Q&A with Shannon LaBrie

Singer/songwriter Shannon LaBrie will be playing a live show on Feb. 5 at Moonlight on the Mountain in Bluff Park. Sara Bath Go will be her opening act, and the cost for the show is $12.

Music Connection named LaBrie as one of the “Best Unsigned Artists of 2013” and Labrie’s debut at Austin City Limits Music Festival earned rave reviews of her live performance. The Hoover Sun recently caught up with LaBrie to ask about her inspiration and musical influences.

For more about Labrie, visit shanonlabriemusic.com. For more about Go, visit sarabethsongs.com.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Lincoln, Nebraska but Nashville, Tennessee is home to me now. I’m a singer-songwriter and have been writing lots of new songs as of late. I have an infatuation with lions. I love the story and history and taste of wine.  I drive a 1992 Honda Wagon named Rhonda. I’m a terrible speller. 

Describe what type of music you write and perform.

I’m classified as a “singer-songwriter,” and my music has a strong jazz and rock influence. To sum it up, I was raised on James Taylor and Lauryn Hill. 

Where does your inspiration come from?

Life. Everything around me. I think I’m especially inspired by pain and loss. I tend to write songs about things I’ve personally experienced and the things that my friends have experienced. 

What’s the greatest compliment you’ve ever received about your music?

“You remind me of Jeff Buckley.” 

He was and is still one of the most influential musicians in my life. I didn’t discover him until I moved to Nashville but, he’s so amazing. He is honest. Nothing can be better or truer about the sounds and lyrics of song than pure honesty! 

What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?

Be prepared to work harder than anyone you know. Once you are working harder than anyone you know, work even harder. It is a never ending climb and you must love your craft or you will quit. It’s a marathon not a sprint.