Shane Walters
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | SELF
Music
Press
60 Seconds With... Shane Walters
So then, what’s the band name and what do you ‘do’ in the band?
My name is Shane Walters, and I’m a self-managed 100% independent singer/songwriter. I write the music, record it, produce it, promote it, tour it, write more of it, sing it, live it and breathe it.
What do you love about making music?
Music is like a fractal in many ways, because of its structured formula there’s always new ways to hear the music and arrangements. Learning more and more patterns of music and how they relate to emotions is something that interests me greatly.
What do you hate about the music industry?
The fact that my mind has been blown away and my heart melted numerous times by extremely talented musicians from across the globe, and they have little chance of pursuing their gift on a full-time basis. But this is changing! With global social media platforms evolving rapidly, we can become connected with people across the world and grow the awareness of our music. Record labels will be as useful as a printed-copy of this magazine in 10 years.
What can a punter expect from your live show?
Me playing my lapslide guitar, ukulele, an array of other guitars, and singing raspy melodies, whilst being accompanied by extremely talented musicians.
What’ve you got to sell CD-wise?
I've got a couple of EPs that I sell at shows, but I’m about to give birth to a full-length album called Box Of Birds. It will be available online for download in a few months purely based on donation. I believe the ability to listen and enjoy music should not be determined by whether or not you can afford to. Once you’ve downloaded it, if you feel you connect with it and it’s worth supporting, there will be options available to you to do so. Instead of “gimme 20 bucks and I hope you like it all”.
One day left before the apocalypse and you…
Realize that I should've made up better answers to this Q&A. Probably sing, listen and dance to my favourite music with good folks somewhere away from any city, while having a little bitch that should’ve paid more attention to Dr David Suzuki!
Anything else to add?
I am the host of Melting Pot's Open Mic Mondays every week for the month of March at Bertha Brown. - Beat magazine Melbourne
In my capacity as a music presenter on Melbourne’s PBSFM, I have interviewed Shane on several occasions over the last 4 years, and play his original music regularly. My show, Roots of Rhythm (Weds. 9-11am), has a very strong Australian music content, and Shane’s music has always received a good reaction from the listeners.
I admire Shane’s ability to explore new avenues to develop his song writing skills, and to promote himself world wide, with Tours to US and Canada, and more recently, to Europe.
I have had the privilege of meeting & listening to many talented Australian songwriters over my 23 years as a music presenter, and Shane Walter is certainly among them.
Helen Jennings
Roots of Rhythm
PBSFM
- PBSfm
Discography
Shane released his debut EP Faces on his 25th birthday at the end of September 06.
Followed by "Live on PBSfm" with bonus track "It", which Shane recorded in LA during October 2007.
As of March 2010 Shane Walters and band are putting the final touches on the long awaited full-length debut album "Box Of Birds".
For sample of Shane's music follow the links to his website, and also check out his live shows via youtube.
Photos
Bio
Shane Walters has been breaking strings on the stages of Melbourne, Australia for the last 11 years.
His tested, "1....2", in almost every PA system on both sides of the river. Knocking out numbers and developing his art as a unique singer/songwriter in the home of Australia's live music.
Performing solo or with talented medlies a
as mostly a solo artist over the years. With no formal musical training, Shane relies on his instincts and ability to absorb music, and recreated it in his own way.
Now working with a band “Co.”, comprising of a number of talented musicians called upon as needed to help bring Shane’s music to life. Working together to develop a dynamic live sound, adding as much presence as possible without compromising the intricacies and space for notes to breathe.
Within his live performance Shane can swap between electric guitar, acoustic guitar, his own handmade electric & acoustic lapslide, harmonica, a 12string acoustic lapslide, Resonator lapslide, piano, bottleneck guitar and djembe. Giving Shane a diverse range of instrumentation, and styles to compose within.
Shane's music and writing style varies from peculiar rhythms, guitar driven roots with a hints of country, upbeat jazzy finger-picking, alternate tunings and delicate slide guitar playing. His lyrical inspirations come from the surrounding world, and life’s splendors and tribulations along this journey of life.Once you scratch the surfaces of the music Shane creates, you begin to hear a stable writing balance of music and poetry.
Since 2002 Shane has been showcasing gigs and events around his hometown of Melbourne, touring regional Victoria, North American in 2007 and recently Europe in 2010. Endlessly independently promoting and selling his CD’s and merchandise along the way.
With the his full-length debut album “Box Of Birds” nearing completion, Shane Walters is looking forward to ‘step up to the plate (microphone)’ as one of Australia’s rising independent Blues & Roots artist.
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