I don't think being a musician makes me a role model at all. But I do believe that I have responsibility to offer people a helping hand when and if I can, just the same way that others have helped me. I think that it's important to keep that cycle going, and to give back to whatever your personal definition of community is.
In terms of songwriting I think it might be a circular thing. I tend to go back and forth between quieter melancholy songs and more forceful, less traditional structures. I think when I find myself leaning too far in one direction I kind of rebel against it and pull the other way.
Though the inspiration for my songs almost always comes from things that are happening around me, I am definitely not always the protagonist in the songs.
I think I'm a lot happier than people might think from listening to my songs.
Just because I write in the first person doesn't mean that all my songs are autobiographical.
I think I've gotten a pretty fair shake in the music press over the years. The only think that kind of irks me is when people assume that I must be really depressed person because they find my songs to be sad.
I don't consider myself a skilled enough instrumentalist to be able to create the atmosphere that I want with just my guitar by myself.
I feel like the songs that I write are best when they are performed by an ensemble, rather than by one solo instrument.
Every single record I make is an act of faith in a sense, and somewhere I also have faith that the people who need to hear my music somehow will.
I am very, very grateful to have the best and most supportive fans ever.
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J Mascis Musician
Shelby Lynne Singer-songwriter
