Well, we're off to Europe! Me and my good friend Abigail Lapell have put together a great little tour of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. If you know anyone in these cities, sent them our way! Head to the "tour dates" section of my website for more details!
My 3rd full length album TOPAZ is out now! TOPAZ Produced by James Bunton and featuring special guests Abigail Lapell, Christine Bougie, Merival, Olenka Krakus & Alexis Marsh.
TOPAZ has already garnered rave reviews; Exclaim.ca gave it a 9/10 rating calling it "gorgeous, lush and intimate". http://exclaim.ca/music/article/shawn_william_clarke-topaz
What's a lyric video? It's a thing that people like, so I made one! Check it out, I'm not the sharpest directer ever, but I was able to use artwork by the very talented Jessica Rae Gordon, so I have that going for me!
Below you'll find the spotify and Apple Music links for the song. If you use either of these, you'd be doing me a huge favour by listening, and added the song to playlists!
Apple Music: https://itun.es/ca/i1PYkb
Spotify:
The beautiful first single from Shawn William Clarke’s upcoming album TOPAZ is a homage to finding windows of solace amidst the chaos of life.
Departing from the more acoustically-driven tendencies of his past release, William, the transition comes with ease. Shawn William Clarke has curated his textures to follow his lyrics. Effortlessly bringing on a more electric and 70’s AM Radio Gold feel to his newest single, “Autumn in New Brunswick”.
Shawn’s signature hypnotic and autobiographical lyrics present the resting and calming points of the hectic nature of touring. Feeling much like a road diary, “Autumn in New Brunswick” is an emotional postcard to a friend. The song is serene and pastoral, matching up as a perfect companion to the subject. Clarke shares a glimpse into his life on the road with Olenka and Autumn Lovers, and fittingly adding the vocal prowess of Olenka herself on harmonies. Sink into your seat, close your eyes and let the words paint the picture for you.
Back in October I found myself at the Folk Music Ontario conference in Ottawa. While there I had a chance to chat with Jan Hall, who has featured me on her program in the past. She's a really wonderful interviewer, and great human being. It was fun to talk with her, and I played 2 new songs that'll appear on my upcoming album! Please check it below, the interview starts around the 18 minute mark.
It's really interesting to listen to those songs, they've gone through some changes since October! I can't wait to play them for you soon!
SWC
Just a quick update, we've started working on my newest album! The follow up to 2016's "William" will be a little different, as I worked closer with a new band, and am playing mostly electric guitar! I'll be posting updates, as we progress, including a link to a pre-order campaign coming very soon! In the meantime, please check out my Instagram Page and/or Professional Facebook page where I've been posting photos from our recording sessions up in Gravenhurst at Curries Music!
Thank you so much for following my work, I really appreciate it, and I'm super excited to show this new music to you all!
Well, 2016 is at it's end. Thankfully. This was a strange year for me, and while I did have a few accomplishments, I'm happy to move on. 2017 looks bright, including the most exciting news, I'll be recording a new album! The follow up to 2014's "William" will commence recording in April. I'll post more details as they come.
In the mean time, here are a few of the albums that really spoke to me this year. I've put a track from each one (and a few more for good measure) on a handy Spotify link at the bottom of the post!
The First 10
The Next 10
Mitch Fillion is the brains and brawn behind Southern Souls. The Ontario music scene's more important time capsule. He's been branching out into full length features, and recently finished an oddity called "Who is This Now?" The film deals with the classic pop conspiracy that Paul McCartney died and was silently replaced during the bands hey day.
For the soundtrack, he enlisted local Ontario acts to cover one of the Beatles Classics. I did a version of "She's Leaving Home", with the assistance of Graydon James, Laura Spink and Abigail Lapell. Listen here (and if you have time, check out the whole soundtrack, there are stellar covers by Cuff the Duke, Little Kid, JJ Ipsen and more)
Take an hour and check out Mitch's film here
Leonard Cohen has passed away. I spend the first hour after hearing the news listening to his music. Songs that have influenced me so much over the last few decades. Then I picked up my guitar and this song flowed out. One of the quickest songs I've ever written. I hope you enjoy it, I have placed the lyrics under this video if you'd like to read along. Please let me know what you think in the comments
A song I wrote the night Leonard Cohen died. Recorded the following morning. Lyrics below softly a la Belle province tremulous refrains tomes underneath each arm Lorca and King James From last lament of Joan of Arc to quiet servitude From the wars against disorder To suggest or allude that it's not long Marianne, I shall see you soon The highways are empty now in New York and Berlin yearning sound from synagogues beckon from within Suzy yells "it's closing time.
Softly a la Belle province
tremulous refrains
tomes underneath each arm
Lorca and King James
From last lament of Joan of Arc
to quiet servitude
From the wars against disorder
To suggest or allude
that it's not long Marianne, I shall see you soon
The highways are empty now
in New York and Berlin
yearning sound from synagogues
beckon from within
Suzy yells “it's closing time.
The wait staff are all vexed.
I wish you could sing one more song.
Of love, or faith or sex.
But it's not too long, Marianne. We shall see you soon”
I hope you passed near a forest
somewhere near your pen
I hope you passed in loving arms
with letters from your friends
I swore I heard them singing
all the way from Clinton Street
I know they'll lock the Chelsea now
Drop the keys at your feet
It's not long Marianne, I shall see you soon
Trick Rider, by Gord Downie
Performed by Shawn William Clarke & Merival
Filmed and edited by Cody Walker
Recorded at Metropolis Living