest ways possible — a bittersweet metamorphosis. The accompanying behind-the-scenes interviews, album artwork, and photo essays provide a visual glimpse of my journey.

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The Making of D.T.M.A. (Dance This Mess Around)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Singles

“There’s an exceptional amount of artistry required to take an ’80s groove track and turn it into a 2017 social justice anthem. Fortunately for us, singer-songwriter Shea Rose was undaunted by the task.”

The Boston native released the titular single off her latest EP, “D.T.M.A. (Dance This Mess Around),” a biting reimagination of the B-52’s carefree club tune. Though the songs share both a title and a synth-driven harmony, Rose’s cover is capable of standing on its own. While the tune still retains the original’s feel-good vibe, Rose’s lyrics take a dive into the political, turning a call to shake off heartbreak into a callout for those who attempt to shake off racism.

– dig boston

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