Shawn Z.

One Man Band or Just Plain Gypsy

Shawn Z.seems to be a musician with a lot on his mind and a lot to sing about however, he was very modest when it came down to discussing this musical works.

As a young boy, he was surrounded by music – a father who was a life-long musician, a mother who is a huge music fan, an older brother who sings and a little brother who sings/plays guitar. It’s in his blood! Shawn has been playing music in public for about 15 years or so whether as a solo performer or as a gypsy. Let me elaborate, in some instances, a gypsy is defined as a laborer who moves around place to place meeting the demands of employment so when it comes to music for Shawn Z. – it’s labor of love. Love for music and the willingness to perform anywhere, with anyone. Outside of his solo act, Shawn Z. is a member of a band called Gypsy, which is comprised of various other music gypsies mixed and matched at any given time:

Shawn Z. – Vocals / Rhythm Guitar
Bret Alexander – Vocals / Lead Guitar
Ron Simasek – Percussion
Firp Edmunds – Bass Guitar
Paul Smith – Bass Guitar / Vocals
Mike Powers – Lead Guitar / Vocals
Eli Marsh – Bass Guitar / Vocals
R.J. Minichello – Percussion / Vocals

Bassist Paul Smith (Cellarbirds/Badlees) said, “ I only played out with Gypsy a few times but I can tell you – Shawn’s a real creative and fun performer. He’s definitely all about the audience’s experience and having a good show. He’s also been really helpful with the promotion of fellow musician’s endeavors.“

R.J. Minichello (Rock Revolution/GemStone/NewPastLife) who says music is his passion and drumming is his life, never knew Shawn until recently when Ron Simasek (drummer extraordinaire Gypsy/Cellarbirds/Badlees) called him. “ When I got a call from Ron about filling in for him (as the Badlees regrouped), I found myself listening to Shawn’s songs to learn them for shows and at the same time becoming a fan as well. Shawn (to me) went from a complete stranger to what I consider a dear friend. I love playing with Shawn and look forward to his future.”

Shawn Z. likes to let loose and play, it’s all about the music. His preference is to play rhythm guitar and sing but he also plays bass, piano and harmonica. He is a follower of lyrics and meaning in songs as one can tell from listening to his music. He writes about what he knows, all of his songs allude to his experiences, his life. As a listener he hopes you create your own pictures and discover your own feelings while playing his music. He writes with an open heart and tries not to be a coward about what’s in there. “I have a problem with writing fiction – it’s easier to write about what I’ve been though or what I have seen,” said Shawn.

Having already opened for renown artists such as Toby keith, Willie Nelson and John Fogarty, he would love the chance to support the likes of his other influences such as Bob Dylan, Steve Earle and John Prine to name a few. Shawn Z.’s previous release Wishful Drinkin’ was categorized by radio and press as being Americana – alternative, roots rock, country style, in the same category as Steve Earle and Bob Dylan which is quite alright with him. He also likes to give ear to artists who send out a message such as Randy Newman, Hayes Carll, Ray LaMontagne and the Sex Pistols. It’s hard for him to absorb his own music as he is apt to start critiquing and thinking of different ideas in which he could have done better in a certain aspect.

‘Wishful Drinkin’ released in 2004 was on the Americana charts for 14 weeks and reached #11. It continues to get world-wide airplay on radio and continues to gain reviews. “Considering I’m just a guy from NorthEast PA with no management, label, etc., … I think it’s amazing,” says Shawn. His shows are usually promoted by word of mouth, radio, local press and internet social networks.

Let’s not forget about the 2008 album Saint Jude Avenue. I asked Shawn about the title of this album and he remarked, “Saint Jude Avenue is a street that every city has although not necessarily named “Saint Jude” … but the same street, people, scene. I lived on one .. got chased by knife yielding idiots cuz I talked to some girl at the mini-mart. At the same time, you meet people on their way up in life, or on their way down. People just stopping through … it’s a ‘melting pot’ so to speak. Actually, come to think of it, I‘ve lived on a few of those streets throughout the years. I grew up in the country .. from small town to small town – living la vida ‘gypsy’.” The track “Better Than Me” speaks the story of a man on that street.

With his folk-rock baritones, Shawn Z. he tells a tale of letting go of your past, stressing the ‘revelation’ in the songs title “Life Goes On” – with a bluesy, cry-in-your-beer vibe. He also seems to find humor in the “kick up your heels” song “Half Baked” with hee-haw style, frolicking lyrics … “This goes out to what’s her name … where ever she is today.” With a chorus that goes “She’s hotter than a pig at a pig roast, hotter than one of those rockets on the 4^th of July, hotter than a dog down in China, she‘s the half baked apple of my eye! Suey!” Something tells me Shawn Z. might have been “half in the bag” when he wrote that one -eh!

With a new record in the works, Shawn Z. says it will be an A-Z collection. He records at Saturation Acres Recording Studio in Dupont, PA. In Shawn’s words, “Bret Alexander is an amazing producer. We have many of the same influences. We can just close our eyes while playing and be on the same level.” Bret Alexander and Ron Simasek (both members of the acclaimed The Badlees) often join Shawn as part of the band Gypsy. Shawn met both fellow musicians back in the 90’s … while he was in radio. “They had not been signed to a national deal at the time but we played the Badlees music anyway, it was really good!”

In music, even social issues are fair game but Shawn Z. doesn’t necessarily share his views on various topics although he will use whatever rhymes in his lyrics. “It’s all good,” he jokes. He tries not to take everything so serious as he wants to have fun with the music. For instance, when I asked Shawn, “What is your dream?” He replied, “Well. Last night I had a dream where I was being chased my Judge Judy’s husband and … I think Dick Cheney was with him.”

But don’t let the humor fool you – Shawn Z. is a very driven person. Just as every other musician, he wants a venue full of music lovers, singing, dancing and wanting more when the shows done. That is the best part, people having some hoopla and liking your music. “I really want to expand our playing area,” said Shawn. “Finding the right circuit of clubs and venues in general, can be a challenge. Don’t give up! If you believe in yourself and your music, keep at it. Don’t take no for an answer.” Over ten years ago, he put together an online radio station known as “Gypsy Radio.”

He missed the free-form format where you could tune in and hear a variety of music. Today’s radio is so corporate driven that unless you are backed by a big name label or the American Idol type – a lot of local music/talent is overlooked. The audience is hungry for new music. They tire of hearing the same songs over and over all day long in the corporate driven format. Folks are becoming more open-minded towards “original” music and at times the regular cover scene grows old. Downloading music helps in that respect, people can find what they like, share it with friends and there is more diversity in what is heard as far as the music is concerned. What is important is that music of all genres are being heard. To get an ear full of Gypsy Radio you can tune into www.live365.com/stations/shawnz .

Shawn Z. and Ron (the drummer) Simasek play out quite a lot, both just driven to play music and have a good time. Ron concludes, “Shawn has an uncanny knack of reading a crowd. He sizes up the room to see what the audience looks like, what they are playing on the jukebox, and what they are might be into. Then, based on his acute observations, he tailors his set to his findings. Some nights, if the crowd is on the younger side, Shawn will play music from the 90’s and beyond. The older crowds get a lot of 60’s and 70’s stuff. The faraway venues will get a healthy dose of country. I’ve never seen such diversity in a set list, based on demographics and by sizing up a crowd. Each night is completely different.

But, without a fault, the audience is always pleased with the show. Shawn is an encyclopedia of modern music. And that’s just the cover stuff. Shawn’s original songs are as good as it gets. He really sets stories and life experiences to catchy, often danceable, high energy tunes. Everyone relates to his music on a basic level. Shawn is a consummate entertainer and showman, as well. He makes me smile every time we play. And that’s usually difficult to maintain after playing together for years. I’ve never seen anyone walk away from a Shawn Z show unsatisfied. Shawn plays long sets, takes short breaks, tells tall tales, and leaves everyone feeling good about themselves. What more is there than that?”

I leave you with this humorous vision… Ron and Shawn as Wayne and Garth -

Wayne: Well, that’s all the time we had for the interview. We hope you found it entertaining, whimsical and yet relevant, with an underlying revisionist conceit that bullied the articles emotional attachments to the subject matter.
Garth: I just hoped they didn’t think it sucked.

Wayne: Party on, Garth!

Garth: Party on, Wayne!

For bookings email:
Shawn@shawn-z.com

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