What is your name?
Shannon Quinn
What is your genre of music?
Country/Americana
Give us a little bio about you.
I grew up in a small town called Saint Thomas in Pennsylvania, on a “mini-farm” (a few cows and chickens) with a bunch of land. I was always in the school choir, but I really didn’t start to fully invest my time into music until I was about 11 or 12. I was inspired by Taylor Swift, and I started to teach myself to play guitar and write songs. Throughout high school, I did various faris, talent/karaoke contests, and was very involved with the school’s theatre department, landing roles in musicals such as Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ms. Flannery) and plays such as Little Women (Jo March). After high school, I went to college where I was still involved in operas/musical theatre and graduated in May 2019 with a B.F.A in Vocal Performance. In June, I took a leap of faith and moved here to Nashville! I’m active in writer’s rounds and have released 2 other singles prior to this one! I will also have an EP coming out fall 2020.
What made you go into music?
It really hit me in high school when I was super involved in drama club and being in musicals. I loved the feeling of being on stage, acting, performing, and just being able to be myself. That grew as I began to perform at fairs, I just loved to adrenaline of being on stage.
Are you a signed artist?
Not yet!
You released your new single “Reminded” – tell us more about the single.
This song came to me while I was supposed to be working on my junior recital repertoire in college (so 2 years ago now). It was probably 12 or 1am and I just couldn’t focus on the music I was supposed to be practicing, I just kept thinking about past emotions, memories, and mistakes. Finally, I gave up practicing and wrote this song. I guess it sparked from me literally avoiding anything that would remind me of this person or incident. I was trying so hard to avoid the pain and heartache that I ran from it. Just like real life, you can only run so far before your legs give out and I think that’s what happened here. I was avoiding the memories too much, when I just needed to face them and face how I coped with the heart ache.
What was the writing process like?
This one was originally written on the piano (since I was in a practice room at college) and I’ve found that when I’m feeling more emotional than usual, I write better on the piano. I had the lyrics and the basic melody down in about half an hour, but I always tend to go back and tweak the lyrics and all that usually over a few days until I feel as though I’ve gotten all my emotions and everything I needed to say out.
What was the recording process like?
It was a quicker process than what I expected but it was the first time I ever recorded with professional session players which was awesome. They were all so nice and really wanted to make sure that it was what I wanted, which was special. These guys do this all the time, so it was awesome having them be so interested in my ideas and what I wanted the ending product to sound like. The instruments were all recorded first, and then the vocals were recorded over a span of two days (I recorded 4 singles total).
Who did you work with on the Single?
I wrote the lyrics and came up with the melody on my own, and then a super talented producer named John Kennedy helped me make it come to life.
Will we see an EP or Album this year?
YES. I will be releasing my first full EP in the fall of 2020 and I’m so so excited for it.
Do you have any shows coming up?
I have a few writer’s rounds coming up, but I have been really taking this time to focus on writing the EP to make it the best it can.
What else can we expect in Early 2020?
One more single coming out and then a brief hiatus before the EP release!
Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
I do have a few writes coming up with some other super talented artists!
Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you? and who would they have to contact?
Absolutely! I always think it’s interesting to work with other musicians and see their styles, how they write lyrics and music. The best way to contact me is through email (squinn2019@gmail.com) or by just messaging me on Instagram.
Do you play any instruments?
I can play guitar and piano!
Who are your influences?
I have a wide range of people who influence my music. Some of them influence my writing style such as The Rolling Stones, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, The Lumineers (I know, it’s a weird range of genres) and others influence the musicality of my songs, Kacey Musgraves, The Dixie Chicks, and Fleetwood Mac.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Personal experience, or things my loved ones go through. Just like many other songwriters, it’s a way of getting emotions out in a healthy way. I think that sometimes people don’t realize that. I don’t write songs to get back at my exes or to make me look like a victim (honestly I’ve written songs about how I have messed up), or to make them feel bad. I write to help myself process what is happening.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’d love to be signed to some label, and maybe even opening for a more well known artist! Maybe even have a publishing deal in which I write for other people.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I’m usually working, I nanny for a super sweet family during the weekdays! If I’m not working, I’m at the gym or hanging out with my friends downtown (usually listening to music, I can’t escape it). I used to be really into horseback riding, so I’m trying to get back into that because I miss it so much.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more into the music scene?
“All Too Well” by Taylor Swift, it’s honestly just one of those songs where the lyrics were so comparable and real. It’s when I decided I wanted to be an honest, emotional, and vulnerable writer. It will forever be one of my favourite songs.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
You can’t make anyone like you, or love you so you might as well just be yourself and the people who are meant to be in your life, will stay.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
You really can’t give up, it’s so easy for me to say this, but you can’t. This is a hard industry to work in, but you always need to remember that you are talented and were given these gifts for a reason. Stay true to yourself and what you believe in.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
“What’s meant for you, will be yours.”
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
The Dunkin on route 30 and the infamous Pet Store (I literally live in the middle of nowhere so there isn’t too much to do, have to travel about 30mins to find a Walmart.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
my guitar, my guitar pick, my guitar capo (basically anything that has to do with a guitar), a cold corona (to drink while playing), and Riccola’s
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes!
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
