We were fortunate enough to catch up with musician Shawn Seguin following the release of his superb album, ‘Saving Christmas‘. Enjoy the full interview below!
Hi Shawn, tell us about yourself?
I’ve been making music for 25 years, starting with guitar and DJing. Hip hop was my biggest early influence, which led me to DJ and rap for a band called Obed Edom. We performed at various venues, including the Staples Center. Now, I’m married with four kids who keep me busy. Between fatherhood and my work as a hospital chaplain, life is full. Music has become my outlet for creativity and play, a way to recharge in the midst of it all.
I read you wrote music while you were driving, what is your full songwriting process?
Inspiration usually hits me at random—a lyric or melody that sticks in my mind. If it resonates deeply, I can’t shake it, so I head to a piano or guitar to develop it further. I typically write and arrange all my music on my laptop. The car has become a special space for songwriting, where my mind is most free. When fatherhood and work are overwhelming, writing in the car offers an escape and a place of play. Writing Christmas songs in July was a way to keep my joy alive, even in the midst of life’s demands.
Tell us about your superb latest release, ‘Saving Christmas’?
Saving Christmas explores how deeply divided America is, especially during the political season. That’s why the album kicks off with “Christmas is Ruined.” The rest of the songs offer humorous attempts to heal these divisions and rediscover the Christmas spirit. It all builds up to the final song, which is the most serious and heavily inspired by Sufjan Stevens. This track emphasizes that Christmas isn’t the solution in itself; rather, it points us to our deeper need for love and connection. We are capable of generosity and love all year long, but the Christmas season helps us remember and tap into that part of ourselves.
‘Saving Christmas’ is a brilliant concept album. What made you release a full album over singles?
I started making music when full albums were the standard, and I fell in love with the idea of creating a cohesive story through multiple songs. Whether it was a concept album or just an overarching theme, I’ve always enjoyed that journey. As the music industry has shifted toward single releases and TikTok-driven hits, I’ve played around with that approach, but the desire to craft a full album with a strong theme has always been at the heart of my process.
What made you want to release a Christmas album?
Last year, I wrote a single Christmas song called “Christmas is Changing Everything,” and it’s garnered around 56k streams on Spotify. Even before Christmas hit, I had a few more ideas for Christmas songs that I couldn’t shake. So, I kept writing, and by July, I had eight new songs. “Christmas is Changing Everything” ended up on the full album, and the rest followed naturally from there.
You’re a one-man band, writing and recording all the music and lyrics yourself. What draws you to the indie-pop genre?
My love for pop started when I was young, but over time, I became more drawn to obscure and experimental music. Influences like Danielson, Sufjan Stevens, Anathallo, and Half-Handed Cloud have shaped my sound. At the same time, I’ve never been able to shake my love for hip hop, which plays a significant role in my work and gives my indie-pop sound a unique twist.
Who are your musical influences?
In addition to the artists I’ve already mentioned, I’ve been really into Oliver Tree, Black Country, New Road, and Sleeping at Last lately. They all bring something fresh and unique to the table that I find inspiring.
And who are your non-musical influences?
I’m deeply inspired by a mix of religious figures, poets, philosophers, and comedians. I love Julia Fehrenbacher’s The Most Important Thing and Mary Oliver’s Gratitude. The teachings of Jesus have shaped my worldview, and more recently, I’ve been influenced by the works of Thich Nhat Hanh. On a lighter note, Tim Robinson’s I Think You Should Leave and Zach Galifianakis’s stand-up bring humor and levity that I really appreciate.
What scares you most when releasing music?
I worry that people won’t quite get it. My music blends a lot of different genres, which makes it tough for curators to place. I’m not fully hip hop, not fully indie pop, and some songs lean more folk. I just write what feels right to me, but that sometimes means my songs don’t seem cohesive. Or a bridge might feel completely different from the rest of the song because it’s what fits in the moment for me. That’s a risk I take, but it can be nerve-wracking.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles for bands/artists today?
The music industry is driven by algorithms and money. If your work doesn’t get a lot of attention in the first hour of release, it can disappear in the sea of music that never gets heard. There’s so much great music out there that will go unnoticed, and on top of that, AI-generated music is becoming competitive with mainstream artists. To stand out, I think humans will need to create something truly unique and personal. That’s why I mix genres and lean into humor—I want to make something that feels authentically human.
What are your hopes for the next two years?
I hope to keep making music while being a dad and a chaplain. I have a lot of new lyrics and melodies coming to me, so I just want to keep writing and creating. If I get the chance to perform, I’d love to do that as well, but my main goal is to keep doing what I love.
FVMusicBlog November 2024
https://sites.google.com/view/shawnseguinmusic
https://youtube.com/@spseguin?si=3OmMeag3ghoHhXh0
https://www.instagram.com/shawnseguin
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