The Denisonian

Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Ian Darrow Shawn Mullins performed at the Roost last Friday night (Oct. 12), proving he's more than just that "Lullaby" guy.

You probably only know him from his 1998 Grammy-nominated hit "Lullaby," and you probably didn't know he was still making music. But Shawn Mullins recently released a new album, 9th Ward Pickin' Parlor, and a concert at the Roost last Friday night let him show off his songwriting (and storytelling) skills.

The Denisonian had the chance to interview the musician, and this folk singer's got a lot more up his sleeve than that one hit song from back in the day.

Amy Lyon: Did you always know that music was going to be what you did for a living?

Shawn Mullins: Absolutely, I never wanted to do anything but music. I was always serious about music. My grandfather is the one who really got me into music.
He was a bass player up until the 70s and 80s, when I came on the scene. I really loved the music he would play, like rock and folk and country


AL: Do you enjoy playing to college campuses?

SM: Definitely, I used to do the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) circuit before I was signed to a label. I would play for union groups, and try to set up tours that way. I played clubs and coffee houses but the paying gigs were colleges.


AL: What artists, in today's music scene, do you enjoy listening to?

SM: Well, the new Amy Winehouse record I love. And John Mayer, who is a friend of mine, I love what he's doing. I actually was the one who handed his demo to Columbia Records, so that is cool.
I love that he is finally letting the real John Mayer come through. He definitely is more of a guitar guy, and I think a lot of people don't really know that.


AL: Who are some of your musical influences, style wise?

SM: Definitely Stevie Ray Vaughn. A lot of Texas blues. A lot of much older music, like some jazz and folk singers.
Definitely Anita Franco. I love the old kind of funky R 'n' B.
I went to the Prince concert a little while back and that was awesome. I really like Rock music, [like] Brendan O'Brien.


AL: Expanding outside of today's musicians, any others who you really enjoy, and that influence you as well?

Continued...

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