Art-N-Shawna – Interview – Thanks for Asking!

Art-N-Shawna – Interview – Thanks for Asking! – by Liam Sweeny.

We connected with Art and Shawna from the eponymous duo Art-N-Shawna. This is what they had to say.

RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?

Art: For me I think it’s really two answers. From a strictly original music standpoint, I’d have to say Melanie and Rich from Sirsy. They’ve done an amazing job at creating their own sound, and traveling the country performing their music. All while overcoming some pretty intense personal health issues, but always remaining positive. I really admire that. On the local scene, it’s Jay Yager. The dude is a marketing genius when it comes to his projects. He gets stuff done.

Shawna: Most recently I am truly inspired by Keri Alonzo, the female lead vocalist from Jukebox Rebellion. She has one of the best, if not the best, female voices in the capital district. She has bravely and openly battled colorectal cancer and continues to be an inspiration for this community. She even performed while she was going through chemotherapy treatment!

RRX: Our style comes from the extension of our influences. It’s like an evolution. We’re influenced, and it inspires us to influence. What can you say about your influences, and what you feel you’ve done with their influence as a musician or band? Have you extended their work?

Art: My biggest influences as a player are Gary Rossington (Skynyrd) and Hughie Thomasson (The Outlaws). Very different approaches, but I think my style is a bit of a blend of them both. I think that comes through in my songs. As a songwriter, I think there are too many to name. The most important thing I think is to tell a story, or paint a picture with my lyrics. And try to make it relatable.

Shawna: I will speak to my biggest influence who is my Mom, Terry Pechette. She and my Dad had played in bands together since before my brother and I were born. I grew up watching her on stage as the front woman in different cover bands, all playing different genres. My parents were the founding members of the established band Grit N Whiskey when she passed away suddenly in 2014. Once my Dad was ready to be on stage again, and me not being overly impressed with the women they auditioned, I auditioned to be the new front woman for Grit N Whiskey and got the gig! I had only done this type of thing a handfull of times prior as a duo with a good friend of mine, Andy Iorio. While my experience was limited, I grew into the role and am now in the 10th season with GnW and 2nd full year as the acoustic duo Art N Shawna. I carry my Mom’s spirit on stage with me every single show and have absolutely extended her work and hope that maybe I even exceed any expectations she would’ve had.

RRX: In the musical world, there are many supporting players. Recording engineers, sound techs, cover art designers. Who are three people that support the craft that you would like to shine a spotlight on?

Shawna: My brother Josh Pechette of Pechette Studios. He is a professional sound engineer and has supported me immensely in this journey. I take all of his compliments and constructive criticism to heart as his experience and exposure to amazing music is huge. The rest of the supporting players… Just my family & friends who have been by my side through all of this. Any musician knows that sacrifices are made, and I appreciate every single ounce of support.

Art: I totally agree with Shawn about her brother. Also, I think Dave Tyo. He’s an incredible sound engineer but more than that he is a brilliant producer. He just hears stuff. And he’s great at getting the best out of people. Number three? Chris Weink at WEXT. What he and that station does for the local music scene is pretty incredible.

RRX: Tell me about your most recent song, album, or video (you pick.) Tell me a story about what went into making it. Not a process, but a cool story that took place within the process.

Shawna: I leave this one to the songwriter, Art. If he talks about “So Am I” I will just say that this was the first original song I got to sing and I found parts of my voice that I didn’t know I had. My confidence has grown exponentially since this recording, thanks to all the amazing feedback from those who have heard it.

Art: So. yeah, I am going to talk about “So Am I,” my latest release. It became something bigger than me. I was so moved by Keri Alonzo’s story that I felt compelled to do something…anything to help. She made a post on Facebook that said “Cancer is tough. Chemo is tough. But so am I”. And a song was born. It was amazing to watch it come together. I got some heavy hitters in the 518 scene to play and sing on the recording and was able to get a lot of media support (including an article you wrote) to help spread the word and raise money for Keri. Altogether the song raised almost $2,000 in downloads. Keri is a big fan of the song, and says she cries every time she listens to it. It’s a pretty powerful song I think.

RRX: Let’s talk about your next project, your next few. Just not the ones you’re working on now. The ones you have your eyes on for the future. What’s coming to us?

Shawna: Art & I are excited about our next cover/original project! It will give us the opportunity to play multiple genres that speak to both of us, and hopefully the other band members too. No time frame on when that project comes together, but I am looking forward to a new adventure.

Art: I’m still working on my EP, but I’ve been writing so much it may actually become a full album. As performers, I’m looking forward to expanding and focusing on the original music and having a band to support that. And singing with Shawna of course. That never gets old for me.

RRX: “The best laid plans of mice and men…” I don’t really know the quote, but I know this one; sh*t happens. When we least expect it, calamity befalls us. Sometimes just comic inconvenience. Please tell us a story about some comic inconvenience that happened to you whilst performing?

Art: There have been a few but the one that just doesn’t go away is from about five years ago. It was my very first gig with our band Grit-N-Whiskey. There is a point in the set where I introduce the band members. I always save Shawna for last. We had been dating for a few months by then. When I got to her, my brain just tweaked and I introduced her as Dawna! Without missing a beat she said into the mic, “I don’t know who Dawna is, but you and I are gonna have a conversation after the show!” The band still busts my chops to this day!

Shawna: I’ll be honest, I don’t find it comical anytime there is an obstacle while performing. However, I will say that if you see me giggle in the middle of a line in a song, it’s likely because I forgot a lyric or my timing wasn’t correct. That is a learned response to those mistakes, as every national performer will tell you that lyrics are forgotten from time to time, and I’ve even experienced that in person at concerts. So I laugh it off and move on, because nobody is perfect and sh*t does in fact, happen.

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