Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun Brennan.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I started a Record label called Splice Records 4 years ago after working in video production for about 10 years under Splice of Life Productions. We currently work with Texas musicians that span through many genres of music. When people ask what kind of music represent, I often answer with, “We like the music to reflect our community in the fact that Houston is made up of many different people. We do not represent one genre but instead we represent them ALL and you may call us a ‘confused’ genre or music gumbo! Our sound can be best described as Gypsy-jazz rock n’ roll with a twist of soul, a splash of funk, a side of Honk-tonk, a dash of folky revivalist, mixed with elements of Third Coast and voodoo roots”! I know it’s a mouth full but it is always fun to say! As a label we manage bands and musicians, distribute their albums, direct their visual appearance while simultaneously curating concerts and festivals.
We book shows, manage calendars and create experiences revolved around music. So, we often dance, we party and at times we also sit down and simply listen to lyrics mixed with music. In the end we work inside the entertainment world trying to make fans by touching people through the art of music and event planning. I like to think we create emotional experiences through the arts.
Please tell us about your art.
I have never officially considered myself an artist. I instead help and work with artist in building their careers while assisting in the process of making albums. I do think it is a skill that has value to the artist community. Making music is not easy and it takes a village to put it together and a reaction to make it successful. We as a label press vinyl, we make music videos, we invest in film and us curate shows. There is an art form with in that but I am not sure I can claim to be an artist. My passion is helping artist!
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The biggest challenge for a musician or artist in today’s world is that the music industry is a microcosm of our economy. There is a thin upper crust who hoards most of the earning potential and then there is a the other 95% of the industry. There is very little “middle-class” in music. Making a full-time living may require a lot of open road traveling, a lot of bookings, some struggles and it also requires giving up on some securities that others may enjoy, like: a family, a home, medical coverage etc. I guess the short answer is that many revenue streams that use to be important to a musician’s economic career has vanished. The music industry has changed for the better and for the worse. It requires an evolution from what once was and an understanding that if you plan a career in the industry as an artist you must let go of things that many find to be necessities of life. I think I once read a meme that said something like: “Music is the only career where you travel hundreds of miles in beat up car, with thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment to get paid in peanuts.” Not a direct quote but you get the idea.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Our website tells our story and if you sign up to our news letter with your email on our front page, you can stay up to date with our albums, music video releases, our shows and our events at www.splicerecordstx.com.
If you want to be a part of our crowning creation, you will come float the Guadalupe River with us at our Camping and Music festival called River Revival. It is an All-Inclusive festival where we create live art in nature, build stage next to the river, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner for everyone and we have concerts in the evening. It is everything we love mixed into a 3-day weekend. There is live music, camping, food, beverages and the River. Tickets go on sale July 16th and can be purchased on our website. The festival will be in its 4th year this year and for many years it was a secret word of mouth kind of thing… and like all things in this world the secret is no more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.splicerecordstx.com
- Email: splicerecordsllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splicerecordstx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpliceRecordsTX/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpliceRecordsTX
- Other: spotify:user:splicerecordstx
Image Credit:
Photos by Brandon Holley, Scott Overholser, Pam Moore and Jay Dryden
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