SHAWN MICHAEL PERRY was born into an indigenous heritage (his father is a Native American of Salish ancestry; his mother, Panamanian of Mayan ancestry), Shawn now calls Missoula, Montana home and is pulling himself through a rainy day and rehearsals with his band for some upcoming shows when we call him for our monthly podcast interview.
Shawn first came to the public's attention through his acting skills. He has appeared in the films Last of the Mohicans and Indian Summer. His resume also contains entries from the theater but we're not going to hold that against him.
During our podcast interview when asked who his musical mentors were, the name Jim Pepper is mentioned first. With several top shelf Native performers and musicians at the top of that list. But to answer with Jim Pepper first? This guy is on the right track with me. How often do you hear any Native rock artist say he admires the work of a die-hard be-boppin' Native jazz player? Cool.
His voice has been likened to the sound of Steve Perry, no relation, ala Journey in their seminal work Escape. High soaring vocal rock ballads sung with feeling.
He speaks about how his father wouldn't allow rock music in the house. It was either Ferlin Husky or nuthin' he states matter-of-factly. In speaking about his recognition as both a country and pop artist he goes on, At that time I wasn't too keen on it but now as music has evolved I'm right there in the middle of Nashville with my music and that's pretty cool!
Through the course of the interview Shawn talks about his unique guitar style referring to the styles of Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Clearwater. He mentions that he thought, here's a great Native American guitar player and he plays guitar upside down, backwards and left-handed, too!
It is abundantly clear upon listening to Only The Brave that not only has Shawn been paying his dues as a musician he also has a wonderful producer involved, John Avila, the talented bassist/producer of Oingo Boingo.
The CD consists of a collection of Shawn's original songs and the material is full of lush beautiful vocals and all around beautifully produced and performed rock n roll.
Run 2 U is something a little Fleetwood Mac (Bare Trees) back when Fleetwood Mac had just added Christine McVie and Peter Green was still playing the lead guitar. There is some excellent rock guitar and soulful vocal work on this cut.
If I, the ballad with a moral to the story is zooming up the country charts. He asks all the questions we ask ourselves in reflection of our lives. Well if I choose to run would you set me free?
The Indian contains some crisp rock and roll guitar work and is strong on the vocal. It's a wonderful topic and sentiment in the lyric. Seven generations deep. We are the Indians! This cry becomes a declaration of the unchanging survival of our culture.
Family is one of his two favorites. He emphasizes the importance of commitment to your family and just how important it is to your life. There's a pop sound involved but that sound is based on several various influences.
Fight is built on deep minor chords with some sweet blues guitar over top. The vocal starts with a quote from Chief Joseph I will fight no more forever. They have taken everything but I still believe in love and laughter looking forward into some sort of reconciliation but, He's tired, he says. Fighting reaps no benefits. This is an interesting introspective look at the cost of freedom. It's costly and it takes a lot of energy.
Aboriginality has a strong tribal rhythm underneath a passionate vocal and lyrical storytelling about native issues. Spiced up with a little spoken word this could easily be an Indian country top ten hit. It rocks and jams. Shawn sings, Redefine, walk the line, free your mind, For a time, We're still alive, Aboriginality.'
Shawn has currently gone into pre-production for "Hungry 4 Heroes, the long awaited sophomore album, also working on the single "4EVERNMYHEART" to be sung by special guests, and in Spanish.
The reason you'll want to buy Shawn's Only The Brave CD isn't that you'll want to hear it because he's an internationally famous actor, nor is it because he's a Native American musician but because he's just simply a musician with a great sound of his own, a voice and a message for the time.
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