1. Happy Birthday, Shira! Another turn around the sun. What about the future are you excited for?
This year, I’m taking everything in my life to the next level. Health, wealth, business, relationships, and of course, having a good time!

2. You’ve constantly shed light and love on the powerful women you consider part of your personal tribe. What advice do you have for young women in the industry learning to build their own tribe? 
Become engaged in the community, show up and show out, put yourself out there, support others.

3. Gritty at Vans Warped Tour is officially back and better than ever. What does it mean to you to return to the festival in such a full-circle way, from performer and pioneer of the all-women stage to now being the founder/CEO of an organization that continues to uplift these same ideals?
It’s been incredible to return to the festival and connect with a whole new generation of artists and women behind the scenes as well. Bringing our Gritty Jam to the Big Warped Stage was incredible. The Gritty garage proved to be more than just a hub for female fans and artists, it was a true place of connection and inspiration. Check out all our artist interviews, more are still coming!

4. You recently performed with both Bowling for Soup and Pennywise at Warped Tour: Long Beach and Montreal. What was it like sharing the stage with two iconic bands?
Having done Warped before for so many summers, those guys feel like family to me. Singing with Bowling for Soup is so thrilling, because we decided we’re going to release that song. Being asked to join Pennywise for Stand by Me was an absolute honor, and it was a really meaningful moment. Before and after the set, we all had a moment backstage with all these OG Warped people including Steve and Kristy Van Doren, longtime Tour manager Lisa Brownlee and OG Stage manager, Greg Teal- Jim was reiterating the ethos of the tour, which is that no one is more important than any other. We all make up the family together.

5. Speaking of Bowling for Soup, you have a collaboration with them coming out soon. What can you tell us about the track and how it came together?
We were talking about doing a collab at Warped for a while.I was in shock when Jaret asked me to sing on their track. When we first performed it, I came on stage, everyone was just going nuts and singing all the words to Teenage Dirtbag, it was a complete rush in front of about 20,000 people.

6. Fresh off a run at Warped Tour Long Beach and Montreal, as well as a trip to the inaugural Daisy Chain Fields, where you met up with some of the incredible women behind the scenes and on the stage. Who are some that you’d like to shout out for continuing the impactful legacy that artists like Kathleen Hanna, Carrie Brownstein, Hayley Williams, and yourself included, so righteously fought for?
Well, first of all, I’m honored to be included in that list. I really have to shout out Olivia Rodrigo for what she built at Daisy Chain Fields. And of course, to Sarah McLachlan for paving the Way and for being so supportive of it. Behind the scenes you had women like Lisa Worden of iHeartRadio hosting her show, She is The Voice. At Warped, it’s awesome to see artists like Daisy Grenade holding the line for feminist statements and ideals.

7. So much of Gritty In Pink is based on cultivating moments of togetherness amongst like-minded creatives in the industry, many of which bring a sense of unwavering joy to so many involved. How does it feel for you to reflect on these moments knowing that Gritty is the center point for nurturing such a supportive community? 
It makes me so happy when I hear that girls have met each other and gotten gigs through Gritty. When I hear about the impact we need, it makes all the blood sweat and tears truly worth it. So many women have helped me out and inspired me in my career, so it is a joy to pay it forward.‍

8. Gritty has grown so much from its beginnings. What’s one thing you’re excited to build or explore next that people might not see coming? 
We are always working on new things. We’ve been flirting with the idea of a riot grrrl dj night. A place for all the girls (and boys) to come together and celebrate the feminist culture that we love!

9. ‍Growing up, who were the female artists that made you think, "I want to do this"? 
Definitely Joan Jett, Bikini Kill and all the riot grrrl bands, who showed me that what you have to say is more important than how you say it. You didn’t have to be a super technically trained musician to make a statement. Guitar feedback is an art form in itself, ha! Creatively, I was super inspired by Madonna growing up, as well as Pink, Beyonce, Salt n Pepa, Missy Elliot, Fiona Apple.

10. If you weren’t a musician and a founder, what do you think you’d be doing?
I often say in my next life, I’ll be a stand up comedian! I also love to write, and recently dusted off my home architecture set…when I was a kid I used to draft out plans for homes and big themed hotels. (My mom was a real estate agent who took me to open houses, and dad took us to Atlantic City a lot!)‍
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11. If Shiragirl had to cover an entire album front-to-back, what album would you choose?
Ooh great question, with my Sheblime influence I’d have to go with Sublime, either self-titled or 40 oz to Freedom… Shiragirl does have a new cover single coming out soon, can’t wait to announce that! Sublime was such a big musical influence on me, the way they fused different genres. They were my gateway to punk rock, ska, and reggae.

12. What’s the most “Shira” thing you’ve ever done on tour that your bandmates will never let you live down? 
I don’t think I should say too much here, but it involves throwing something out a hotel window… hahaha.

13. What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to face in the past year, and how did you overcome?
I’ve had a lot of challenges with my health, which I generally choose to keep private. But I did have to slow down for a minute, and put my wellbeing first. When I’m ready to tell that full story, I will. Meanwhile, I’ve learned how to put my health first, and I’m worth it. Now I’m ready to ramp back up again!
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