Just under a week after the release of her debut single “Ghosts”, Shannon Eastman shares where it all began – it being her musical career.
In her interview with Beyond The Stage, Eastman speaks on her passion for songwriting that only grew during quarantine. This later turned into her first released song, an EP in the near future (hopefully), and a band she’s in based out of Nashville, TN.
Read on to learn all about Shannon Eastman and her plans as a solo and band artist.
BTS: You grew up in a music space, participating in musicals, clubs, and choirs even throughout college, but what FIRST got you excited about music?
The first thing to get me stoked for music is basically the same as today. Ever since I was a child I felt like music was a safe place where I could be myself. I was so shy as a kid, but whenever music was around it was a place I could step out of my comfort zone. I adore how music makes you feel, there’s something for literally every mood.
BTS: Songwriting became a serious passion of yours during quarantine. Why is that? Was it an escape from all the crazy going on? Was it the time you had to focus on it?
Well, I was bored out of my mind as I am sure everyone can relate to, but I honestly was going through a really hard time in my life amongst all the COVID chaos. My boyfriend at the time was in a band, and I got inspired with how the band was able to convey their emotions in their own music. I, also, wanted to be able to express my feelings and all the hardships I had going on, and they were all really encouraging for me to do it! So, once I got started it was like word vomit. It became an outlet and I was hooked.
BTS: You previously shared that songwriting is “a way to express myself in ways I didn’t know I could.” Was it hard to open up yourself to this extra form of sharing or would you have previously characterized yourself as quite expressive?
Honestly, it was one the hardest things I had to go through. I have always been really bad at burying my feelings in the back of my head and hoping it will fade away. This was the first time I really started healing from all the past and present hardships I had going on in my life, and it hit me really hard. There were some nights where I would playback the song I had just written and start crying because it would always hit home.
BTS: Your debut single “Ghosts” dropped on Thanksgiving. What emotions flooded through you with its release? Were you excited? Nervous? Scared?
I was GEEKING OUT! It was always a dream of mine to put a song out, and the fact that it actually happened still blows my mind! However, I was still sweating like a sinner in church with all the emotions, but I am SO SO glad it’s out for the world to listen to!
BTS: “Ghosts” was inspired by a poem you read over the summer and was created to go with it. What poem was it that stayed with you and encouraged you to write the song?
So, this poem is actually one from a book called She Fits Inside These Words by r.h. Sin, Samantha King Holmes, and R.M. Drake. This specific poem is by r.h. Sin.
“Don’t tell me ghosts aren’t real when I can see you but you’re obviously no longer here.”
That short but sweet poem really stuck with me because, honestly, that’s how I was feeling in my life. I felt exactly how that poem described it in my past relationship, and I found myself always loving a little too hard or giving more than I ever got back. I was heartbroken for a really long time and this song became like an old yearbook filled with all my past heartbreaks. Rather it was a friend, ex, past fling, or family member; it became a way for me to heal from it all.
BTS: The single was written on the floor of your sister’s basement. Do you do a lot of writing there? Where is your musical getaway/creative space and why?
I LOVE THIS QUESTION! Oh my goodness, so when I first moved to Nashville in May, I wanted to save up a bunch of money and take my time with my next house search! I am so lucky to have all my family finally live in the same city, and I asked if I could live with them. The basement was sort of like a studio apartment, so that was my little home where I did all the things for 3 months. My creative space is everywhere, honestly; it can be in my room, my car, my couch, my work, wherever! I usually come up with a one-liner by getting inspired by the things I hear or see around me in everyday life. I will play with the idea in my head for a little and as soon as I get home to my guitar I am on a roll.
BTS: You said that “Ghosts” is a song you think many people can relate to and that “no matter how people resonate with the lyrics I think it can really help validate and solidify listeners’ healing process.” Was it written about your healing process from a personal experience?
Yes! I mentioned earlier, but I was absolutely heartbroken for awhile from my past relationship. Along with that, I was at a place where I felt I wasn’t getting the love
I was giving in some of my everyday relationships, as well. I realized I was constantly loving a little too much, and writing this song made me feel validated and helped me heal into a version of myself that I love.
BTS: Is your goal in music to create songs like “Ghosts” that resonate with people? Do you have a larger, overarching purpose?
Sort of! I want to create more songs like “Ghosts”, but I also want to put out some feel good songs, too! I want to reach out to all the people possible in the world and help them understand it’s okay to feel whatever you feel. One of my mottos is “never apologize for your feelings”. I want people to feel validated and loved when listening to my music. Doesn’t matter if you’re happy, sad, glad, or mad; whatever it may be, everyone deserves to be seen, heard, loved, and have a safe place. I hope my music can be like that for them!
BTS: You launched a Plaid Dog Recording crowdfunding campaign to record your debut EP recently. How is that going so far? What led you to Plaid Dog?
YES! It is going well so far, we are just over 50%, about halfway through! Everyone at Plaid Dog is so sweet and talented. I adore having the opportunity to work with them in Boston! Plaid Dog actually found my TikTok and reached out, we had a few meetings, and now here we are.
BTS: You’re also part of an Indie-Rock band from Nashville called 100% JUICE. What brought you all together? Did you previously know each other/work together?
So my best friend, Kristen Pike, and I had been thinking about making a band for awhile, but we were still kind of new to Nashville. We thought, OMG what could be better than Tinder?! We ended up putting “let’s start a band” in our bios, and about a week later, I had Eric reach out to me about him and his roommate Travis. It was just us four for awhile, but Kristen and I thought we needed a lead guitarist. We, once again, trusted the dating apps (Hinge this time, though), and we met our newest member Matt! We now are all the best of buds, and I am so lucky to get to play with such a talented group of people that I adore and love. I think big things may be coming soon!
BTS: What can we expect from you individually and 100% JUICE the rest of this year and into 2022? Should we prepare for another single?
If my Plaid Dog campaign is successful, I will be putting out an EP! Either way, I hope to be putting out a new single ASAP. Just know, things are coming! For 100% Juice we are starting to pick up the pace with gigs/shows around Nashville! We hope to play around the state and, eventually, the southeast – as long as it’s driveable, we will go! A single or two maybe in the works, but y’all will just have to wait and see.
BTS: What message do you want to leave readers with?
I want to thank EVERYONE for listening. I am so lucky to have people who want to listen to all the things I have got to say. Be sure to follow me for updates and more, check out 100% JUICE, and listen to “Ghosts” on all streaming platforms! Sending all my love to everyone reading/listening, and I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season!
With one single down and many more to come, there’s nowhere to go but up for Shannon Eastman. Beyond her vocal and songwriting ability, she is destined to reach the hearts of music lovers everywhere for her messages of healing, love, and just overall expressing yourself! If you’re looking for an artist to relate to, look no further because she is the perfect one for you.
Stream “Ghosts” here.
Follow Shannon Eastman on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Follow 100% JUICE on Instagram.
Subscribe to Beyond The Stage to keep up with other new artists like Shannon Eastman.
- 2023 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Lineups Ranked - September 29, 2023
- Staff Picks: Song of the Summer - June 21, 2023
- New Music Friday: September 16, 2022 - September 16, 2022
