Shannon Shaw from Shannon & The Clams discusses moving away from Oakland, coping with grief after losing her fiancé, and the inspiration behind their album. The episode also delves into the songwriting process, emotional vulnerability, seeking support through music, and the creative use of instruments like the omnichord.
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Quick takeaways
Shannon & The Clams found creative inspiration in personal tragedy to produce their emotionally charged album.
Their music reflects a blend of genres and emotions, showcasing a unique approach to songwriting and composition.
Deep dives
Shannon and the Clams: Coping with Tragedy and Inspiration
Shannon and the Clams, formed by Shannon Shaw and Cody Blanchard, share their emotional journey through loss and music creation. The tragic events they faced, including a fire, a stalker incident, and Shannon's fiance's death, heavily influenced their latest album, 'The Moon is in the Wrong Places.' Despite the grief, songs like 'The Vow' and 'Beanfields' express moments of joy and gratitude amidst heartache, showcasing a blend of emotions in their music.
Musical Influences and Songwriting Process
The band drew inspiration from artists like Shocking Blue, Sir Doug Quintet, and The Beach Boys, aiming to capture a genre mashup blending R&B, psychedelia, and disco elements in their music. Shannon used an Omni-Chord to enhance her songwriting, creating a physical and satisfying process by experimenting with pre-programmed drum beats and chord combinations. Their album's structure, like 'The Moon is in the Wrong Place,' reflects a unique approach to composition and arrangement.
Impact of Tragedy on Song Creation
Despite facing immense loss, Shannon Shaw found solace in music and songwriting as a form of emotional processing and self-expression. Writing upbeat and celebratory songs, like 'Beanfields,' reflected Shannon's journey from grief to gratitude and highlighted the influence her late partner had on her musical exploration. The album's tracks like 'The Vow' and 'Hourglass' encapsulate the complexities of mourning and finding moments of happiness amid sorrow.
Creative Process and Recording Decisions
Shannon and Cody navigated their creative process by curating playlists for inspiration and refining their song selections for the album. Their method involved prioritizing songs that truly resonated with them while leaving room for spontaneous decisions during the recording sessions. Cody reflected on the need for external guidance in song selection, reminiscent of the role played by producers like George Martin for The Beatles, to provide critical insights into the album's direction.
Shannon & The Clams were long time regulars in the Bay Area music scene. The band’s two main songwriters—Shannon Shaw and Cody Blanchard met in college in Oakland, California. They remained there for about a decade until a number of events set them adrift physically and spiritually.
The band’s new album, The Moon Is In the Wrong Place, is taken from a phrase Shannon’s fiancé, Joe Haener uttered shortly before his passing. Much of the album is anchored around Shannon’s grief. On today's episode Justin Richmond talks to Shannon Shaw and Cody Blanchard about moving away from Oakland, the aftermath of losing a loved one, and about their Dan Auerbach-produced album, The Moon Is In The Wrong Place.
You can hear a playlist from Shannon's late fiancé, Joe Haener, HERE.