Photo Credit: Jeremy HK Moore Photography

It’s been a busy fall for Shawn Kerr. His new EP, Coming To, dropped at the end of September and for him, it was quite a switch, “This new EP is quite a big turn sonically for me.”

So he gave it some time to “sink in” before he performed it live at the October record release show. Now he’s looking forward to showcasing it even more but before you find out where you can see him next, get to know more about the record, the “Creature,” and more.

Kendra: Growing up with the likes of Sheryl Crow and Alanis on repeat, when I hear singer-songwriter I imagine those stripped-down acoustics. But today, artists like yourself are delivering more soulful elements. Where do you draw your influences from?

Shawn Kerr: I think most people these days are all over the place in their listening habits which opens up the opportunity for influences from a variety of spaces. I love that. Most of my influence comes from personal experiences and adventures with friends. Musically, my inspiration ranges from artists like Bon Iver, Gregory Alan Isakov, Nick Murphy to Tycho, Olafur Arnalds, and Tourist. It’s ever-changing though, which I think is healthy.

Kendra: Are those the artists that made you want to do what you do now?

Shawn Kerr: For sure! I’ve always loved the singer-songwriter world as well as the electronic/instrumental world, I’m always trying to find my way of bringing those spaces I love to be in together.

Kendra: Let’s talk about “Creature” and this whole idea of letting go of our negative routines. As a whole, what do you feel is mankind’s worst routine right now that’s messing with the world?

Shawn Kerr: I think it would be unproductive for me to make a generalized statement on what is most pressing in the negative routines of mankind today. Mostly because I’m quite unqualified to do so, but also I think self-awareness is more important. Maybe mankind’s worst routine is we seem to spend more time trying to impose how everyone else should be better vs how we can individually better ourselves. That was my intention with “Creature,” I wanted the process of letting go of negative routines to seem like a positive/attractive venture.

Kendra: You and Jeremy Moore worked together on the video for “Creature.” How did you play off one another and will you two team up again for future clips?

Shawn Kerr: Jeremy Moore has been a great friend of mine for a long time now so we work quite naturally with each other. We’re always working on projects together so I’m sure something we will put out something in the future.

Kendra: Between the album and the latest video, you seem very DIY, hands-on with everything you do. Have you always been the type of person to take charge?

Shawn Kerr: I suppose so. Music began as such a personal activity for me since I didn’t meet any friends that played music that I was into until a couple of years after I had already been messing around with things on my own. I was super stoked to meet like-minded people, but I think when I started off growing up and playing a few instruments on my own, my head already was kind of set in the DIY solo direction.

Kendra: The record release on the 18th, but are there any other dates coming up? Perhaps in the new year?

Shawn Kerr: There’s possibly something in November in Hamilton happening but it’s still in the works! Lots of plans right now that I’m will pan out in the following weeks. The live show is what I’m most excited about right now so I’m trying to get out and play as much as I can in the new year!