Interview: Sia Shells Releases “Riding The Wave,” A Mermaid’s Mantra for Inner Strength

Baja, California-based artist Sia Shells invites listeners to dive deep into their strength and surrender with “Riding The Wave” – an ethereal, ocean-inspired pop anthem that captures the power of resilience, transformation, and trust in the tides of life. Blending her signature mermaid pop aesthetic with dreamlike production and soulful vocals, Sia Shells conjures a sonic spell for anyone struggling to stay afloat.

“‘Riding The Wave‘ is all about keeping your head above water throughout the current of life, especially when it pulls you down and it’s hard to see the surface,” she explains. “It’s about resilience, change, and finding the strength to overcome it all while evoking the mysterious and beautiful imagery of the ocean.”

Crafted to mirror the ocean’s ebb and flow, the song’s composition moves between whispering vocals – representing the wind – and a swelling, powerful crescendo that embodies the sea itself. Produced with a touch of nostalgic warmth, the track feels like a safe, familiar space for reflection and renewal. “I wanted a nostalgic feel to the song, so it feels like a familiar, safe space for people to hold onto when they’re feeling like they’re drowning or carried away by the tides of their life,” Sia Shells shares.

“Riding The Wave” continues Sia Shells‘ exploration of the mystical and the mindful – a reminder that, like the sea, we are vast, deep, and ever-changing. “Open your arms as wide as the horizon meets the sea,” she says. “You are strong enough to ride the wave.”

Sia Shells is a singer and songwriter who rhymes about everyday magic found through love, reflection, and dreams. Her emotive contralto voice and shimmering dream pop sound conjure a sense of oceanic wonder, defining her self-coined genre: mermaid pop. Following a string of coastal-inspired releases, her upcoming new album dives deeper into that aquatic world – blending enchanting lyrics and tropical textures into music that feels both otherworldly and deeply human.

At its heart, “Riding The Wave” is what Sia Shells calls “a magic mermaid spell disguised as a song.” It’s an empowering invocation for anyone learning to trust the rhythm of change – a reminder that, “Life comes in waves, but you are the deep ocean.”

1. What did you enjoy most about the creation of this new release?
I went to the beach and just sat there for hours on end, listening to the ocean waves for inspiration on the track and vocal flow, so that it ebbs and flows like the way waves come and go on the shore to match the whole vibe, I then collaborated closely with my producer Bmorales to get the same effect. He did such an amazing job capturing the calming and soothing frequency we feel at the beach.

2. Share a nugget of advice that has resonated with you most over the years.
Life is going to crash, it’s inevitable. But my new song, “Riding the Wave,” perfectly captures the power in letting go. When you stop fighting the current, you finally see that the flow knows exactly where you need to end up.

3. Who would be your dream artist/band to co-headline a tour with?
I would love to open for Enya or Empire of the Sun, or even performing at a marine life or ocean conservation fundraiser, would be a dream come true since it combines my passion for sustainability and protecting our oceans with the power of music.

4. What sets your music apart from others in your genre?
The strong ocean and mermaid energy since it’s literally who I am, a beach girl and oceanholic through and through, it touches all aspects of my life.

5. Tell us what your favourite song is at the moment and why.
Get down tonight by Starwolf, it has this whimsical energy that makes you want to get up and dance, it’s a total mood boost for me anytime it comes on.