Shannon Wright Mini Interview (playing Shellac's ATP next month)
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Name Of Artist: Shannon Wright
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Year Formed/Started Performing or Recording: 1999
Bio: "In ten years, this shy and emotional American woman became as known as the more famous indie rock artists and she can't be ignored by the specialized press which stopped to compare her to PJ Harvey and Bjork. Her strong character, her refusal of everything's fashioned, her integrity always made her run away from the cliche. She have had a perfect progression since her first album Flight Safety, released in 1999. But she still develops her discography, keeping a coherence.
After four first albums, Shannon Wright decided to stop exploring her rage and anguish to care about the real life, which brought a bit of light she leaves filter through Let in the Light. We can enjoy on it Shannon playing a lively piano, as best as Yann Tiersen's, her friend and partner since they met in 2004 for the recording of a melodious shared album.
In 2009, with Honeybee Girls, Shannon Wright faces up to her taboos : acoustics and electronics. Piano, organ, guitars, violoncello with indistinct tones allow to feel freedom and freshness. Thanks to her fans and the pleasure she can feel on stage, she follows nearly immediately on Secret Blood with her loyal partners, Andy Baker (bass, sound recording and mix) and Brant Rackley (drums). The title is extracted from one of the most beautiful songs of the album "Merciful Secret blood of a Noble Man": the one she opens up the most. A voice more self-confident, the specific tone of the organ, soft rhythmics are not the only ones to give this feeling of quenching and diffuse warmth.
Secret Blood is a promise of freedom, the most important thing in her career. She does not pay any attention to people who label her. This ninth album is the perfect illustration of her freedom, alternating short songs, folk, noise, lullabies for adults.
There is a reason for the presence of a Black Flag record on the cover. Shannon Wright has always claimed this legacy to a rock without compromise, at least by her tone, perfectly exact and sometimes rough. By the songs too : "Fractured" allows to rediscover Washington Hardcore, "Commoner's Saint" and its strong guitars, or the hypnotic "Violent Colors". But Shannon Wright makes you feel a hypersensitivity as well, with "On The Riverside", "Dim Reader" or "Satellites". We can feel other prooves of youthful energy all through Secret Blood ; whereas the delicate arrangements of "Under the Luminaries" are emblematic of the total control of a complicated artist of great integrity."
Do your best to describe the sound of your band in one sentence:
Ummmmm....several species.
What are the most recent activities of your band?
In the studio recording next record.
How excited are you to play this event?
Immensely.
Do you have a connection with Shellac / an idea why you were chosen to play?
Recorded with Steve quite a bit, recording some things with Bob in a month. They chose me out of obligation and pity.
Which of your releases do you feel ATP attendees should check out first?
"Over the Sun" recorded by: Steve Albini
Is there one of your tracks you think specifically represents you best?
"With Closed Eyes" from "Over the Sun" (listen here on our Soundcloud)
Are there any other currently confirmed bands you're excited about seeing?
Uzeda
Red Fang
Wire
If you were curating, name three bands you'd want to play your event...
Fugazi
Fugazi
Fugazi
and
Unwound
Unwound
Unwound
What have your previous experiences at ATP been like? Any favourite memories?
10 years ago when Shellac asked me to play ATP it was the best party I've ever attended. So much fun, love, mutual respect, and outstanding music. 1st memory: Drinking coffee and watching Shellac put on a scary/intense show at 10 am the first day of the festival. 2nd favorite memory: Prior to introducing me on stage, Fred Armisen (a deadly funny man and who's now on SNL) dressed up and pretended to be a music producer from the 80s. He lectured the audience about the importance of new age music while Bob played Spyro Gyro quietly over the PA. This was very baffling to the people in the crowd and his brillance confused everybody.
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Shannon Wright plays ATP's Nightmare Before Christmas festival curated by Shellac this November 30th-December 2nd. Tickets are on sale now from this link.
Read some previous mini interviews with bands playing this event:
STNNNG!
Zeni Geva
Dead Rider
Oxbow
Scrawl
Three Second Kiss
Bear Claw
Arcwelder
Mission Of Burma
Alix
Red Fang