South African artist Sheron, real name Sharon Sibert, is a veteran musician, producer, and sound engineer with over 30 years of professional experience in the music industry. His career took off as a key member of the band X-Over (1996 – 2004), touring extensively across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Hong Kong, and China.
Known for his mastery of multiple instruments – including vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keys – Sheron has played thousands of gigs and contributed to numerous musical projects like Watershed and Amersham.
In a recent interview, we delve into Sheron’s illustrious career. From his days with X-Over to his transformative solo ventures, Sheron opens about the experiences that have shaped his sound and identity. With the release of his milestone album, Goodbye My Love, he shares intimate insights into the personal and professional moments that define his music. Join us as we explore his evolution, creative process, and vision for the future.
EXPRESSION AFRICA: As an artist with over 30 years of experience in various roles within the music industry, how have your experiences as a musician, producer, and sound engineer shaped your artistic evolution?
SHERON: I have undoubtedly learned to understand the physics of music and its creation by exploring many musical directions. Although there is no limit to what one can learn, I have grown comfortable with being thrown into almost any situation. Nothing is perfect, and I still make many mistakes, but I learn further through them.
Having established yourself as a key member of X-Over and through numerous collaborations, what inspired you to embark on a solo career, and in what ways has this transition influenced your musical identity?
The band essentially evolved into a cover band. The little original music we recorded and played was not going to progress much further. We no longer shared the same musical vision for the future, and it was time to try something different. One naturally wants to surround oneself with people who have similar creative ambitions.
Your singles – including ‘Hello, It’s Us’, ‘I Know’, ‘Glow’, and ‘Need You’ – have achieved notable success on local radio. Could you share how these milestones have influenced your creative process and the key lessons you have learned along the way?
No one really knows how well a song will perform on any media platform. I always follow what my heart and ears guide me to do and then hope for the best. I am very grateful and blessed that some of my songs have done well. It is usually the simple and honest songs that touch people.
Your album Goodbye My Love takes listeners on a journey through 25 years of love, loss, healing, and self-discovery. Can you share some of the personal experiences that inspired this project and how they have influenced its creative direction?
This album guides the listener through my inner journey – what I experienced in my head and heart during a couple of very long relationships that, ultimately, did not last forever. It represents my closure on those relationships and my way forward towards self-happiness and growth. I have written exactly what was in my heart. I remain the same person I was 25 years ago, perhaps with a better grasp of myself and an understanding of what is healthy and what is not.
The album spans a range of genres – from alternative rock and indie pop to even a hip hop-infused track. What motivated you to incorporate such diverse styles, and how do they contribute to the overarching narrative of the album?
I do not typically plan a genre direction; I allow the music to evolve naturally as I work on a song. Unless it feels “wrong”, I let it happen. The only song for which I deliberately incorporated hip hop was the one featuring my son rapping. The rest developed organically.
The single ‘Without You’ captures the emotional crossroads of letting go and healing after a breakup. Could you walk us through the creative process behind this track and explain what message you hope listeners will take away from it?
I began the song with an acoustic guitar and some vocal ideas. Something compelled me to experiment with some ‘special’ drum rhythms. From there, the song took on a slightly ‘jazzy’ feel, so I introduced the piano. In terms of its message, the song is about the uncertainty of whether one can learn to live without their partner, and then ultimately realising that one certainly can. It is still very hard to deal with a breakup, but the objective is to pick yourself up, move on, and learn from the experience.
Given your extensive background in sound engineering and production, how did you leverage these skills to shape the recording process and the overall sonic landscape of ‘Goodbye My Love’?
It is a bit like assembling a puzzle. If you can see all the pieces clearly, it becomes easier and quicker to put them together. That said, it is not an easy task. Without these skills, I am not sure I would have been able to complete it – perhaps that is why it took so many years to create.
Having collaborated with notable artists such as Dr Victor and Dilana, how have these partnerships influenced your musical style, and are there any dream collaborations you aspire to in the future?
I am like a sponge – I love watching others do their thing and learning by observing and listening. The more artists and styles you expose yourself to, the more you can learn and apply to your own work. There are several artists with whom I would love to collaborate, including Mark Beling, Cito Otto, Ross Learmonth, Kahn Morbee, Ard Matthews, Craig Hinds, and Paul McIver, all of whom are excellent songwriters and/or producers and engineers. I also dream of collaborating with the likes of Sting, Lady Gaga, Pink, Max Martin, Elton John, Robbie Williams, and Steve Lukather, and had he been with us, Prince would have been an incredible partner too.
You have had the honour of performing at prestigious events – including for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. How do these high-profile experiences influence your stage presence and the connection you forge with your audience?
It has been an honour and a privilege to perform at memorable events for very high-profile individuals. However, at the end of the day, it is still the same performance. I give 100% whether I am playing in a local bar, at a small birthday party in the back of a house, or at a major event. The key is to connect with the audience and provide them with the show they deserve.
With ‘Goodbye My Love’ out on 28 March, what are your aspirations for this album, and can you share a glimpse into any future projects or new directions you are exploring in your music?
I hope people find this album as honest and heartfelt as I intended it to be, and that they can connect with it on a deep level. I have done my utmost to capture my thoughts and feelings, and I hope it resonates with listeners. As for future projects, there are many.
Firstly, I plan to release a cover album comprised of some of my old-time favourites, reimagined in a fresh, distinctive style that departs significantly from the originals. I am also working on a rock album that includes some songs written over 30 years ago, which have been brewing for decades; along with a few newer tracks, this project will showcase my true rock persona. Some tracks on the cover album will also embrace a pure rock sound.
Furthermore, I hope to collaborate further with my son, Daniel, with whom I greatly enjoyed writing and recording – he is incredibly talented. I am always on the lookout for other artists who share a passion for creating music. Who knows what the future holds? I’ll simply allow the universe to surprise me.
