Sharm’s very own Rock Chic
Whether you are visiting Sharmer or a resident Sharmer, it’s highly likely that you have rocked out with Sharm’s most famous Rock Chick Joleene. This power gal with high octane energy is all about town. You can catch her testing out her tunes at Sharm’s underground jam sessions, find her wailing (I sincerely mean singing, but it doesn’t fit) at the Full Moon parties and more recently getting Krazy with Karaoke at the Chrystal Lounge in Soho Square. So with that kind of time-table, plus helping the kids learn to sing, rehearsals with her guitarist Sherif and being a mother; it was a surprise I managed to get some of her precious time to find out what makes her tick.
Joleene you have become quite a famous figure in Sharm el Sheikh, how did you first arrive here? And how long have you lived here?
Thank you yes, it’s nice to be recognized for your passion and hard work. I arrived in Sharm 12 years ago, after spending a few months in Luxor and Cairo, once I arrived in Sharm I knew I found my home.
Did you start your singing career in Sharm? Or did you have a background in music before?
No I started singing professionally when I was 17, in London; a big Drag Queen called “Bet Rinse” convinced me with 50 quid and free drinks to sing in a competition she was hosting…… and there the story started.
I have seen you perform many times and you always interact with the crowd – is this why you enjoy the karaoke at Chrystal Lounge? Do you have any problems getting people to sign up for songs?
It’s not all about singing, for me the interaction with the crowd is very important and the most fun, the best gigs are when the audience are as crazy as me. I like chatting between songs, getting everyone up and involved; so yes I guess that’s why I love the karaoke night in Soho – I like making people happy.
I know that you have helped a lot with the Sharm community in the Glee club project, plus many more – is this a passion of yours to encourage young singers and what is your inspiration for this?
Yes this is a real passion for me to encourage and help push young talent. Children are pushed so much these days academically and have very little time left to follow creative dreams, so when I get the chance to see a child shine from within and express their emotions artistically for me it’s a high.
Does music and singing run in the family? How old were you when you knew that you had a talent and enjoyed performing?
No music doesn’t run in the family and I didn’t have this push so I discovered my talent by accident…. quite late, and kind of fell into it or like I said bribed into it. It only takes one person to believe in you at the right time to change your life, so that’s why coaching is important to me now.
How would you describe your personality? Do you ever feel nervous getting up on stage or does it give you an adrenaline rush?
I have many personalities, it depends on the day LOLl, but I have to say the crazy side of me is the most dominant; I very rarely get nervous, I feel alive on stage.
What has been you most special performance and where was it?
I am lucky to say that I’ve performed at many special gigs and they have been the ones I have done for big charity events; singing for a cause and feeling like I have contributed to something bigger.
With such a busy lifestyle how and where do you find time to relax?
Now there’s a question! Relax what’s that?
Tell me a little about your fellow musicians who you perform with – how important is the interaction?
So here is my future….. I am working with an amazing guitarist “Sherif Salim”. We came together by chance a year ago, he is a composer and producer and as I’m also a song writer; we are a complete working dynamite. We are now taking time to work on original stuff – you will all be hearing soon.
Apart from my partnership with Sherif, the interaction with fellow musicians is also very important to me and in Sharm we have a nice community of musicians, we meet and jam regularly.
You are known as a bit of a ‘Rock Chic’ – is this your favorite genre or do you like to perform other genres?
I like it when you call me rock chick 🙂 yes rock is in my soul, but depending on my mood I enjoy and sing many styles; jazz, blues, pop, house even country – let’s face it with the name Joleene who cannot like county, but nothing makes me more happy to knock out a big ballad and shake a few windows!
What’s your favorite set or song and what Artist inspires you?
I don’t have a favorite set or song per-set as it changes all the time… but artists that have inspired me are Aretha Franklin, Eta James, Eva Cassady, Elvis, Mic Jagger, Bon Jovi – OMG my list is so diverse and can go ooooooon!
And finally what are the plans for the future?
My plans for the future are composing more original stuff with Sherif and touring – seeing more of the world, while doing what I enjoy the most SINGING!
Tags:Children, life, love, night, Soho Square, work
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