Shelby Floyd Unleashes Powerful New Single "To Tonight" and Connects About Its Deeply Personal Message
- STAFF
- Oct 10
- 11 min read
By: Staff
“To Tonight” is an emotional powerhouse, with Shelby Floyd’s voice delivering raw, unforgettable intensity.
Shelby Floyd's new single "To Tonight" is a bold, emotive declaration that will leave you both mesmerized and introspective. With powerful, soul-stirring vocals and a raw, undeniable energy, the track is a deep dive into the complexities of mental health, vulnerability, and connection. But there’s more than meets the ear. The song is as much about finding strength in darkness as it is about confronting the struggles that too often go unspoken.
We spoke with Shelby about the journey behind "To Tonight" and what makes this track so personal. She shared insights into the moments that sparked her creativity, including how she tapped into her past to create a sound that feels both timeless and fresh. From her childhood struggles to the energy of Kansas City, Shelby’s story is one of overcoming and evolving through music, and you can hear it in every note of the song.
What’s it like to be vulnerable in a world that often demands perfection? Shelby opens up about how her most challenging experiences shape her music and how her collaboration with industry heavyweights like Brian Kennedy and Angelique Cinelu helped bring the song to life. She also touches on how she manages to protect her own mental health while pouring so much of herself into her music.
As Shelby prepares to release this powerful anthem, we dove into her creative process, the impact of her sound, and what’s next for her as an artist. It’s clear that "To Tonight" is just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a truly exciting musical journey.
Read on to discover the heart and soul behind this incredible track.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Shelby Floyd, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. Shelby Floyd, “To Tonight” opens with such captivating notes, and the decision to spotlight your voice at the start was a brilliant production choice. You have an absolutely amazing voice. Your flow and cadence are mesmerizing, leaving listeners in awe. Can you share the deeper meaning behind “To Tonight”? What inspired you to create it, and how does the title fully encapsulate the message you wanted to convey?
A. First of all, thank you! When I wrote “To Tonight” I wanted to connect to what I’ve always loved about music–feeling understood on a vulnerable level. As a teenager, when I heard stories from artists like Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, and Alanis Morissette, it gave me a place to let out my anxieties and insecurities and not feel alone. Because I experience mental health struggles and have been affected by the loss of friends to suicide, I wanted to do my part to help someone who is struggling. I wrote out the words that I’ve needed to hear- “know that I will listen even if it’s not clear, let’s hang out all night, let’s put off the goodbyes… promise me that you’ll hang on to tonight”. We don’t have to have all the answers, we can put on some music and just focus on getting through the night together.
Q. You mentioned tapping into your younger self when writing the song. What childhood memories or emotions came through in “To Tonight,” and how did they shape its creation?
A. Writing this song took me straight to my teenage bedroom. Coming of age, having first loves, first break-ups, hating my body, feeling sad then angry without warning—it felt so difficult and intense. My 5 disc cd changer was my savior. Listening to songs like “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson, “Lucky” by Britney Spears, the anger and authenticity of Alanis Morissette, the lamenting of Sarah McLachlan, and so many more narrative and emotional women, were some of the first times I felt like “wow someone feels the same things I have”.
Q. Do your lyrics come together with a clear vision from the start, or do they evolve in ways that surprise you? Was there something about "To Tonight" that developed in an unexpected direction during the writing process?
A. I knew I wanted this song to specifically reach out to people struggling. The words initially came out really easily but more serious. It’s natural for me to take it to that place but I was surprised when the lyrics became something almost celebratory. We all process grief and pain and anxiety differently. Sometimes you play “almost lover” on repeat and cry to get through it and sometimes you blast Robyn and belt it out while you dance. Sometimes you go straight through the pain and other times you put it on the back burner and twirl around and dance until you’re out of your head. I wanted to capture the vibe of the latter. I wanted the lyric to have duality to convey turning something heavy into something that feels lighter by the end of listening to the song. I landed on “to tonight” because it can be used in a very serious tone- saying to someone “promise me that you’ll hang on to tonight” and then a very joyous tone of clinking your glasses and saying cheers “to tonight” “this goes to the ones trying to make it here”.
Q. When you step into the studio to record, what is it that drives you in that moment? Are you focused on how the song will resonate with an audience, or is it more about expressing something deeply personal? What sets the intention for your creative process, performance, emotional expression, or something else?
A. When I step into the studio I’m definitely focused on communicating the story of the lyric. The experience of expressing something deeply personal happens when I am writing the lyrics. That part is truly me writing my deepest emotions in my diary. Whereas in the studio I’m really drilling in on the delivery emotionally and also getting the best out of my voice.
Q. When working with Brian Kennedy and Angelique Cinelu, what’s the one thing that you feel has had the biggest impact on shaping the final version of your music?
A. Brian really is an amazing musical interpreter. He listens to my demos and builds the world of the song so quickly. Listening and improving on the keys to find counter melodies and details. He digs into his tool box of sounds and makes everything lush. Once Brian builds the frame of the song Angelique coaches me through the vocal recording. She finds so many textures and layers to play with and thinks of all these awesome backing vocals. She comes up with lots of ways to get different tones and deliveries from me. Anything from “ I want you to physically reach out to young Shelby in this take”, to “this one needs a little performs dance move with stank face.” There’s also the really meticulous side of “ok sing that in the exact same way for me 10 times in a row”, and then do that for every line. All of those things really make a difference in the final listening experience.
Q. Has your musical style always gravitated toward this genre, or has it evolved over time from earlier influences and different genres you experimented with?
A. I like to sing so many different styles but through writing a lot this past year I’m honing in on my style more and more. I did musical theatre for so long and focused on being characters and being able to slip into any style that the role called for so pinning down one style genre can be difficult. One thing guaranteed is that it’s going to be emotional because that’s just me! I’ve been leaning towards a lot of synth pop. I’ve always loved melancholy pop songs, it’s catchy but you also might shed a tear. Max Martin definitely had and has a hold on my heart! The crying on the dance floor vibe just gets me.
Q. Do you find that your most vulnerable experiences often lead to your strongest songs? How does vulnerability shape your music and connect with your audience?
A. My music is all about vulnerability. It’s the connection to the listener that I really crave. We all want to be understood and the more vulnerable I am, the more I can give that feeling to someone else. I want you to feel something when you listen to my music and to do that I have to be open and honest. Which is scary but is also what make it my music.
Q. When writing “To Tonight,” did you draw from your personal experiences with isolation? How do you hope listeners who might be going through something similar will connect with the song?
A. I definitely drew on personal experiences of struggling to get through difficult times when writing “To Tonight.” It can be a very lonely experience being depressed. It’s still hard to share my most intense and vulnerable feelings without being in fear of being too difficult or too emotional. It can feel so embarrassing. Ultimately, hearing that someone has or is feeling the same way, lightens that load for me. I wanted to give that to the listener. If you’re not ready to talk to someone about what you’re going through at least you can feel like your sharing it with me by listening the the song. I want my love and understanding to come through the sound waves and reach you.
Q. Looking back at your journey from “Sad Girl Spring” to “To Tonight,” how do you feel your voice as a singer and songwriter has evolved? What has changed for you musically?
A. I wrote both songs around the same time and recorded them both in a whirlwind weekend! My first trip to LA to record. So I’d say that “To Tonight” is really staying in the same vein as “Sad Girl Spring”. Very authentic to me and full of feeling. I had not been writing songs for over a decade and after realizing a long time dream when I won an HBO competition show called “Second Chance Stage” I had the opportunity to invest in my own music. That show connected me to Brian Kennedy who said “start writing an original song”. He really connected to how vulnerable I was on the show and said “what message do you want to put out in the world”? Write something that really means something to you. Mental health immediately came to mind and that theme is in both “Sad Girl Spring” and “To Tonight”.
Q. Growing up in Kansas City seems to have a unique influence on your artistry. How does the spirit of Kansas City continue to shape your music, even as you work in the LA scene?
A. Kansas City has definitely shaped me. 1. You have to make your own fun a lot of times in the Midwest, so there are a lot of people who learn how to play instruments, sing, and generally hone talents and hobbies. I was really lucky to have such a developed community theatre scene around me growing up. That really gave me a place where I could feel confident. 2. My parents, like so many people in the greater Kansas City area, work really hard and value being reliable for their friends and family. I’d like to think that I’ve gotten to the place I’m at today because I show up for people. I work hard to not let the people around me down. The theatre community in particular has connected me with a lot of people that make opportunities for each other so that we can keep making art. The reason why I’ve been able to travel to LA to make music is directly because of Kansas City. One of the producers of “Queer Eye” who filmed a season here in KC was amazed by how kind and hard working and accommodating people were here. When Chip and Joanna Gaines wanted to film a wholesome talent competition for people wanting a second chance at their dreams, that same producer immediately suggested filming in Kansas City because of her experience. I was the only contestant from Kansas City and it was such a crazy coincidence that my husband saw an Instagram ad about the show and submitted me without knowing where filming would take place. The fact that “Second Chance Stage” was filmed in Kansas City meant an audience of people got the chance to root for someone from their own town and that gave me so much confidence. I really don’t think I could have won without the support I felt in that auditorium. I had given up on the idea of recording my own music before that experience. The city and show actually did give me a second chance to realize a dream I’ve had since I was a child.
Q. What are your top two local dream venues to perform at, and your number one world-renowned venue? And which song would you choose to perform first on opening night?
A. Through the show “Second Chance Stage” I actually got the opportunity to perform on my dream Kansas City stage which is The Midland. It’s a historical theatre, so ornate and gorgeous, it really makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time. I NEVER thought I would get to perform on that stage and I would love to get back on it because it was magical! Seeing Chappell Roan just come to Kansas City and make her own stage in front of the War Memorial was SO MAJOR. Having the city as her backdrop was so special and unique. I love that creativity and involvement of the city. The craziest dream of a venue I can think of is performing an original nominated song at the Academy Awards. I have said on many occasions that I’d love to sing Dianne Warren’s next Oscar nominated song.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the greatest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. My husband. Period. He is my biggest cheerleader and has seen me through so many things. His belief in me is the main catalyst for me writing and recording my own music. He’s even learning mixing and mastering from scratch to help me record at home. It’s so special the way he loves me and shows up for me. When I was crying and hopeless on the couch he submitted a video of me singing to the “Second Chance Stage” casting team and pulled me out of the defeat I was feeling to make a life long dream come true. I can never thank him enough.
Q. After people listen to your music and read this interview, what is the one thing you hope they remember most about you?
A. I want people to remember that it’s never too late to believe in yourself and that you are never alone. The tears and struggles are the things that make you. I want to be a shoulder to cry on through my music. If your reading this and wondering if you should go for something you’ve wanted one more time even though it’s hard–let this be the sign that you’re worth it.
Q. For those just getting to know you, is Shelby Floyd your given name or a stage name?
My given name!
Q. What’s the next chapter for you musically? Are there sounds or ideas you’re itching to explore that could take your music in a new direction?
I have been writing so many songs and really trying to figure out a way I can sustain recording and getting that music out to you. It’s difficult as an indie artist just starting out in the recording world but with the help of my husband Jeff, the artists I’ve met in Kansas City, and lots of YouTube tutorials, I’m going to keep pushing to get my voice and stories out to you. I’ve got songs cooking and I can’t wait until I can serve them up.
Shelby Floyd, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
