Shana Starks aka “Blue Tulip”

Wilmington

Established
Music: Contemporary Performance

By: Gail Obenreder

“I firmly believe in the healing power of music, offering solace even in the darkest moments.”

As a youngster, singer/songwriter Shana Starks (also known as Blue Tulip) was always singing and dancing in school talent shows, and she even sang in a trio. But growing up in Claymont, Starks “never did anything professional, just writing sessions and singing in front of family and friends.” She grew up in a single-parent home with “my hardworking mom” and two younger brothers, but her father in California was always a supportive and loving presence. With the familiarity of a small town and the rhythm of a big city, Starks feels she “received the best of both worlds – a bi-coastal way of life.”

She lived briefly in California and Baltimore, but Starks has lived in Delaware for the majority of her life. Her journey as a professional began at an art event in Wilmington, where she recalls a single question that “ignited a revolutionary idea: If you were a comic book character, who would you be and why?” An introvert, she has always kept a journal, a practice that has shaped her both as a singer and as the creative force behind the “Blue Tulip” comic book series.

Starks has had dual inspirations throughout her life. Musically, she was influenced early on by the “powerful voices and emotional depth” of Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Brandy. Today, she’s inspired by artists like SZA, Ari Lennox, and Jazmine Sullivan, singers able to express the “vulnerability, strength, and resilience” that motivates her to “create music that feels real and authentic [and] find beauty in life’s chaos.”

“Nostalgic Chills,” 2022
Length of full work: 4 minutes
Instrument or voice part in the sample: lead vocals

But she was also inspired by that creative spirit she found in comics that “sparked my passion for blending art and narrative.” Starks is drawn to artists who “express raw emotion and real experiences,” something she strives to accomplish in her own work. But one of her major hurdles is finding the balance between her desire to create new music and “the business side of things” like promotion, marketing, and the logistics to ensure her work reaches her audience.

She also works to artistically explore “the vulnerability of sharing personal experience [and] stay true to myself in a constantly evolving industry,” with its pressures to “fit trends or meet expectations.” Starks loves the creative freedom of being an independent artist, building a sense of community and knowing that “my music and comics make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The Wilmington resident also has a passion for food from different cultures and for learning about both her ancestry and the roots of others. To find out how “culture, family, and history influence someone’s journey,” she has created a YouTube podcast titled “So, What’s Your Story?” where she interviews people to help them uncover the experiences that have shaped them.

The Division’s Fellowship will allow Starks an opportunity to expand on both her current music and explore the “Caribbean-inspired vibes” and reggae roots (from her father and stepmother) that have always fascinated her. The award will also help her merge these musical influences with her mother’s R&B and Puerto Rican Reggaeton background, creating “something uniquely mine, experimenting with new genres and pushing my artistry to new heights.”

“Time to Think,” 2023
Length of full work: 3 minutes
Instrument or voice part in the sample: lead vocals

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