An Interview With The Singer-Songwriter, MARTY SHANNON, On New Music, Favorite Artists and More!

Meet the recording artist and songwriter, Marty Shannon! His newest single is called “You Got Me” and it is available now to stream and download on iTunes, Apple Music, and Spotify. Shannon’s previous tracks, “Cynic” appeared in an episode of MTV’s “Awkward” and “Take Me Back” was featured on VH1.

He has performed at countless world famous venues such as The Roxy, The Troubadour, Whiskey A Go Go, Hard Rock Cafe Tampa/Phoenix/Los Angeles/Las Vegas, and Hotel Cafe just to name a few. Marty also headlined for Teen Vogue’s Annual Back to School event as well.

He has a large social media following as an indie recording artist with a verified Instagram account with over 14,000 Instagram followers, a verified twitter over 24,000 Twitter followers, and a verified Facebook page.

Shannon has written and performed with contestants from NBC’s “The Voice,” FOX’s “American Idol”, and even wrote a song for AMC’s smash series “The Walking Dead.”

His previous EP’s include: “Twenty Six Hundred,” “Before the Love Goes” and “Literally.”

He has also co-hosted the podcast “The Brett Davern Show” which can be listened to here: https://itunes.apple.com/it/podcast/the-brett-davern-show/id1126581156?l=en&mt=2&ign-mpt=uo%3D2

LISTEN TO MUSIC: https://soundcloud.com/marty-shannon-music

Learn more about Marty Shannon in the following All Access interview:

Happy New Year! Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

As usual, I’m sitting on my couch watching an episode of House Hunters on HGTV. I’ve seen this one 5 times already.

Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your career? What are you most excited about for this year? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions? Care to share them with us?

2017 was mediocre. Lots of ups and downs, but I did get to release a song I’ve been wanting to get out into the world for years. It took the whole year, but “You Got Me” is finally out.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was young. I fell in love with guitar as a kid but never thought to pursue it as a career. I guess it was just obvious to try and make money doing what you love… so here I am. As far as my earliest music memory? I’m pretty sure I remember my mom crying in the car when a Christmas song came on. It reminded her of her parents who had passed away a few years earlier. Music has power, man.

I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your home has affected you and your music today?

I’m a Floridian. Judge me as you will, but my hometown was a beautiful, artistic, tropical wonderland. My best friends in the world still live there and I try to go back a few times a year. That place is in my bloodstream, so I suppose I can’t escape it coming out in my music. Don’t want to.

What was the inspiration for your newest single, “You Got Me”? How is it different or similar to anything else that you have released before?

“You Got Me” is a song I wrote a long time ago but was never really able to breathe life into it the way I wanted to. I learned how to engineer and produce my own music so I could be in total control of the final product. I never purposefully make music that fits into “my” genre, but all my songs tend to be pulled in by the gravity of my experiences and passions. And then look, kids! We have a “sound”

Are you planning on releasing more new music and full collection of new songs soon?

Of course! New music, new collection, new shows, new shoes… all new stuff all the time. Now that I get to captain the ship, I’m able to go from a songs conception to its release WAY sooner than I would be if I were working with other producers.

You have performed at so many world-famous venues so I am curious to know what has been your favorite show so far? What makes for an ideal show for you?

Hard to pick a favorite show. But the best shows are filled with people that CAME TO LISTEN. I have a pretty simple setup when I play (guitar, piano, loop pedal), so when people decide to drive to a show, pay money to get in, and then have their loud conversations in the middle of a set, I’ve been known to call people out from the stage. Fortunately, it doesn’t happen often. People are usually pretty rad, in my experience.

Speaking of shows, do you have tour dates lined up this year yet? Where can people see you play out live next?

Until some more new tunes are out, most of my shows will be in the Southern California area. I always let people know where to see me on Instagram/Twitter. Follow ya boi @Marty_shannon

I am a big fan of The Walking Dead so I must ask you about writing a song for that show?! What was that like and how did you find the inspiration to write it?

It was a really fun time working with Brighton Sharbino and Kyla Kenedy. They played Lizzie and Mika Samuels on the show. The director of one of the episodes thought it would be cool if the two girls sang a song for their “memoriam” moment after (spoiler) they were killed off. They came to the studio and we wrote a sweet, melancholy song about starting over and saying goodbye. We still keep in touch years later!

Where do you find that you at your happiest- on stage performing, in the studio recording music, writing songs or elsewhere?

Each have their unique qualities. Finishing a songs production is such a huge high. But there really isn’t anything like being on stage. It’s indescribable. I could cry every single time.

We are living in a crazy and at times rough world right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that new music being created today is going to reflect these difficult times?

Art is always the whip that moves society forward. Some people want things to be the way they used to be, but as long as those people have ears to hear music, eyes to see film and art, and a heart that is capable of being moved, then onward out of the mire we will march. I take solace in knowing that

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

John Mayer. He is an absolute legend. Lyrically, musically – no one competes. I would buy a one-way ticket to Antarctica if that’s where he told me he wanted to write.

What do you hope your fans take away from your music? Do you find that a lot of your music has a greater meaning behind it?

Music means what it means to whoever is listening. If I write a song with a greater meaning and it doesn’t register with the listener, then there is no greater meaning. Each person listening to each song is having a completely independent experience. As long as that’s the way things are, then that’s why I make music.

Is there anything else that you would like to share about yourself or your music with our readers?

Keep listening! I’ll keep playing!