Interview
with Shane Morkin
with Shane Morkin
Gaby:
Music
has many new fans throughout Europe, they may hear about you for the
first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you make,
to someone who has never seen, or heard about you?
has many new fans throughout Europe, they may hear about you for the
first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you make,
to someone who has never seen, or heard about you?
Shane:
I
am basically a sing-song writer who has a story to tell. Depending of
which feelings will suit the story I write a melody which often have
a catchy tune. Some melodies turns out to be country, some to pop,
some to ballads and some as jazz etc. In common I try to ‘dress’ my
music with a touch of retro and with the song as the central part and
the instruments for the support of the song.
am basically a sing-song writer who has a story to tell. Depending of
which feelings will suit the story I write a melody which often have
a catchy tune. Some melodies turns out to be country, some to pop,
some to ballads and some as jazz etc. In common I try to ‘dress’ my
music with a touch of retro and with the song as the central part and
the instruments for the support of the song.
Gaby:
How
has been the last year for you? What are the highlights?
has been the last year for you? What are the highlights?
Shane:
I
ended up as No 4 in the Hard Rock rising competition in Copenhagen,
two years ago, where I realized that maybe I should let my friends
convince me to start recording my music.
ended up as No 4 in the Hard Rock rising competition in Copenhagen,
two years ago, where I realized that maybe I should let my friends
convince me to start recording my music.
Gaby:
What
is the name of your latest CD and how does it sell?
is the name of your latest CD and how does it sell?
Shane:
It
was a single with the title ‘Shane Morkin’ with 2 tracks on it, which
only was used for promotion. It contained an early recording of the
song Crazy ’bout You (can only be found on Reverbnation) and the song
Jealousy. On my new album I have made a brand new recording of the
song Crazy ’bout You, which in my opinion is better than the old
one.
was a single with the title ‘Shane Morkin’ with 2 tracks on it, which
only was used for promotion. It contained an early recording of the
song Crazy ’bout You (can only be found on Reverbnation) and the song
Jealousy. On my new album I have made a brand new recording of the
song Crazy ’bout You, which in my opinion is better than the old
one.
Gaby:
What
made you choose that title for the CD? Is there a story behind
this?
made you choose that title for the CD? Is there a story behind
this?
Shane:
Crazy
’bout You is a story about some friends who fall in love with each
other and one month later they did separate. One week later they were
together again. That’s not unusual, but in their case this pattern
continued for almost 10 years before they realized that they was like
a dog and a cat – attracted by each other, but to be united was
impossible. In the same way I have been dancing around the decision
of recording my music the last 10 years and finally after a lot of
pushing from some friends, I made the decision to record the CD.
’bout You is a story about some friends who fall in love with each
other and one month later they did separate. One week later they were
together again. That’s not unusual, but in their case this pattern
continued for almost 10 years before they realized that they was like
a dog and a cat – attracted by each other, but to be united was
impossible. In the same way I have been dancing around the decision
of recording my music the last 10 years and finally after a lot of
pushing from some friends, I made the decision to record the CD.
Gaby:
Do
you write the songs by yourself? If not, how do you manage to find
the perfect songs for your CD?
you write the songs by yourself? If not, how do you manage to find
the perfect songs for your CD?
Shane:
All
my songs are based on a true story I have been a part of somehow
either by being involved or because some friends have share a
personal story. So I write approximately 2 new songs by myself every
month and has been doing this for several years, and do have a big
box just waiting for what should happen. So for me, the perfect song
has a true story and a tune which supports the story and is able to
touch your senses.
my songs are based on a true story I have been a part of somehow
either by being involved or because some friends have share a
personal story. So I write approximately 2 new songs by myself every
month and has been doing this for several years, and do have a big
box just waiting for what should happen. So for me, the perfect song
has a true story and a tune which supports the story and is able to
touch your senses.
Gaby:
How
does your next single look like?
does your next single look like?
Shane:
About
October this year I will release a brand new Christmas single, which
will be followed up by a new CD at the end of the year.
October this year I will release a brand new Christmas single, which
will be followed up by a new CD at the end of the year.
Gaby:
What
is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what
is the story behind?
is your favorite song among all the songs you have recorded and what
is the story behind?
Shane:
They
are heart blood, so that is a difficult question. But a candidate
could be ‘One More Time’ which are based on a story from a friend of
mine, who is born in Denmark, but went to US with is parents when he
has 6 years old. 40 years later he decided that he wanted to go back
to his birth country. His father who was turned 80 years and still
living in San Francisco came to visit him one day. The last day
before returning home he said; ‘Come here boy and give me a big hug,
because this is maybe the last time we see are together’ – knowing
he was too old to travel again and his son couldn’t afford to come
and visit his parents. So a song about saying goodbye, and wishing
that they could stay together.
are heart blood, so that is a difficult question. But a candidate
could be ‘One More Time’ which are based on a story from a friend of
mine, who is born in Denmark, but went to US with is parents when he
has 6 years old. 40 years later he decided that he wanted to go back
to his birth country. His father who was turned 80 years and still
living in San Francisco came to visit him one day. The last day
before returning home he said; ‘Come here boy and give me a big hug,
because this is maybe the last time we see are together’ – knowing
he was too old to travel again and his son couldn’t afford to come
and visit his parents. So a song about saying goodbye, and wishing
that they could stay together.
Gaby:
How
much creative control do you have about your music?
much creative control do you have about your music?
Shane:
100%
Gaby:
Do
you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by
your music?
you have any interesting stories about how fans have been affected by
your music?
Shane:
When
I tell the story behind ‘Waiting for You’, I have seen several who
had started crying. The story is based on a young man I know, who was
one of the first soldiers in Denmark send to the war in the former
republic Yugoslavia. When he returned nobody had ever heard about
post traumatic stress, so for that young man, his life turned out to
be very difficult and the only thing which helped him was those real
friends who had been there all the time just waiting him.
I tell the story behind ‘Waiting for You’, I have seen several who
had started crying. The story is based on a young man I know, who was
one of the first soldiers in Denmark send to the war in the former
republic Yugoslavia. When he returned nobody had ever heard about
post traumatic stress, so for that young man, his life turned out to
be very difficult and the only thing which helped him was those real
friends who had been there all the time just waiting him.
Gaby:
As
an artist, you so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews.
What do you like most, what is your favorite activity?
an artist, you so many tasks such as recording, touring, interviews.
What do you like most, what is your favorite activity?
Shane:
My
favorite task is when I’m in direct contact with an audience and to
get a feedback to my music.
favorite task is when I’m in direct contact with an audience and to
get a feedback to my music.
Gaby:
Are
you doing anything to take music beyond his current borders or are
you happy how it is?
you doing anything to take music beyond his current borders or are
you happy how it is?
Shane:
For
me I’m still trying to make the perfect song without knowing how it
looks like. So in that way I’m trying to push my own borders without
knowing what it will lead to.
me I’m still trying to make the perfect song without knowing how it
looks like. So in that way I’m trying to push my own borders without
knowing what it will lead to.
Gaby:
What inspired you to become a songwriter?
What inspired you to become a songwriter?
Shane:
I
my childhood my parent always told me when I told that I was bored,
that if I didn’t know what to do, then make your own story, make a
song, do something. So in an age of 7-8 years I wrote my first song –
very childish, but still it was my first song and I have been writing
since then.
my childhood my parent always told me when I told that I was bored,
that if I didn’t know what to do, then make your own story, make a
song, do something. So in an age of 7-8 years I wrote my first song –
very childish, but still it was my first song and I have been writing
since then.
Gaby:
What
is the motor that keeps you going?
is the motor that keeps you going?
Shane:
I
believe in positive thinking. For me a no mean that I have to find
another way. And if you can’t change a thing, then either leave it
behind or learn to live with it. I believe that if you start to focus
on the negative things then it can easily attract other negative
things and in that way keep your focus in the wrong direction.
believe in positive thinking. For me a no mean that I have to find
another way. And if you can’t change a thing, then either leave it
behind or learn to live with it. I believe that if you start to focus
on the negative things then it can easily attract other negative
things and in that way keep your focus in the wrong direction.
Gaby:
Any
thought of retirement ahead?
thought of retirement ahead?
Shane:
I
have a cowboy hidden in my heart. As long as I can ride on a horse, I
will ride.
have a cowboy hidden in my heart. As long as I can ride on a horse, I
will ride.
Gaby:
Many
music fans today get their information about artists online. Do you
have your own website and what would your fans see there?
music fans today get their information about artists online. Do you
have your own website and what would your fans see there?
Shane:
Right
now I have decided only to have a FB fan site. And on a social media
like FB everybody can contact you, which are good, but time
consuming. Yesterday I receive a private message from a young man in
Uganda, who told me that he admired that music I had made and he
would pray to god to let people know about my music and of course
wanted to know a little bit more about me. I really don’t know how he
did find me, but a direct contact with fans requires a feedback which
they can expect to get.
now I have decided only to have a FB fan site. And on a social media
like FB everybody can contact you, which are good, but time
consuming. Yesterday I receive a private message from a young man in
Uganda, who told me that he admired that music I had made and he
would pray to god to let people know about my music and of course
wanted to know a little bit more about me. I really don’t know how he
did find me, but a direct contact with fans requires a feedback which
they can expect to get.
Gaby:
What
was your favorite song, that you wished you had recorded?
was your favorite song, that you wished you had recorded?
Shane:
When
I warm up my voice I sing the song ‘Unchained Melody’ (from Ghost)
which is one of those songs I wish I had written.
I warm up my voice I sing the song ‘Unchained Melody’ (from Ghost)
which is one of those songs I wish I had written.
Gaby:
Thank
you very much for the time you spared to answer these questions.
you very much for the time you spared to answer these questions.
If
anybody want to know more about Shane Morkin look at
anybody want to know more about Shane Morkin look at
And
listen to his album at
listen to his album at
https://itunes.apple.com/en/album/crazy-bout-you/id756798105?l=en or https://play.spotify.com/album/2SUQtHFtlcPXkmq6MMptOB
Gaby
Agrikola for Country Music News International
Agrikola for Country Music News International