Shawn Brown on iLike

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Shawn Brown

"Sometimes a kids’ just gotta sing,” replies Shawn Brown with his patented quiet smile, when asked about his music. Although the answer itself seems simple, it is indicative of the Oakland, CA native’s attitude towards his chosen trade - simple and soulful. Although having just released another successful EP this spring, the response has been anything but quiet. "Shawn Brown's The Risk is an enervating blast of soulful pop. The hooks are big and rhythmic, the songwriting is thoughtful and the arrangements are fresh; plus, Brown's got the kind of voice that knows how to take the corners nice and smooth. He glides through each number with an effortless, melodic grace."(Alex Green, Editor Caught in the Carousel). After a small run of warm-up shows throughout Northern California, Shawn is looking to drop his own soulful brand of pop rock on as many people as he can get at. “For me, ‘The Risk’ represents a lot. As a song, it’s a big, bold ballad. But the sentiment of the song also gets at what a ‘risk’ the music business is these days. You just kinda have to put your head down and handle your business.” For this sky-rocketing artist, his business has become continuing to build on his national audience garnered from his 2007’s full length debut Just in Case. As a record, Just in Case, combines Brown’s signature acoustic rock with an urgent contemporary street feel. The result is a potent mix of upbeat, radio friendly fun and Shawn’s soul-drenched, emotive voice. Shawn describes his disk as “singer-songwriter vibe mixed with a generous helping of urban, hip-hop soul.” His sound has fueled comparisons to artists such as Marc Broussard, Gavin Degraw, and Jason Mraz. “This guy gives Rob Thomas a run for his money!" Away Team.com. The disks’ standout tracks include the gospel drenched “Testify”, the equally funky and socially pointed “How Much Money is Enough”, and pop gem“Movie of Your Life”. But even with a record filled with hooky, danceable songs; it’s the title track that gives Shawn the most pride. The final track on the album, “Just in Case”, is a heartbreaking and intensely personal piano ballad that features the talented singer at his emotional best. “That was a tough studio day. I’m really happy folks have gravitated towards that song. I guess when you write a tune about loosing a friend; it shouldn’t be too shocking that people relate to it.” After first gaining national exposure with his 2005 Lucky Boy release, Shawn has continued to fine-tune his songwriting and sound. “It’s always a rough go, trying to really figure out what the songs should finally be. Its one thing to write a tune and sing it well – it’s a whole nother thing to get into a studio and get all those ideas focused into a track that folks will dance to.” As to all the attention that the last year as heaped on him, Shawn smiles wide and says softly “Pretty wild, huh?” He continues to tour nation-wide and is looking forward to recording his next record. This fall, Shawn’s songs have been splashed all over TV shows such as ABC’s Brothers and Sister and MTV’s The Hills. Shawn bleeds excitement for what is coming for him down the road. “Man, I just love to sing for folks. I love it.” Simple and soulful, it’s just the way he does it.

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The Risk Video is mere days away! Aug 29
New Blog! Video Shoots and new games for everyone! Jun 20

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Aug 29 2008, 04:42 PM

The Risk Video is mere days away!

The Risk’ Video is Mere Days Away
Current mood: overstimulated

Greetings and Salutations ya'll,

It's currently in the high 90's here in Oakland and there just aren't enough juice boxes available to keep cool enough round here.

Although I am sweating all over the keyboard, there's just too much important news – so I will continue to risk electrocution in order to keep you folks up to date.

Leading off is 'The Risk' video update. Thanks so much for all the inquiries and interest in the video, apparently you like that ol'song huh?! The long and short of it is that the video is in the final stages of post-production and will be all finished over the next couple days. Hopefully, I'll be able to get that thing up early next week so ya'll can commence the playing it over and over and over and over…It's a good one, plus there will be plenty of outtakes and bloopers available online for your added enjoyment. I believe we will be putting up all the various times I was 'bitch-slapped' by Jaqui Heck during the shoot, so that alone will be worth checking out. Along with the video, I'll be posting 'The Risk' (Radio Edit), which is essentially a shorter version of the song used for the video and such.

There's a bunch of stuff coming down the pipe for the fall/winter. Plenty of shows, recording sessions, and rumblings of a live DVD shoot…I could say more but its much more fun this way. Check back people!

AND FINALLY – more than anything I have appreciated all the participation in the 'Douche Game'. I've found nothing quite brings out the Shawn Brown fans like a round of that good ol' game…so I will not disappoint. Please continue to make your suggestions and comments. I consider them all – but only the most Douche-y make the list:

Tom Brady – Douche.

Marv Albert – Douche (we all still remember, Marv. Dresses and biting…bad Marv.)

Janice Dickenson – Douche (the Douche Game is not sexist or discriminating in anyway, everyone is eligible.)

Andy Roddick – Totally Douche-y.

Mario Lopez – Possibly his second appearance, but hey, he's like Starting Five Co-Captain level Douche.

Oliver North – Representing the Historical Douches.

Any and all Chinese Gymnasts – for f@ck sake, they're like ten years old tops!

RKelly, Al Davis, Both Corey's, Deborah Gibson, and Bill O'Reilly – all complete Douches.

And bringing up the rear as the final glorious Douche of the Day: Alex Rodriguez (finally his home crowd is booing him with the enthusiasm in which we've all been booing for years…and gross, dude – Madonna is really, really old.)

Enjoy yourselves and be good to each other,

ShawnyB
Jun 20 2008, 04:37 PM

New Blog! Video Shoots and new games for everyone!

Greetings from Oakland folks, where we are scrambling to get ready for this weekend's 'The Risk" video shoot. Much love and affection to all of you for the messages and emails wishing me luck and so on. However, you'd better direct all those sweet good luck vibes towards my co-star Jacqui Heck. She's the one the one who'll need it – dealing w/ a non-acting sideshow like myself won't be easy. My hope is you will all be so transfixed by her sheer beauty that you won't have time to notice my below average acting. Fingers crossed! We'll post all kinds of the 'behind the scenes' video hilarity so be on the look out for that comedic genius.

Gonna be doing a bit more BLOGGING, so I thought I'd introduce you all this astounding new game we've been playing around the Penthouse lately.

Blow the caunch!

It goes a little something like this:

I say - Kobe Bryant.

You say – Douche!

I say – Tom Cruise

You say – Total Douche! In fact, probably the point guard of the Douche All-Stars.

I say – Ryan Leaf

You say – DOUCHE!

I say – Chris Martin

You hesitate and think about the scene in "40 Yr Old Virgin" and 'Clocks' and say very quietly – not quite a Douche!

Now you try…

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Shawn Brown

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