Paul Simon, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Martin Sexton, Louden Wainwright III, John Gorka, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Cake, Tom Petty (though I don't listen to him much or often, I'm always inspired by his solid simplicity), Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Patti Griffin...
“Shawn Snyder’s original acoustic folk-rock is lyric-driven, with an organic simplicity, utmost sincerity, and unmistakable groove” (Beat Magazine, Melbourne, Australia), soulfully blurring the lines between folk, rock, jazz, and blues. Whether treating audiences to an intimate solo-acoustic performance or collaborating with other musicians, his live shows are always impassioned and expressively earnest. Shawn considers among his influences the likes of James Taylor, Paul Simon, Lyle Lovett, Martin Sexton, Tom Waits, John Gorka, Patti Griffin, and Louden Wainwright III.
A relatively recent Harvard graduate (with a degree in Religion), Shawn has opted to make the most out of his diploma, by pursuing a career as singer-songwriter. Now twenty-six years old, he has been playing the guitar from the age of five and writing music since he was thirteen. Only in college, however, with the mentorship of seasoned singer-songwriter Livingston Taylor, did Shawn up the ante on his own musical endeavors; bringing his songs beyond bedroom walls and to the receptive ears of others in coffee shops, on the street, at music festivals, and in clubs across the country (and around the world).
After graduating, Shawn spent 2004 in California’s Bay Area playing West Coast gigs with his mix and match crew of incredibly talented musicians (including mythic drummer Dave Krusen of Pearl Jam “Ten” fame). His growing American fan base now straddles both U.S. coasts; he’s played stages in San Francisco and Los Angeles’ hottest singer-songwriter spots (including Gary Jules’ Hotel Café in the heart of Hollywood), New York and Boston’s legendary acoustic venues (most notably, The Bitter End and Club Passim), and a multiplying multitude of rooms up, down, and in between.
With more than a touch of wanderlust, Shawn kicked off 2005 in solo-acoustic troubadour mode, taking his music international and down-under. Setting up gypsy-style shop in music-loving Melbourne, he took the scene by storm, managing to “win over the Aussie ear (blank-slate, grass-roots, ground-up fashion) with his distinctive, heartfelt, and homegrown style” (Beat Magazine). In only five months, Shawn obtained quality street press and national radio-play; not to mention booking and playing over thirty shows in some of the city’s most respected venues (including monthly appearances at the renowned Manchester Lane, where Rufus Wainwright also performed during his 2005 Australian tour).
During the latter half of the same year, Shawn returned to his hometown South Florida for a longer-than-usual stay and rapidly immersed in the local musical subculture. Playing an average of three shows a week to always-growing audiences, his name, music, and hair fast become recognizable staples in the scene, and he was acknowledged by CityLink Magazine as South Florida’s “hardest-working solo-artist.” This uncharacteristically stationary year allowed for the release of his debut solo-album, Dog Eared Pages, and multiple mini-tours were launched in support.
The road proved far too tempting, however, and the nomadic instinct passionately persistent. In August 2006, Shawn took off in his Hyundai Elantra for what’s been more than a year of cross-country coastal pinballing. Over 40,000 Miles to Date. 120 Plus shows. 50 Some Odd Cities. And More Than 25 States.
During this time, via HomeTown PitStops, he also managed to record and release his latest album, Romantic’s Requiem. A nine month collaboration with friend and producer George Zhen, this follow up to 2006’s “DogEaredPages” promises to surprise those only familiar with Shawn Snyder’s solo-acoustic work to date. With nine other musicians weaving their way through its thirteen tracks, “Romantic’s Requiem” is a multicolored concept album of sorts. A patchwork look at love and disillusionment from a variety of snapshot angles, on a winding road through varied musical landscapes. Digging from seven some odd years of songwriting, its tracks prove sometimes humorous, always nostalgic, occasionally painful, and perhaps poignant.
One thing remains consistent in his art. Whether mining the internal world of love, heartache, and soulful striving, or playing storytelling curator to his eavesdropping on the world at large, his observations are always colored with his unique perspective: an affirmation of life, hope, and beauty in the face of sadness and struggle.
Hello friend!!! It's been awhile! It was about this time last year that I was fortunate enough to meet you out in L.A.! Good times...anywho...hopefully going to be sending a couple tunes your way soon for some recording...oh, and what was that program you were showing me? Something you has bought for MySpace?
Just checking in to see how you're doing. Miss you in FL and can't wait to hear you again at the moose! I will definitely try to bring more people...everyone needs to hear you! Good luck and wish you happiness on all your travels!
thanks for the friendship shawn, hope to see you out in oz again soon. i had a listen to them, i like em id love to come see you play if you were in australia again. keep the dream alive.
Live & Original (Fav Friends) aims to Nurture & Support the Most Promising & Renowned Songwriters, Bands & Influential Musicians from the Central Coast NSW & Australia Wide in a Relaxed, yet Vibrant & Attentive Atmosphere.
Have a great week, follow your dreams and I look forward to catching up soon.
Take Care
Ben Roberts .. ‘Live and Original’ 0414 951 834 Email liveandoriginal@yahoo.com.au Live & Original On-Air with Ben on CoastFm 96.3 www. coastfm. org. au (Live Steamed) Mon 8pm-10pm </font
Te invitamos a ver el nuevo Video Clip de Los Humberstones para la canción Obituario. Dirigido por Rodrigo González y con la magistral actuación de Felipe de la Cerda.
Hello, Sweet Shawn, I am so happy that you found me and reached out for a connection - to introduce me to your music and yourself. I've let your tracks play through about three times in a row now in another window, and I've been loving every minute of it. What a peaceful vibration your music has! While I love them all, I especially like the passion in 1,000 Piece Puzzle and the upbeat vibe in Deja Vu. You have a soothing voice, and you sure know how to pull it all together to reach your audience! It is my honor to be your friend. Enjoy a peaceful, happy day, Shawn! ♥ Kelly
definitly a ben harper feel. love it! you really should stop by iowa sometime. that would be amazing. we need more good shows in these parts to help our state grow musically.
"few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation...it is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strakes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current wich can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
robert kennedy, day of affirmation speech at university of cape town in june 6, 1966
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