6 Questions with soulful indie singer-songwriter Shawn James

For this latest edition of ‘6 Questions With…’ I caught up with soulful indie singer-songwriter Shawn James while he was prepping for his  27-date fall tour. Onstage, James can be wonderfully unpredictable as he runs through a gamut of genres, styles, and songs – both his own and some popularized by others.

Q1: You don’t seem afraid to shift moods and even genres with your music much to the delight of your fans. What can we expect on your next record?

SHAWN JAMES: The next record I put out is going to be a concept EP based around the tale of a gunslingin’ outlaw in the Wild West.

It’s going to have elements of classic Western films and soundtracks similar to Ennio Morricone but twisted up with what I do in my way as well. I’m very excited about this one and approaching the record from a bigger story spread across the songs kinda perspective.

Q2: How do you balance your musical diversity in your live shows? Do you segment your styles in a formal setlist or see where your muse and audience take you?

SHAWN JAMES: I do a little bit of all that really. We craft a setlist, and it’s like an emotional roller coaster… hahaha. So yes, on every tour we plan out the sets and timing of the night but in the moment, we will also make changes if we feel something different from the audience or the energy of the room. I’ve found that being able to pivot is essential in being authentic and genuine in live performance.

Q3: Besides the US, you regularly tour Brazil and the UK. Why do those two countries and do the live audiences in all three differ?

SHAWN JAMES: We also tour extensively throughout Europe as well. Why? Because they want us there!  They appreciate what we do and support by coming out to the shows and making incredible live experiences for us as well.

I’ll go anywhere that we find there’s an audience wanting us. We have plans to further expand into new countries and territories as time goes on as well.

I’d say that passionate audiences are all very similar, but the cultural differences can sometimes stand out. I think that in the US, we are a bit spoiled and have music around us all the time, so maybe we don’t get as excited and appreciate it as much as some of the countries that we go to where it’s not necessarily the same way… That doesn’t take away from our fans in the US, it’s just a little different, is all. 

The intensity of fans in Brazil and overseas tends to be much higher in the best way!

Q4: You are going out on an extensive US tour this fall. Are there any venues or cities that you’re particularly looking forward to?

SHAWN JAMES: For this tour, we’re only playing cities where we know we have a great fanbase and audiences waiting for us.  That really makes sure that every show is going to be the right energy and atmosphere we love. 

Some of the ones I’m extra excited about would be Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago (my hometown)…but as I’m listing these, I have to stop because I wanna list them all!  

Q5: When you’re on the road, do you have routines, habits, or “must-have” items in the dressing room?

SHAWN JAMES: For me, Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenges & throat coat tea are a must to help maintain vocal health with the intensity of the touring schedule. Warming up before and after shows is something that I’m also going to be incorporating more of. 

Other than that, just making sure that everyone in our crew is happy, in good spirits, and ready for the night is the focus!

Q6: Share something about yourself that your fans might be surprised to know.

SHAWN JAMES: I started training Jiu Jitsu last October, and I love it. I also listen to a lot of Rap/Hip Hop music.

Learn where Shawn James’ 27-city fall tour is headed, and follow him on Bandsintown.com.

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.