DeadJournalist.com Exclusive Interviews
Sarah Shannon
EXCLUSIVE Interview: Sarah Shanoon
Chuck Norton, DeadJournalist.com
02.25.07
After two years of work, Sarah Shannon recently released her second solo album City Morning Song on February 6, 2007. On the new album, Shannon has crafted classic pop songs that sound as if they could be taken from the songbook of Burt Bacharach, Carly Simon or Carol King.
The former lead vocalist for the 1990's indie band Velocity Girl, Shannon released her first solo album in 2001. Her sound as a solo artist is markedly different than that of the band who's 1993 release Copacetic was the second-best selling album for Sub Pop (behind Nirvana's Bleach). While she has said that the change of styles wasn't intentional, her new album exudes an honesty and maturity that suits her well.
Classic and sophisticated, this album deserves a place in any music lover's playlist.
For more information on Sarah Shannon, visit her Web site www.sarahshannon.com or her MySpace.com page at www.myspace.com/sarahshannonmusic.
DeadJournalist.com brings you this exclusive interview with Sarah Shannon.
What can people expect from this new record? Was there a motivating force behind it?
SS: This record jumps off from the first. I’m still focused on classic pop songwriting but this record is a little more optimistic. I was in the mood to write love songs.
Will you be touring? If so, when and where will you be performing?
SS: I hope to tour nationally but I will have to take smaller bites than I did in my VG days as I now have a 10 month old. From now through spring/summer my goal is to hit all of the major US cities.
What is your favorite part of performing live?
SS: In truth, performing live has been hard for me. I feel very exposed and a little unsafe. Back in the day I would have a few beers and be good to go but I simply don’t want to do that anymore. I have been trying to focus on the sheer joy I feel when I’m singing and the massive satisfaction I get from connecting with an audience.
Has your viewpoint changed as an artist since your days with Velocity Girl?
SS: I’m not afraid to write from a more personal viewpoint.
What is more challenging, writing and recording an album as a solo performer or with a band?
SS: I’d say writing is the hardest for me. I have never been very prolific and I tend to go in fits and starts. Sometimes it just flows and I feel like I’m doing good work other times I’ll throw up my hands and think that the entire endeaver is useless. Unfortunately when I’m not feeling good about what I’m writing I’ll just throw up my hands and forget the whole thing for months on end. I suppose this is quite common but I think I’d be a better song writer if I wrote more steadily.
What artists have influence you the most throughout your career?
SS: The Beatles, Randy Newman, Burt Bacharach, Carol King, Smokey Robinson, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell, kd lang, Rufus Wainwright
What advice would you give to musicians just starting on their musical journey?
SS: This is tough. All I can think of are cliché’s. Enjoy the journey. Focus on the joy of making music instead of getting a record deal.
What were you listening to in 1997?
SS: A good amount of Stereolab, Bjork, Superchunk and of course the old standbys listed above.