The Red Sneaker Diaries →{India Shawn} @hernameisEL
#153 ↔ Magic After The Drum-Roll
In the last year or so I have been introduced to a number of talented musicians from various musical genres. Some of which I like, some I loathe and some I love. The young lady being mentioned in this article is an amazing singer/songwriter from Atlanta by way of the City of Angels. And for the record, I dig her music. I’ve seen India Shawn perform a number of times around Atlanta and highly recommend her shows. She has a genuine quality about her, an energy that says, “I just wrote down what I was feeling.” I won’t say that manufactured images and personae aren’t appealing or entertaining, but every now and again it is nice to find a talented person who is comfortable in their own skin.
I hate being boxed in. That was the cause of a lot of internal conflict for me, so I stay away from words like genre and category. Those are bad words. Lol. Back in the day people just let the music speak for itself, and I want to bring that aspect back. -India Shawn
India Shawn is signed as a songwriter to Polow Da Don’s Zone 4 Inc. (Polow is a producer responsible for the careers of Rich Boy and Keri Hilson). Currently back in her home state of California, India is in the lab working on her debut album as well as new music for other artists. (Her resume already includes working with some heavy hitters like Dr. Dre. Where is that Detox album anyway?)
Not only is she a very talented artist, she is also a humble and enlightening individual. Her musical style and capability will be a refreshing addition to mainstream pop/soul/r&b/alternative music scene. We live outside of boxes around these parts. Of course, if I am posting about it, it means I believe in it. I support good music and good musicians.
If you’re up on India Shawn, then this post will serve as a collection of India Shawn’s awesomeness. If you are new to her work then this post will serve as an introduction (interview, media) to India Shawn’s awesomeness. It is a win-win situation and this guy thinks so too.
Check her out after the jump.
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Video ↔ {The Cure}
{City Of Angels /In My place}
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India Shawn ↔ {The Interview}
Introduce yourself.
My name is India Shawn, but I’ve been known to go by India Not Arie on occasion 
. Born and raised in Southern California. If home is where the heart is, then my heart is definitely torn between ATL and LA.
How would you categorize style of music?
GOOD music! I hate being boxed in. That was the cause of a lot of internal conflict for me, so I stay away from words like genre and category. Those are bad words. Lol. Back in the day people just let the music speak for itself, and I want to bring that aspect back.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Donny Hathaway, [and] Marvin Gaye for their messages. Beyonce, MJ, and Prince as overall entertainers. Brandy, Lalah Hathaway, and Lizz Wright for vocal quality.
What new music are you into right now?
Oren Lavie! He’s an absolute genius. I love Kenna! I love Janelle Monáe. I’m a big Paramore fan.
Talk about your writing team who are the members and how did you all come together?
Welp, there’s Jazmyn, who’s my older sister, Kesia who is an incredible singer/songwriter, we met at GSU, and then there’s lil ol’ me. Kesia had written me on MySpace long before I’d met her, so it was all a big coincidence. When I finally recognized her and learned how talented she was, we all started to write in my dorm room. That’s how it all began.
Speaking of your team, do they help you write your personal music? How does your songs come together?
Yep, they do. Whether writing to a track or an instrument we all kind of just sit around, come up with melodies, and bounce ideas off of each other. And then (enter drum-roll here) … MAGIC!
What is your favorite work of yours to date?
That’s hard to answer… I haven’t loved anything enough yet, but if I had to say… I’d choose a song called “Benjamin” because it’s just different from everything else. I love its double meaning and just the simplicity of it. I believe it has huge potential.
What producers have you worked with?
Well, I’m signed to Zone 4/Universal as a writer so of course Polow Da Don. I’ve also worked with Harvey Mason Jr., Maddscientist, Dr. Dre, Damon Thomas, and many others. On the artist side I’ve worked with lots of incredible local producers; Reign, Jimi Cravity, Soundz, Hit-Boy, The Fisticuffs, Duval… and others.
Dead or alive what musicians/artists would you like to work with?
John Mayer, Lauryn Hill, Donny Hathaway, [and] Stevie Wonder.
What is your label situation? Do want to be picked up by a major or go indie all the way to the album?
I’d like the support and the resources that major labels have to offer. That’s definitely not out of the question, but obviously we live in a time where u can do it yourself. I don’t have a clear plan at this point… just working on the most important thing right now, which of course is the music.
Have you had any mixtapes or EPs released in the past?
No! Lol I’m almost anti-mixtape.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently writing for other artists and beginning my album.
Up next: What’s on the horizon of your music career?
An album! It’s been a long time coming, but I feel comfortable and very optimistic about getting a phenomenal, cohesive album completed.
Looking back what do you feel was the biggest turning point in your career?
I honestly feel like I’m at the biggest turning point. I’ve been doing this since I was 16! I’m 22 now. I’m old. Lol j/k, but I definitely am older and wiser and smarter and most importantly more sure of who I am and how I want to be represented. I’ve been through some things, you know? I have something to say now.
I am a firm believer that you should thank people and tell them you love them while they can still appreciate it. Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for believing in you?
Well I’d like to acknowledge anyone who’s ever spoken a word of positivity or encouragement into my life.
What mark do you want to leave on the world?
I’d like to create a path for others like myself who want to be successful without having to conform or compromise. I want to open up people’s minds to see that they can be the FIRST to do something rather than just another person following a formula.
How can fans and future fans gain access to your music?
Click for India Shawn's Myspace
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Click for India Shawn's Twitter
Click for India Shawn's Facebook
Any last words?
Drop out! Lol… J/K
e you’re from, where you call home.
My name is India Shawn, but i’ve been known to go by India Not Arie on occasion
Born and raised in Southern California
If home is where the heart is, then my heart is definitely torn between Atl and LA.
2. How would you categorize style of music?
GOOD music! I hate being boxed in. That was the cause of a lot of internal conflict for me, so I stay away from words like genre and category. Those are bad words lol. Back in the day people just let the music speak for itself, and I wanna bring that aspect back.
3. Who are your musical inspirations?
Bob Marley, Lauryn Hill, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye for their messages. Beyonce, MJ, and prince as overall entertainers. Brandy, Lalah Hathaway, and Lizz Wright for vocal quality.
4. What new music are you into right now? Oren Lavie! He’s an absolute genius. I love Kenna! I love Janelle Monae. I’m a big Paramore fan.
5. Talk about your writing team who are the members and how did you all come together?
Welp there’s Jazmyn who’s my older sister, Kesia who is an incredible singer/songwriter we met at GSU, and then there’s lil ol’ me. Kesia had written me on myspace long before I’d met her, so it was all a big coincidence. When I finally recognized her and learned how talented she was, we all started to write in my dorm room. That’s how it all began.
6. Speaking of your team, do they help you write your personal music? How do your songs come together?
Yep, they do. Whether writing to a track or an instrument we all kinda just sit around, come up with melodies, and bounce ideas off of each other. And then (enter drumroll here) .. MAGIC!
7. What is your favorite work of yours to date? That’s hard to answer.. I haven’t loved anything enough yet, but if I had to saaaayy.. I’d choose a song called ‘benjamin’ because it’s just different from everything else. I love its double meaning and just the simplicity of it. I believe it has huge potential.
8. What producers have you worked with? Well I’m signed to zone 4/universal as a writer so of course Polow da Don. I’ve also worked with Harvey Mason Jr., Maddscientist, Dr. Dre, Damon Thomas, and many others. On the artist side I’ve worked with lots of incredible local producers; Reign, Jimi Cravity, Soundz, Hit-Boy, The Fisticuffs, Duval.. and others.
9. Dead or alive what musicians/artists would you like to work with? John Mayer, Lauryn Hill, Donny Hathaway, Stevie wonder
10. What is your label situation? Do want to be picked up by a major or go indie all the way to the album?
I’d like the support and the resources that major labels have to offer. That’s definitely not out of the question, but obviously we live in a time where u can do it yourself. I don’t have a clear plan at this point.. Just working on the most important thing right now, which of course is the music.
11. Have you had any mixtapes or EPs released in the past?
No! Lol I’m almost anti-mixtape.
12. What are you currently working on?
I’m currently writing for other artists and beginning my album.
13. Up next: What’s on the horizon of your music career?
An album! It’s been a long time coming, but I feel comfortable and very optimistic about getting a phenomenal, cohesive album completed. I’m also going to be featured on Sean Kingston’s first single, which will be out this summer! Uber excited about it. It’ll be the first time I hear my voice on radio.
14. Looking back what do you feel was the biggest turning point in your career?
I honestly feel like I’m at the biggest turning point. I’ve been doing this since I was 16! I’m 22 now. I’m old. Lol j/k , but I definitely am oldER and wiser and smarter and most importantly more sure of who I am and how I want to be represented. I’ve been through some things, ya know? I have something to say now.
15. I am a firm believer that you should thank people and tell them you love them while they can still appreciate it. Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for believing in you?
Well i’d like to acknowledge anyone who’s ever spoken a word of positivity or encouragment into my life.
16. What mark do you want to leave on the world?
I’d like to create a path for others like myself who want to be successful without having to conform or compromise. I want to open up people’s minds to see that they can be the FIRST to do something rather than just another person following a formula.
17. How can fans and future fans gain access to your music?
Myspace.com/indiasb
YouTube.com/indiashawn
18. Any last words?
Drop out! Lol …… J/K
- Introduce yourself.
Name, where you’re from, where you call home.
- How would you categorize style of music?
- Who are your musical inspirations?
- What new music are you into right now?
- Talk about your writing team who are the members and how did you all come together?
- Speaking of your team, do they help you write your personal music? How do your songs come together?
- What is your favorite work of yours to date?
- What producers have you worked with?
- Dead or alive what musicians/artists would you like to work with?
- What is your label situation? Do want to be picked up by a major or go indie all the way to the album?
- Have you had any mixtapes or EPs released in the past?
- What are you currently working on?
- Up next: What’s on the horizon of your music career?
- Looking back what do you feel was the biggest turning point in your career?
- I am a firm believer that you should thank people and tell them you love them while they can still appreciate it. Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for believing in you?
- What mark do you want to leave on the world?
- How can fans and future fans gain access to your music?
- Any last words?
Again I am excited, amazed, and Godly proud of you. So much like your mother in your thinking and profoundness and talent. I love you and I, like you, know you can be the first to do and not just follow. That’s been my song for decades. Thank you India…..IT IS SO!
Again I am excited, amazed, and Godly proud of you. So much like your mother in your thinking and profoundness and talent. I love you and I, like you, know one can be first to do and be successful and not just follow…..without compromise….based on the excellence you produce! That’s been my song for decades. Thank you India…..IT IS SO!