Courtesy Photo
Shawn James and The Shapeshifters recently announced their new album, “The Gospel According to Shawn James,” with artwork for the album by Polish artist Karol Bak. James said the new sound of the album will include more rock n’ roll riff elements in it than previous records.
Up until now, Shawn James always sold his music at a “pay what you want” price point. While the free exposure has helped him and The Shapeshifters out tremendously with somewhere around 30,000 downloads, only about 10 percent of those were paid for.
So, with the new album, The Gospel According to Shawn James and The Shapeshifters, on the horizon James decided it was time to ask for a favor from his fans in a video — mafia style. In order to do the production of the recording for the album right, he turned to crowdfunding to request $10,000.
In his Kickstarter video, he and the Shapeshifters are dressed in Italian suits and are all packing heat. After the “fan” greets the mafioso James and company, he lays out the deal. For every dollar amount contributed, the band will reward the donor with stickers, CDs, t-shirts, patches, vinyl records, pogo lessons, handwritten lyrics, a home cooked meal, or even a personal house party concert depending on how much is donated.
At the end of the lighthearted video, the entire group shoots the shit out of Baker’s nemesis mandolin, which the band’s mandolinist had nothing but problems with. He keeps the bullet-riddled instrument on display at his house now.
“Making that video was some of the most fun we’ve ever had,” James said. “It’s just us. Our previous stuff has a pretty serious tone about them. But, if you know us — my band and I — we are not that way whatsoever. This video kind of set the tone for us this year and the new album.”
The band is currently at $7,900 (at the time this article was written), with 100 backers. The deadline is coming up quick on Sunday, March 1 at 7 p.m. If the goal is met, the plan is for $5,000 to go into getting a top notch studio recording and enlisting a professional sound mastering engineer in New York. The other $5,000 will be spent on the various merchandise that is owed to the backers. As for touring, the band will continue making it work without the Kickstarter money.
“I’ve always had confidence that this could work. We’ve got a pretty good fan base around the U.S. and Europe,” James said. “I’m weary about looking like we’re just asking for money. I’m a hard worker, and I like being that way. So essentially, this Kickstarter is just a preorder. If you put down any dollar amount you’re getting something equal to that amount.”
The new album is described by James as “party rock n’ roll, bluesy, riff driven stuff.” This will make for a new sonic endeavor for the band, which previously had been gritty, aggressive, swampy blues or soft and soulful in his acoustic work.
The band recently performed the new album for the first time on Valentine’s Day at Smoke and Barrel.
“The Smoke and barrel show was incredible,” James said. “We had people from Iowa, and at least 10 different people who drove five plus hours to get there. It was packed, it awesome and it was a damn good time.”
Those interested in contributing to the band’s Kickstarter should go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/shawnjamesmusic/the-gospel-according-to-shawn-james-and-the-shapes.
James also recently announced that he has been invited to do an acoustic showcase at this year’s South by Southwest Showcase in Austin, Texas. You can catch Shawn James and the Shapeshifters in town at Nomad’s Music Lounge with He is Legend March 19.
