In Conversation with Shannon Jade

Conducted by Bethany M

My name is Shannon Jade and I am a poet and singer-songwriter based in Australia. I focus on a sort of piano-driven indie folk pop with lyricism and poetry within the songwriting.

Who or what inspired you to start writing music and pursuing it further?

I'd always loved music and it had always been something I'd wanted to do. But I had an injury a few years ago and I lost a finger. People kind of said that I am never going to play piano again and that I am never going to be able to do things like instruments. I kind of decided that I wanted to kind of prove that wrong and be able to overcome that. I sort of dove back into it and went, life is short and this is something I want to do now.

What is like one song that you've written that feels like most represents you as a person, not just as an artist?

I've got my debut single out and I think that that is what I would say is sort of most representative of me at the moment. It's called "Jack and Rose." It's inspired by Jack and Rose from Titanic, but it's focused on being chalant and not apathetic about things and really caring about everything in a really real way. I think that that represents me a lot is being kind of everything that matters a lot to me.

How has like nature and the environment influenced your artistry

It sort of comes into most of the songs that I write. On this one particularly, "Jack and Rose," it actually includes natural soundscapes within the track. So I've included real recordings of like waves from local beaches and just sort of wanting to incorporate that as kind of we have these beautiful sounds and spaces around us. I think that there's so much opportunity to kind of bring them into music as well.

What is one of the most surprising things that you've learned about yourself through releasing and putting out music and social media?

I think it's just confidence. It's something that I've always really struggled with and being able to kind of do it anyway. It's not sort of something that comes naturally to me, it is being really confident in myself. Being kind of able to kind of pursue something that I want to do or that I care about has been such a positive experience in terms of like the community. People have really rallied around it and have been so nice which has been lovely.

Have you faced any challenges as a small singer-songwriter?

I think it can just be a challenge kind of getting yourself out there. I mean social media is such a helpful tool, but it can also be really difficult to work with the algorithm. It can be really unpredictable, so I think just looking for different ways to kind of reach a new audience and build those connections and sort of get people to hear it.

What is your favorite part about being a smaller artist?

I think you get so much freedom to make what you want to make and sort of do things that maybe are a little bit different. I think that's really exciting. Also, just being part of the community. I've met so many amazing small artists who have been so kind and so welcoming and people are so kind to open with their advice and share their experiences. The community is not super competitive. People are really here for the love of music and they want to share that with new people.

If you could collaborate with any artist who would it be and why?

I'm a huge fan of Midnight to Morning at the moment so I think they would be amazing. From a perspective of the kind of sound that I am making, I think maybe Emily James or Gracie Abrams would be really cool.

If you have any advice for a younger person wanting to release and pursue music, what would it be and why?

I think I should just try it. I think that there's always going to be a reason not to do something and that you hold yourself back. But what's the worst that can happen and what do you stand to lose? I think I would say just if it's something that you want to do, just put yourself in for it, give it a try and see what happens because you never know what door that's going to open, who you might meet, and what opportunities might come from. Just be brave and try it.