Marty Shannon – Musician {Interview}

If you haven’t heard of Marty Shannon take note now.  Or better yet, just listen to his notes, his voice is one to be reckoned with.  Originally from Sarasota, Florida, Marty is now an L.A. transplant, who is following his calling in life, and bringing joy to others through his music. You may have seen him on stage at the Whiskey A Go Go, the Viper Room, or House of Blues, or better yet you may have picked up his debut E.P. Before the Love Goes. Regardless, his light is shining bright, and yours truly, the Groundsounds team, got the chance to cut it up with Marty himself.  Check it out!  

For starters, you have an extremely unique voice! Would you compare yourself to anyone? Are there any artists that you look up to or are influenced by?

Thanks so much! I kind of stumbled my way through the process of learning how to sing. I’ve never had any training and the majority of my “uniqueness” came from emulating other musicians: John Mayer, Jason Mraz (Probably the two I most remind people of/look up to) Damien Rice. Even the old timers like Al Green, Bill Withers and Sam Cooke had a huge influence in the development of my voice. Unlike your typical “I’ve been singing since I was 1 month old” singer, I didn’t really try to explore that area until about 10 years ago. It was all guitar until i started to really fall in love with writing.

How was it growing up being the youngest of four?

Awesome! I loved it! I’m the most dramatic age difference. The “accident” if you will. My oldest brother is 10 years apart, then 8 years for my middle brother, then 6 for my sister. My parents had a nice little 2 year gap in between each kid until I came gallivanting out. The age difference was never apparent, however. My brothers and sister did an amazing job keeping me in the loop and sharing in the growing up process. It wasn’t until I was 18 or so did i actually realize what it would have been like for an 18 year old to try and hang out with a 10 year old. For that, I am supremely grateful for my siblings.

What’s there to do in Sarasota?!

Not much! We are home to the number one public beach in the U.S! Siesta Key baby! So proud!  That’s about it. The powers that be in Sarasota really try to tout the fact that its an “extremely artistic community” when, it in fact, is not. It’s an older, rich beach community full of people who once painted a landscape and now think they’re Van Gogh. You’ve got a few malls, a beach, an eclectic little downtown area, John Ringling’s home, a museum dedicated to him and his circus, and a few movie theaters. You sort of have to make your own fun. But i miss it every day.

What do you like better, Florida or California?

I’d like to preface this question by saying Los Angeles should not be part of California. The reason being because California is one of the most beautiful states I’ve ever been to. Mountains, coastline, and weather: Magnificent! L.A, not at all the same. (I felt like cursing just now thinking about it) Don’t get me wrong! I love L.A for what it’s doing for me. It’s the place to be for someone trying to pursue a career in the arts. But sometimes, the traffic, the people and the heat living in the Valley get to me. I love Florida, but then i might be a little bias. I lived comfortably there for 22 years. I guess the short answer, the one you’re looking for, is this: I love California because of all it has to offer and the fact that i need to be here. I miss Florida because it’s where 90% of everything I love is.

It has to be great having such supportive parents…

They have certainly come around since I told them I was moving almost two years ago. My mom, who is the most astounding woman in the world, has 4 kids and a few horses to her name. She didn’t go to college and had a conservative Irish upbringing. I never expected her to get out the pom-poms and cheer me on as I pursued some “artist’s pipe dream”. I think up until a year ago, she was just waiting for me to figure out it was too hard or it wasn’t something I really loved and to pack it up and come on home. That’s changed. She calls me everyday to ask what news I have about music. She wants to know if my manager is working hard or if I should start looking for a new one. She even follows me on Twitter. She does always remind me that I can come back home, which is beautiful.  My dad is more of a philosopher. He wants me to see what life has to offer, to pursue the things I love or the things that I’m passionate about. We talk often, about life and what tomorrow will bring. We have a mutual understanding that if I were to ever need guidance, he’d be there to guide. But I’m on my own until then, which is also beautiful.

You used to steal your brothers guitar when he wasn’t home…did he ever catch you playing it?

Oh yeah! Sometimes, he’d measure where he’d put the pic and check to see if it were moved when he came home from work. He would yell at me and tell me to “NEVER TOUCH MY STUFF AGAIN!” Now that I’m older, I have a funny feeling he was never genuinely angry at me for trying to follow in his footsteps (he was in a local band). I know for a fact that he thinks I have him to thank for the path I’ve gone down and all the success I’ve achieved so far. I suppose that’s partly true.

Were you ever in a band, or have you always been a solo artist?

I was in a few bands that went nowhere. Being in a band has a funny way of showing you how great going solo can be. Although I did get most of my musical chops playing with other people: learning how to jam, playing shitty little bar venues, sleeping on a disgusting tour bus, being paid in pizza; It’s all a fundamental part of learning how to be a musician. Those bands got me ready for my solo career. I love being solo. As you can imagine, it’s extraordinarily freeing. No one to answer to, no drama, nobody to rely on. Money and popularity split ONE way. It’s splendid. But sometimes, every now and again, I’ll go see a show where there’s a guy on stage with a full band behind him and I say to myself “God i miss that. It just looks like so much fun.” I will at some point need a full band if I ever want to attract a stadium full of people, that’s just the way the music industry is, but for now, I’m liking the smaller venues. The intimacy that only a solo singer/songwriter can achieve is so profound that I know I’ll be content doing it this way for the rest of my life.

By the way, I love the song “No Good”…

I’m not going to take off my clothes because it reminds me of you. I’m way past losing control because keeping my cool reminds me of you!” AH I LOVE IT! That’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written. It’s different from my other stuff and as close to my heart as a song can be. It’s also the only song on the “Before The Love Goes” EP that I wrote and recorded all the music for, from drums to harmonies to everything in between. I know it seems a tad egotistical but I’m really proud of that song. Like a kid with a drawing that just wants to show everyone.

A lot of your songs seem very personal such as “Your Man” and “Take Me Back”…is a lot of your music based on experiences that you’ve had throughout your life?

I think everyone goes through similar experiences. If I write about my own, I’m bound to touch on other people’s feelings. Most of my music is based on stuff I have or stuff I would like to experience. It’s a way to get people through whatever it is they’re going through, knowing someone else has felt it too. I like to think of it like this: you know those little pinhole projectors you used to make as a kid to view a solar eclipse? It allows you to see the eclipse without hurting your eyes. Although you’re not actually seeing it in it’s full effect, you still get a chance to glimpse something extraordinary. The same with an emotion. The song is the pinwheel allowing you to feel that emotion without actually having to REALLY feel it. That’s what music is, I think, and it’s doubly effective when the listener has been through something similar.

When did you move to Los Angeles?

1/1/11. I have it tattooed on my hand. I never intended to make it a symbolic day or anything. That just happened by accident, which is special in its own right I suppose. I packed up all my stuff and got in my car New Years Day. At the risk of sounding immensely cliché, the drive was really spiritual. i’d never done anything like it. Being out on the road by myself was eye opening. Just thinking about it gives me weird butterflies.

When can we expect an official Marty Shannon music video?! An album/project?

The second album (full length) is in the works as i type this. I’m recording it all in my home studio and taking my time, which I love that I’m able to do. That should be out sometime in February of 2013. I’ve tried so many times to do a music video and they’ve all been pretty much complete failures. The universe just doesn’t think the time is right i guess.

How was it performing at big time venues such as The Roxy, The Viper Room, and the House of Blues?

Great! I love those places. They are the perfect size for my kind of set. The Key Club was probably my favorite show, though. I got to play along side my friend Ron Pope that night. Great audience, awesome engineer, super cool bouncers and club promoters.  It’s also where I got to sign my first body part, so it has a special place in my heart.

What would you say has been the most memorable moment in your career thus far?

Moving to L.A. I had a fair amount of success in Florida but I had to get out. Yeah, moving to L.A has easily been the coolest/memorable moment so far. That and signing a body part. Oh, and the first time I was interrupted at dinner to sign a cd and take a picture! That was a really special moment for me. I was all rock star cool guy on the outside, but on the inside I was almost in tears. I realize that that’s three separate moments, but C’MON!

You seem like a very humble person, how do you maintain that so well as you become more popular?

I honestly don’t know how people can be so egotistical in this industry! I know that sounds weird, but think about it: It’s probably one of the hardest to make any headway in and it’s REALLY hard to meet trustworthy people out here. You’d think musicians would be a little nicer and a touch more grounded after all they’d been through to get where they are. There is no excuse for ego. The people that interrupt your dinner for a photo are the ones who’ve made you who you are. We should be asking THEM for pictures! I certainly don’t make any conscious effort to be humble or kind. I guess that’s just the way I was raised. It really is a shame that fame and money make those people forget how they got to where they are.

What advice do you have for up and coming artists trying to make their way into the industry?

Do it forever. Don’t you dare stop. You’ll hate it at times. You’ll even try to rationalize how maybe pursuing something else might be a better fit. NO! Bologna! Do it and shut up. Perseverance is the only way anyone has ever gotten anywhere. My man Calvin Coolidge said it best: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” What a stud! That’s stuff to live by. The music business is like a lady; you have to remember that you love it even when it’s being a total pain.

Twitter: @MartyShannon Facebook: Marty Fan Page

Photo Credit: Deidhra Fahey

Styling: Audrey Brianne