Winnipeg Singer-Songwriter Sheena Legrand Releases Anthemic New Single “Heroes in the Making”
After devoting her musical journey to processing and expressing her own personal life and revelations, Canadian contemporary songstress Sheena Legrand proves on her newest release that she can flawlessly push the boundaries of her own artistry. Her latest single, “Heroes in the Making,” is an inspiring pop anthem that explores the innocence and resilience of becoming the hero in your own story.
Along with producer Bryan Livaudais, Legrand wanted to write a hero-themed song. After overcoming her own initial hesitation, the singer-songwriter decided she wanted to write a song about a hero inspired by classic contemporary artists like Mariah Carey and Enrique Iglesias – despite how cheesy she thought they could often be.
“I hear these songs differently now since my dad passed away last year,” she says of the single. “‘Heroes in the Making’ is dedicated to him and all the souls out there who leave big shoes for their children to fill. Not because they were perfect or invincible, but because they set an example worth striving for.”
Serving as a heartfelt soundtrack to the relationship with her late father, Legrand says “Hero in the Making” is ultimately inspired by her father rising up to the role of being a great dad and supporting both his wife and children over the years.
She adds,
“And just as children play and use their imaginations, I think of a world where everyone seeking to grow into their highest calling can see themselves as the hero in their own story. That this wild possibility brings out the best in each of us no matter the hardships we’ve lived through, and maybe even because of those hardships. That we somehow see the best in others, even when we’re lost or hurting. The more I live to hear the stories of others around me, the more my belief is strengthened. That’s what ‘Heroes in the Making’ is all about.”
The track initially began to come to life after Legrand enrolled herself in a songwriting course with Catch the Moon Music. As songwriters received monthly assignments and were instructed to collaborate with as many artists as possible, Legrand soon became curious of what might come out of her artistry if she collaborated with many different people. Soon, her collaboration with Livaudais was born, and the songwriting that followed was nearly effortless.
“It’s interesting that Bryan and I were never in the same room!” Legrand says. “We just emailed ideas and tracks back and forth and met over Zoom a couple of times. I found it was a really easy co-write because he just seemed to get the concept right from the beginning. It was like he could read my mind, and everything just flowed. I think you can hear that in this track.”
Within the track, listeners will find a deeply emotional message supported by a reassuring contemporary pop musicality. As she balances delicacy and playfulness, strength and vulnerability, excitement, and peace, Legrand’s musicality will undoubtedly move both the body and the mind.
Formerly known as Sheena Grobb until the release of her previous single “Green Light,” Sheena Legrand is a Winnipeg-based, Manitoba-born multi-instrumentalist, indie-folk/pop songwriter, and West Canadian Music Awards nominee. As she tackles her music career head-on, Legrand also balances this with her side work as a public speaker who uses music, storytelling, and mindfulness to help schoolchildren who deal with mental health struggles, bullying, or low self-esteem. Additionally, she is also a part-time health coach who specializes in helping patients to survive autoimmune disease – something she has struggled with herself.
With the release of her two recent singles, Legrand is returning from a 10-year recording hiatus to serve as an empowering feminist icon within the Canadian music world. Within this new era of her artistry, Legrand is setting out to release Back To Life, her first full-length studio album since her three albums under the moniker Sheena Grobb. As she looks within and takes on an advocating role within her work, Legrand says this will be reflected on the upcoming album.
“I’m excited to share the full concept of Back To Life, and how it relates to the classic hero’s journey. More to come!”
What inspired you to write “Heroes in the Making,” and how does it connect to your personal experiences and the memory of your father?
While enrolled in a songwriting course (Catch The Moon Music), I was challenged to write a song about a hero. I admit at the time, the topic didn’t really resonate. “Weren’t heroes just for fairytales?” I said to myself, my inner child having long closed the door on the idea. Not one to back down on a challenge though, I set to work finding a collaborator. What I remember about working with Bryan was that we were open to letting it flow. I wasn’t concerned with who Bryan was or who he’d worked with in the past… we were both just there for an experience of learning. It wasn’t until years later that the words we wrote hit home for me. The idea of a hero hadn’t resonated with me initially, but I grew to understand it was because I just hadn’t lost mine yet. I was deeply inspired to release the song on the 1 year anniversary of my father’s passing this past June – in time for Father’s Day. The true spirit of the hero was awakened in me, and there was nothing more important to sing about. Every day heroes come in all shapes and sizes.
You mentioned overcoming initial hesitation about writing a hero-themed song. Can you elaborate on what made you hesitant and what ultimately encouraged you to move forward with it?
I was cautious with the idea of a hero-themed song because in our current global circumstances… from war to cost of living…. I think looking outside of ourselves for a hero to save us is the wrong idea. I wanted to create something more empowering… the notion that we are all heroes in the making. No matter where we’ve come from or what our struggles have been, we are all in the process of being better than we were the day before – if we choose. And we all have the potential to be a hero for someone else. A friend sent me a video clip of her young daughter singing along to the lyrics… when I saw that, I knew I’d gotten something right.
How did working with Bryan Livaudais influence the creation of this single, and what was it like collaborating with him remotely?
Bryan was this totally unassuming course mate. I can’t recall how we started chatting, but before long we had jumped into the hero theme together. I came with some piano chords and a few lyrics, and
Bryan had a natural sense of what to do with the production – I loved the strings especially. It was like he could hear what I could hear. We met a couple of times over Zoom, and otherwise emailed ideas back and forth. There was an absolute flow and working remotely felt like the easiest thing. I think that says a lot about his skill level as a producer.
How do your experiences as a public speaker and health coach influence your music and the messages you aim to convey through your songs?
When I was younger, writing was my way of processing the world. I wrote when I was sad, or upset, or when I had something I needed to express but couldn’t find the words. I still do that now, but I find as an experienced songwriter, I’m more conscious of my “why”. I hope that my songs help others get in touch with their feelings, and give voice to experiences that are difficult to express. As a coach, I’m just happy to see clients move through feeling states that may be holding them back. I integrate songwriting into my coaching if it seems like a good fit. These days tuning into the stories of others and helping them create something meaningful from our work together has got me inspired. These are the songs I want to sing.