She was introduced to the music business when only 16 years of age. Shona came to the attention of Phonogram’s John McCready in 1972 when Chris Bourne, the producer of TV talent show New Faces played Laing’s audition to the record executive. McCready moved quickly and signed her before the country saw her on screen.
In 1983 Shona was briefly in a band in Wellington with Dan Birch (ex-Beat Rhythm Fashion) and Andy Drey (ex-Body Electric and Steroids) called Colonial Bandits. They didn't record.