Shonu (acoustic guitar & vocals):Shonu first seriously studied guitar with friend and mentor Eric Roche in 1997, finally leaving his job as an international corporate finance attorney in a NY law firm in 2002 and enrolling at music school on Eric's advice. He played the London singer-songwriter circuit as a duo through 2002/3, with a band (including percussionist Sean Quinn) in 2004 and went solo in 2005. Shonu met bassist Les Mommsen through Sean (at an African festival staged at the Royal Festival Hall where the two were performing) in 2005. They formed a three-piece band at the start of 2006.
Sean Quinn (percussion and bvs): was brought up in London of Irish/English origin and studied Design Craft specialising in contemporary jewellery design before deciding to pursue his love of music. Sean has been playing and teaching percussion professionally on the London circuit over the last 10 years and has toured in Asia, Africa and Europe. He has his own percussion outfit playing London clubs and venues such as Cargo and the Vibe Bar.
Les Mommsen (acoustic bass): grew up in Zimbabwe and South Africa where he was a well-known professional bass guitarist. He came to London in 2001 to further his musical career in the U.K. and is both a professional sound engineer and bass player. He has toured both Europe and Africa playing bass guitar, has incorporated a unique acoustic finger-picking technique into his various styles and is influenced by diverse genres. He has his own African Jazz/World music ensemble and plays frequently at venues such as Viva Viva.
photos: Ed Harris
web design: Pav Chahal
recording: Brendon Sole
Influences
Shonus influences were as much literary (Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being) and arts-related as musical initially but have evolved from being primarily lyrical and within the singer-songwriter form to a more rounded beat driven and ambient band sound. He has influences ranging from the acoustic humanist lyricism and melody of Joni Mitchell and Damien Rice through the ambient guitar of Jose Gonzalez and John Martyn to the ethereal rhythm and power of Radioheads Hail to the Thief and Muses Supermassive Black Hole. The style has been labelled lyrical, spiritual, ambient, chill out and others. Shonu suggests you just listen and make up your own mind.
Shonu (vocals/guitar) is based in London and plays the London circuit with Sean Quinn (percussion/bvs) and Les Mommsen (bass). Recording and rehearsing towards producing a full album by the end of the year, the band are currently pitching for representation (email info@shonumusic.com).
Small Cold Fragile: Video by Stephen Macmillan (Shonu solo 2005).
SUNHARBOUR PRESS RELEASE
SUNHARBOUR 1st EP Launch 8th September, 2007 @ 93 FEET EAST
BANG! Records' very own first signing - the outrageously talented 16 piece musical collective Sunharbour including musicians that have played with artists such as The Good, The Bad and the Queen, Jamiroquoi and Gnarles Barkley. Their live performance, that has been likened to Zero 7, Air, Aim, Quanitc Soul Orchestra and Groove Armada, consists of 14 musicians, and 2 vocalists, including acoustic and electric guitar, keyboards, samplers, decks, drums, bass guitar, string quartet - cello, 2 violins, 1 viola, brass trio - sax, trumpet, trombone, percussion featuring a gong & the big bad double bass. Simply not to be missed.
If you would like to be our guest for this event please respond to info@productionlondon.com asap
Hi Shonu! New track uploaded called "I Am" featuring Íse on vocals. This track will probably be the intro to the album "I Am" due to be released after this summer. Cheers
hey man, went to see john mayer last night, ben kweller played support - was mad! i added some video of it to my profile, you should check it out, will let you know when photos are up!
hey lovely shonu and lovely band members! hey again. enjoy and all the best with recording. let me know when i can get a CD! your music would be adored out here! so you must come out! i am back on the sunshine coast, QLD so must learn how to surf!!!!!! keep me up to date! big love from leanne xo
hey shonu and band!
i never even got to see you guys again at troubadour before leaving london!!!! do you remember tall aussie big haired girl? Remember us -Leanne and Kim? love your music! loved seeing you guys! keep it up. i will have to get a cd. come visit Aus!!!!!!! ;)
hey there, i really enjoyed your set at the vibe bar the other week, also really enjoyed talking with you before hand... i don't know if you're interested but i video'd much of your set... the sound is fairly bad on my camera but it gives you a perspective... i'll get it to you somehow if you're interested x
