Shades of Violette is a Washington, D.C. based collaboration between Jeremy (of Postlooperish) and Melanie, created across distance yet grounded in a shared creative vision. Their music feels atmospheric and emotionally layered, blending dreamy textures, reflective melodies, and a delicate balance between light and depth.
I first discovered Melanie through Chris Redjam’s radio show, where she is invited as a weekly guest contributor. There was something instantly recognizable in her presence: a calm, reflective energy that carried through both her voice and the music she shared. The more I listened, the more it felt clear that Shades of Violette wasn’t just a project. It was an extension of something deeply intuitive and personal.
You can listen to Shades of Violette here.
I wanted to understand more about the heart behind this project: how it began, how it evolves, and what continues to guide it forward, so I asked Melanie a few questions.
How did your journey as a singer begin?
My journey as a singer began in a rather unconventional way. It wasn’t something I had ever planned or expected, it simply found me when the time was right. In early 2023, an angel card reading strongly pointed me toward singing, which surprised me because I had always believed I couldn’t sing. Not long after, I downloaded a karaoke app and began singing purely for fun, recording many of my favorite songs. To my surprise, some of them turned out quite well.
Jeremy, whom I met online, was the first person I shared those recordings with. He asked if I would be interested in adding backup vocals to some of his songs, and after hearing the results, he suggested creating instrumental tracks specifically for me to sing on as a trial run. Those first three songs — “A Matter of Time”, “Fields of Blue”, and “Sunsetter” — became the beginning of Shades of Violette and were released in May 2023 on Bandcamp.
Do you write your own lyrics, and if so, what tends to inspire them? Are there particular themes, moods, or emotional spaces you feel especially drawn to as a vocalist?
Yes, I write my own lyrics. I’m deeply inspired by my love for nature and all things spiritual. I tend to write about what moves me most: emotional healing, inner truth, human interconnectedness, and the quiet dialogue between ourselves and the natural world. I sing from a deeply personal space, often capturing whatever I’m feeling in that moment, almost like a diary unfolding over time. My songwriting reflects different chapters of my life as they are lived and experienced.
When Jeremy develops an instrumental piece for me to sing on, he usually gives it a working title, almost like a placeholder or bookmark. When I begin writing lyrics, I often consider both the title and the emotional energy of the music itself. Many times, the title becomes woven into the lyrics and helps guide the direction of the song. It serves as a kind of seeding point. I’m always amazed at how naturally those titles seem to align with the thoughts and emotions I’m experiencing — as if the creative energy flows through each of us in different ways and meets in the middle to shape the final theme of the song.
Do you collaborate with a specific music producer, or do you work with different producers depending on the project?
My primary collaborator in Shades of Violette is Jeremy, who builds the musical foundation for our sound. He plays all of the instruments and handles the technical side of production, including sound design, effects, mixing, and mastering. Our process usually begins with Jeremy sharing a track with me. If I feel a vocal and lyrical connection to it, I begin writing melodies and lyrics, and from there we develop the song together.
At times, I may suggest adjustments to the arrangement so the structure better supports the lyrical flow, and Jeremy will refine the composition accordingly. Once my vocals are recorded, we continue fine-tuning. I often provide notes on vocal presence, atmosphere, and subtle sonic details, and we work together until the track feels complete. While Jeremy manages the technical execution, the emotional and artistic direction of each song is something we build collaboratively.
The creative flow between Jeremy and me is deeply intuitive. We meet in the music, each bringing our own perspective, and somewhere in that shared space the song reveals itself. That connection continues to grow with us, and it is at the heart of what shapes the sound and spirit of Shades of Violette.
For Shades of Violette, the creative process remains exclusively between the two of us. We don’t bring in outside collaborators, as the sound and identity of SOV are rooted in our shared vision and partnership. That said, both of us have occasionally worked with other artists individually outside of SOV, but the project itself remains a very personal and dedicated space for us.
You are a regular presence on Chris Redjam’s radio show. Can you tell me more about it?
A few months ago, Chris asked me if I would be interested in being a regular contributor to The Soundcheck Show, and since I have contributed to his shows in the past and really enjoyed it, I enthusiastically agreed. The weekly segment is called Melanie’s Musings where I offer a reflective voice — sharing perspectives, stories, and the emotional energy that music can carry. I often explore how songs connect to memory, time, and human experience, and I enjoy curating pieces that flow together in ways listeners may not have considered.
At its core, the show is about human connection through music. I try to cultivate an atmosphere that feels meaningful and thought-provoking, yet also calming and uplifting. Many listeners have shared that they find my voice soothing, and that alone means a great deal to me. I especially love when someone discovers a song through the show that resonates deeply or becomes part of their personal soundtrack.
When listeners discover you through the radio show, what do you hope they feel or take away from hearing you each week?
Through Melanie’s Musings, my hope is to weave music, reflection, and feeling into a space where listeners can pause, connect, and experience something genuine — whether that’s comfort, nostalgia, inspiration, or simply a quiet moment to feel.
I’m curious about the story behind your artist name, Shades Of Violette. Can you tell me more about it?
The name Shades of Violette came to me suddenly and with complete clarity. After Jeremy and I created our first three songs and realized we were forming something real, I knew we needed a name. In a quiet moment of reflection, the name Shades of Violet crystallized in my mind, and I immediately knew it was right. I never questioned it or considered another option.
Originally, the name was spelled Violet, and that is how our earliest songs were released in 2023. When we later prepared to establish a stronger online presence, we discovered another project using the same name. Rather than change it entirely, Jeremy suggested adding the extra “te,” and Shades of Violette was born. Interestingly, the other project soon disappeared, and over time the new spelling felt uniquely ours, visually and artistically.
As I reflected on the name, its deeper meaning revealed itself. “Shades” represents layers, nuance, and the freedom for our music to hold multiple emotions and interpretations, light and shadow existing together. “Violette” speaks to both nature and energy. I have always felt drawn to wild blue and violet flowers, which appear in many shades and forms, and the color violet itself symbolizes transformation, reflection, and higher awareness. Together, the name captures the emotional and atmospheric essence of our sound.
Although I didn’t consciously understand all these meanings in that first moment, they unfolded naturally afterward, as if the name had found me before I fully understood it. Over time, Shades of Violette has come to represent intuition, connection, and the creative flow that guides our work.
If you had to describe your music in three words that aren’t related to music, what would they be?
If I had to describe our music in three words, I would say Love, Light, and Truth. Everything we create flows from the heart in an authentic and intuitive way, not to please, but simply to express. Our hope is that the music carries a sense of sincerity, awareness, and connection — something that resonates on a deeper level and, in its own way, helps set the soul alight. This is the essence of Shades of Violette.
Looking ahead, are there new directions or experiences you’re curious to explore as a singer?
I see my journey as a singer continuing with Shades of Violette, to expand and deepen over time. With each new song, I grow not only in confidence and ability, but also in understanding myself and my creative voice. What began as something entirely unfamiliar has gradually become a meaningful and transformative part of my life. Through this process, I’ve learned to move beyond limiting beliefs and trust that I am capable of more than I once imagined.
Shades of Violette is more than a music project to me. It is an outward reflection of inner growth and expression. Each release reflects where we are in that moment, both artistically and personally, while still staying true to our creative core. Making music has become a deeply healing and fulfilling experience, and I’m grateful that my voice can reach others in a way that allows them to connect and feel something genuine.
Shades of Violette has also opened doors into additional forms of creative expression for me, including radio and writing. My love for photography began long before singing, and it naturally carries into Shades of Violette through the imagery and artwork I design for our album covers. Each of these paths feels like a continuation of the same underlying energy, expanding outward while remaining rooted in the heart of SOV.
Jeremy and I remain fully committed to continuing this journey together. We are currently working on our third album, exploring new textures and subtle evolutions in sound while staying true to who we are. As long as the creative flow continues to feel authentic and alive, I will keep expressing, growing, and sharing, and following the path wherever it leads.
Listening to Shades of Violette feels like walking through shifting light. There’s depth, but there’s also air. Reflection, but also forward motion.
After this conversation, the music feels even more layered. Knowing the human story behind the sound changes how you hear it. It becomes less abstract and more intimate.
And that’s what I love about these exchanges. They remind us that behind every atmospheric track is a real journey, unfolding in real time.
A sincere thank you to Shades of Violette for taking us behind the scenes of her creative world.
— Spacey Panda 💜
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