INTERVIEW: Kennedy Shaw
Kennedy Shaw's music is a perfectly balanced confection of earnestness and acidity. In our interview, Shaw reflects on small victories, her musical influences, and how rock'n'roll literally saved her life.
Kennedy Shaw's teasing blend of indie pop and country made her EP With Love, From New Jersey a perfectly balanced confection of earnestness and acidity. Having made her mark on the New Jersey and Philadelphia music scenes in her late teens, her new song "High Note" finds Shaw examining her accomplishments so far.
Shaw explains, “I wrote ‘High Note’ on the floor of my new house, looking back on a past life. I was relieved at where life had taken me, but still felt the echo of how love can uproot us. In short, the song is about remembering love in its purest form, grieving its loss, and learning to carry the melody forward anyway.”
In our interview, Shaw reflects on small victories, her musical influences, and how rock'n'roll literally saved her life.
What's the first concert you ever attended? What do you remember about it?
The first concert I ever attended was a Valentine’s Day show circa 2014, when I saw Sleeping With Sirens and Pierce The Veil at The Electric Factory. I remember everything about it – VIVIDLY. I remember people smoking weed around me, the women’s bathroom line, but thehighlight was being nearly trampled in the mosh pit, that Vic Fuentes broke up. He saved my life, if you think about it.
Who would you love to collaborate with? why?
The first person that comes to mind is Grace Gardner. We’ve been mutual for a while, and I just love driving to her music, I feel like we’re already friends because I hear her voice so much.
Who are some of your musical influences?
Daphne Ellen, Julia Pratt, Sarah of Molly Ringworm, and Aubrey of Later Bloom are some of my friends that have all inspired my latest single, "High Note." I’m currently really loving Jackie Evans and Cameron Winter, and listening to their songs have been a huge help in writing my current project.
What do you think you could do to make your music or shows more accessible to a more diverse audience?
This is a great question. I think there’s a real economic crisis in America right now, and it’s stopping people from going to shows. Centering on shows that are low cost, or even free entry, is important to me.
Where are some places you’ve found joy within the country/Americana world?
This is a small victory, but a few years ago I attended an all- inclusive rooftop square dance in Philly. Still one of my favorite nights ever. It’s the small things that have always kept me thankful for how country music brings people together.
