Entertainment

The Versatile Singer SHAUN Talks Music, Industry Expectations, and More

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Attaining over a billion streams is one thing that many artists would possibly understand as unattainable, however South Korean soloist SHAUN has not solely hit that milestone – however a complete of 4 occasions that quantity (up to now). Tackling the scope of varied types of artwork, SHAUN now formally wears many hats as a singer-songwriter, DJ, and producer, with hundreds of thousands of dependable followers and business information relationship again to his introduction in 2010. 

On his street to private {and professional} successes, SHAUN has been deemed because the most-streamed male artist in Ok-pop for 2 (2019-2020), setting him up for a future with bountiful, chart-worthy content material. In 2018, the singer’s profession quickly accelerated his involvement within the business, inserting him at No. 1 on Gaon for his single “Method Again House” and opening the door for much more distinctive alternatives. Considered one of which, included an official remix with Ed Sheeran on “Unhealthy Habits [SHAUN Remix]” the next 12 months, thus sustaining his music on Gaon’s notable Prime 20 releases. On the at all times rising Spotify platform alone, SHAUN has presently garnered over 3 million month-to-month listeners to his music, protecting his numbers excessive and his expertise enormously appreciated.

Since he’s now confirmed his fixed adaptability and artistry, SHAUN was in a position to take a beat for himself, earlier than releasing his two-track EP #0055b7 with one track that includes fellow famous person soloist (and up to date Suran collaborator) Wonstein. On the heels of his earlier launch and forward of 2022, we spoke to SHAUN about his promising inventive course of, and his main business strikes main as much as #0055b7. 

Picture Credit score: 285, Warner Music Korea

You’ve garnered a whole lot of expertise in several platforms as a DJ, producer, singer-songwriter, and extra – did you at all times have such a spread of musical aspirations?

SHAUN: Since childhood, I’ve been doing music very naturally and constantly. I began my profession as a participant (devices) first, at all times completely satisfied listening to music, however I found that the very best factor about it was making new music. After I grew to become interested by making music, enjoying and listening grew to become all issues that lead me to make the music. DJ, Producer, Singer-Songwriter, and Guitarist all have completely different names however may be thought of all on the identical web page, so in that respect, I feel my journey up to now was crucial for me to be the place I’m as we speak. I’m not certain what sort of function I’ll have and my work sooner or later, however one factor is for certain, it’s actually enjoyable to create one thing new.

In terms of inspiration for a track that you just’re solely answerable for – what do you assume is a recurring start line for you? (a beat, melody, and so on.) 

SHAUN: My expertise and every part that surrounds me is a superb topic for inspiration, once I chat with somebody and even watching motion pictures generally evokes me. The purpose the place I start my work varies as effectively. Generally I file a melody that involves thoughts and reserve it as it’s, or I work on the beat first after which add different devices to develop the track. There are additionally songs that I wrote that I barely remembered the melody as a result of I heard it in my dream. It’s fairly powerful to say basic factors the place I begin engaged on music, there are such a lot of completely different beginnings and developments however it’s the inspiration that at all times surrounds me.

You’ve turn out to be one of the vital revered and well-rounded soloists in Asia, which is not any straightforward achievement! What would you say was a second while you realized that your profession had gone from working in direction of establishing your self – to really feeling such as you reached this thrilling evolution? 

SHAUN: My journey at all times went past the route I had envisioned and took me to an surprising place, however I’ve very a lot so loved the journey up to now. I by no means wished to be a singer that everybody is aware of. Nevertheless, I have a look at it like I’ve been doing issues that musicians do like practising, discovering new music, and making new music.

For me, ‘success’ is one thing that I can really feel from the angle of others. I imagine it’s an excellent factor for many individuals to recollect my music and take note of my strikes, however I proceed to make the music I wish to make, specific, and create it freely. To have the ability to do that, you will need to begin making one thing and end one thing each day. For me, ‘success’ just isn’t a grandiose factor. It’s my success to create the bass sound I wished to make or to finish a favourite track with a superb melody I used to be or am engaged on. If it’s successful to make some huge cash, turn out to be an individual everybody is aware of, and be beloved quite a bit, I can’t even think about the vacancy I’ll really feel once I obtain all of it. 

For me, If the music is well-known and I made some huge cash, the cash is a chance for me to work on different initiatives. For those who’ve turn out to be an individual everybody on the streets is aware of, it’s a superb alternative to introduce the subsequent work. There may be a lot music that I wish to make sooner or later, I’m intoxicated with the sense of victory that overcomes me when I’ve executed one thing. I’m creating one thing new each day. Subsequently, I’m profitable each day.

Picture Credit score: 285, Warner Music Korea

You’ve additionally turn out to be one of many most-streamed male Ok-pop soloists in recent times and I’m certain that has to really feel like a pleasant added bonus to your checklist of accomplishments! With music consumption drastically altering (streaming, Tik Tok, and so on.) do you imagine that to be an necessary issue for artists to contemplate?

SHAUN: I feel numbers and platforms are issues to consider after the music is made. A very powerful factor is what the music means to the creator himself. The music business has been supplying music to folks in varied methods for a few years now. I feel streaming platforms and TikTok are merely a medium of supply and advertising for musicians. I feel there might be nothing extra unlucky than if you happen to make a success track to solely see good outcomes on TikTok. What the artist ought to take note of is observing how folks round them reside on this world. In terms of me and making music, I like to focus on what I really feel and wish to specific on this world.

In fact, I’ve a really constructive concept that such streaming companies and SNS enable me to satisfy and join with many new those who I’d by no means have earlier than. Nevertheless, if I attempt to solely give attention to part of the world the place such adjustments are very quick, I feel I’d must be cautious as a result of it might probably shake my heart. That being stated, I wish to meet many individuals by creating good TikTok content material as a lot as I can. I don’t understand how effectively I can do on social media, however I’m at all times completely satisfied to satisfy new folks in new methods.

Your releases earlier within the 12 months had a pleasant steadiness of genres! The monitor “Blue (feat. Wonstein)” has an edgier rock sound that actually looks like a brand new thrilling area for you! Would you say this was extra of an experimental second – or one thing you’d be interested by returning to?  

SHAUN: First, I knew I wished to make the track quite simple and groovy. I began with the concept folks would be capable to benefit from the vibes and thought will probably be good if it was a brief track that lasts about 2 minutes as an alternative of a large-scale association. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to satisfy Wonstein via a superb relationship and was in a position to attain out for a function. The few regrets I’ve whereas engaged on this was that it was a extreme pandemic interval on the time of the work, so we accomplished the music by exchanging opinions over the wire and I really feel like I used to be not versatile sufficient to guide the method in a extra attention-grabbing and enjoyable approach since I used to be not conversant in collaboration on this approach. Nevertheless, I used to be glad that Wonstein confirmed a fantastic efficiency together with his coloration and let me full the track in varied methods.

Then there’s “Closed Ending” and it presents a candy, delicate facet of your id as an artist! What had been your preliminary hope/targets for that specific track?

The inventive methodology that ‘I’ll make an identical monitor to “Method Again House” as a result of it acquired a superb response’ was not in step with my values. Nevertheless, I considered everybody who helped me undergo tough occasions and picture after they listened to “Closed Ending” it’s the track that reached out to these folks and make them really feel that I’m saying, ‘Thanks then, I’m doing effectively.’ by comparable feeling with “Method Again House”. I feel there are nonetheless many issues I can present with candy and delicate emotions as my id. I hope to greet many listeners with extra varied tracks subsequent 12 months!

In fact, there are some actually unbelievable distinctive EDM tracks in your discography as effectively (like my private favorites “Nocturnal”, or “Unhealthy Habits”) can followers count on extra of that type sooner or later? 

SHAUN: In fact! I’ll proceed my actions as a DJ together with as a singer-songwriter, so I preserve making tracks that I can play on stage as a DJ. I’ve labored on a whole lot of tracks currently and count on to satisfy everybody on stage with new tracks subsequent 12 months. You’ll be able to look ahead to it – I actually like “Nocturnal” and “Unhealthy Habits” too!

Picture Credit score: 285, Warner Music Korea

What are you able to inform us about any potential upcoming initiatives that you just’re enthusiastic about?

SHAUN: Just lately, I efficiently accomplished the journey of getting many songwriting periods in LA. The good climate and good vibes made it so great to work with large writers and producers. I met so many good folks and had good relationships whereas I used to be on the market. The journey positively made me determine to journey rather more usually from place to put to satisfy the world and make music with many new folks. In fact, there are a lot of plans for subsequent 12 months. The collaboration monitor that I labored on in LA can even be launched, and I’m additionally planning for on-line performances. 

I hope you possibly can keep watch over my Instagram (@shaunthehuman) and preserve an eye fixed out for my upcoming plans for subsequent 12 months! The previous two years have been actually long and hard for everybody, however I imagine will probably be higher quickly. I hope everybody stays wholesome and completely satisfied till the day I come to you with my new music.

Take a look at SHAUN’s Spotify web page here to stream his timeless hits and promising future content material!

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