Published: March 25, 2008 10:54 PM EST
By: Isaac Joseph Davis Junior (Juniorscave.com)
Shawn Thomas
As a Contemporary Christian singer, Shawn Thomas is making music that has a special meaning to today’s Christians. We caught up with the young musician as he was more than happy to share his love of our Lord in Savior and Christian music with Junior’s Cave.
Isaac-Joseph: Briefly describe how you entered into the gospel music industry.
Shawn Thomas: Actually, I was very resistant to singing and writing Christian music. In the early 90's, I recorded a few secular projects, and had included a couple of tracks that were more of a gospel feel. Those tracks seemed to get the most reaction, and people were encouraging me, saying "oh, you should think about going into Contemporary Christian music." But, I really wasn't familiar with contemporary style worship music, and so to me, Christian music was like hymns and classical style -- and I didn't want to do that. It wasn't until I heard artists like Steven Curtis Chapman and Bryan Duncan that I found out what people were talking about with "contemporary" Christian music. It opened up a whole new world for me. In 2003 I recorded my first "spiritually" themed CD, and to be honest, I had no idea what to do with it -- but little by little, I started traveling to churches and singing, and experiencing music and worship in a way I never had before. From there the music ministry has just grown and grown and I'm very grateful for the support and love I've received from the churches and organizations who have been there for me.
Isaac-Joseph: What is your inspiration for getting into doing gospel music?
Shawn Thomas: My dad is a retired pastor, so I grew up with church and God being a part of my life. I'm grateful for that. When I started singing Christian and spiritual lyrics, it was the most natural thing I'd ever done in music. I would never go back to just secular music -- not that I don't love a lot of pop and rock music -- I do! But, as far as my own music and writing, I'll always have my faith included in what I do musically.
Isaac-Joseph: As an openly gay Christian, how have your fans reacted to your music?
Shawn Thomas: It’s a mix. If I'm singing at a pride event or a venue that's not a church, then sometimes at first people are resistant. Obviously, a lot of people in the GLBT community have experienced some form of abuse from the church, and so it’s natural for their guard to be up and for them to be skeptical. Also, sometimes straight Christians will hear some of my music not knowing that I'm gay, and then when they find out -- well, I've had a wide spectrum of reactions -- but sometimes its an opportunity to share God's grace and love for ALL of God's children. On the other side of the coin, visiting gay-affirming churches is always a wonderful experience, filled with affirmation and support and encouragement. The community of faith within the GLBT community is growing, and I'm excited about the ministry that's taking place.
Isaac-Joseph: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
Shawn Thomas: I guess for me there are 3 stages. The first is in creating the song and discovering new ideas. The second is recording and arranging the song, and then hearing it competed for the first time. And the third is performing a song live and receiving the reaction and witnessing the message begins received.
Isaac-Joseph: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
Shawn Thomas: Hmmm, never had that question before... I have to admit I'm a bit of a control freak, and a lot of what I do, I do myself -- from writing to recording. So the hardest part for me is sending projects off to be duplicated and packaged -- cuz sometimes things go wrong, or shipments are late, and it drives me crazy not being able to do anything about it directly. It’s definitely a lesson in patience for me and a reminder to have faith that the message is in the music, not the package.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
Shawn Thomas: There's a quote I made on the CD jacket of my first spiritual CD, "Everything I Am". It says, "Music allows human beings to express those thoughts, ideas, and emotions which words alone fail to describe."
Isaac-Joseph: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through your head?
Shawn Thomas: I'm terrible at remembering words and lyrics!!! ha! The scariest thing to me is performing somewhere that they know my music. I look out and see people singing along, and I think, "oh man! They know the words! Please God; don't let me forget my own lyrics!" Other than that, it’s usually all a blur. Especially when singing at churches -- usually the energy and spirit of the congregation just carries me along with it, and before I know it, the concert's over and we're all hugging and talking and have a great time of fellowship.
Isaac-Joseph: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
Shawn Thomas: Love that question! :)
Look, who knows for sure how I would react given the opportunity for some kind of major label deal or representation -- but I do know that I am very happy doing what I'm doing now and that I am able to continue as an independent musician without the help of a label because of things like the Internet and computer technology that allow independent musicians to promote and record and sell their music on their own. It’s a lot of hard work and long hours, but there's a lot of satisfaction and freedom working independently, and for a community of creative people, that's a great thing. I've been recording and writing and performing as an independent artist for 20 years -- it would take a lot of "free reign" from a label at this point for me to consider signing up.
Isaac-Joseph: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
Shawn Thomas: Absolutely -- and from my point of view -- pretty much all for the better. I mean sure, there is file sharing and such going on, but it’s not like we weren't all making cassette copies before. To me, any opportunity to get music out there is a good one. If someone file-shares my music, then there's one more person who's heard it that I would have never reached on my own. I think sites like YouTube have also helped the independent artist a lot as well. Used to be there was really no point in having a music video unless you had some kind of major representation to get on one of the cable video channels. Now an independent artist can release his/her own videos on a lot of different sites. Not only that, now you don't even have to press a physical CD to release an collection of songs or an album. Just sell the whole project as a download or even the individual songs. Again, the Internet can help the independent artist immensely! Everything from MySpace to CDBaby to YouTube to iTunes and Rhapsody to... oh my gosh, the list is HUGE. The Internet is awesome! I love it!
Isaac-Joseph: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
Shawn Thomas: The sites that seem to work the best for me are sites that have some kind of community built into them as well -- like YouTube, MySpace -- some GBLT sites would be StoneWallSociety.com, theQTube.com, connexion.org, outoftheclosetstudios.com. I mean, there are tons of sites that say, "hey, come upload your songs on our site and well give you this cool page and everything!" -- but then no one knows it’s there. So you need a site where you can communicate with other people and then word can spread about your music. Some affirming Christian sites are: affirmingchristiannetwork.org, gaychristian.net, gaychurch.org -- there are a bunch more -- just do a Google search...
OH -- big help would be to sign up with CDBaby.com. Great site for everything from digital Internet distribution to handling credit card sales at concerts.
Isaac-Joseph: What kind of recording software do you use?
Shawn Thomas: I use ProTools LE/Digi002 -- just upgraded to their latest 7.4 version. Also, use several other software programs along with Protools for some mastering and looping -- but I've been an avid Protools fan and user since the beginning. I'm on Windows instead of Mac (I know, yuck!) – But, it’s just what I'm used to. The studio website has a complete list of equipment: www.shawnthomasstudios.com.
Isaac-Joseph: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your "dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
Shawn Thomas: Well my favorite writer/producer team would be Walter Afanasieff, Diane Warren, and Desmond Child. Anything I've ever seen these names on, I've loved. From the music they write to the quality of production -- amazing variety and spectrum of styles too, which I really like and I think shows a special kind of talent and ability.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
Shawn Thomas: I'm so happy in my life right now. It’s hard for me to imagine "gaining" anything more. I know that I will continue what I'm doing and trying my best to follow whatever path is in front of me. It has been, and continues to be, exciting for me to experience each year as it goes by and to see what develops the next year. I don't really plan my projects way in advance, so whatever I'm working on is usually very fresh and new to me, so it’s fun to release it and experience it with everyone else at the same time.
Isaac-Joseph: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2008?
Shawn Thomas: I'm in production right now to release a praise/worship CD. This CD will be a first for me, in that it’s not so much a solo project, because all of the music is written with the intention of being used in worship services. So the songs are created to be sung by others -- congregationally or as special music in services. The project will include in the release a CD with both album versions of the songs and accompaniment versions, as well as a songbook. I don't have a name for CD/project yet -- but it should come out this summer or early fall.
Isaac-Joseph: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
Shawn Thomas: Brian! - my partner - he's been the most amazing supportive person in my life in so many ways. Love you Bri! Two people that formed a foundation for me in the early years would be my first voice teacher, Caroline -- who taught be to sing naturally and not forced or artificially, and the first producer I ever worked with, Jeff -- who taught me more than I ever learned in school. I'm very grateful to both my "home" church in Little Rock, Open Door Community Church, and the church I currently work with in West Palm Beach, MCC of the Palm Beaches.
Isaac-Joseph: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
Shawn Thomas: Well, already plugged the new CD project coming out -- but,
in the meantime, my last CD was recently re-released as a double-disc that includes extra remixes and music videos. It’s called "Faith Unashamed" and is available at www.shawnthomasonline.com by clicking on "store".
I'm also looking forward to continuing to work with other independent artists through the recording studio from full projects to remixes (which I love to do!), to demos. There is so much talent out there, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to work with some of them, and for them to trust me to work with them on their musical creations.
Isaac-Joseph: Final Thoughts:
Shawn Thomas: Hey, I'm just thankful for the chance for the interview. Thank you for the opportunity! :) I guess I should do one more plug and list my websites!
