Sometimes there is a story behind the story.
Nearly two years ago, my former co-worker, Matt Halverson, received a phone call from a young lady, a self-described drummer and actress. Since I’m what they call the “culture queen” around here, Matt forwarded her to my phone.
That's when I first met Timeka Shaunail, an intensely creative and spiritual lady who makes her home in the Metro East. She was requesting coverage for her music and her acting—the problem, as I explained to her at the time, is that our arts section is tied really closely to our calendar, so we have to plan stories around CD releases, plays or other sorts of things that allow readers to go out and see and do (which is why this blog’s called “Look/Listen.” We like active verbs around here). I asked her to keep in touch and let me know about plays, films or CDs she was involved with.
Over the course of the past two years, Timeka and I spoke dozens of times. I got to know her pretty well. When I ask her how things are going, she always says, "Blessed," which strikes me as a really lovely expression of gratitude. I've also discovered that she is a lady who attempting a very tough balancing act: being both a mom and a practicing artist. I’ve never seen her act, but her resume lists acting work in commercials and on the stage in shows including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Hard Times and My High School Sweetheart.
A few months ago, she sent me a copy of her EP, Gospel Drum Beats, which I was really impressed with (it was only one track, but she had recorded and produced it at a professional studio in Clayton, and it sounded sharp, clean and really polished). Now, this week, she’s sent me a brand-new YouTube video of her gospel drum beats, which is, of course, perfect for the blog. I'm happy, after two years, to be writing a little something about Timeka; though of course, nothing I could write can replace the experience of the music, so the YouTube clip's posted below for your listening pleasure. —Stefene Russell
