SAMMIES • KC Shane

As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?

01.30.20

I grew up in Indiana going to church like most in my hometown, so I grew up listening to, singing and initially writing when I first started, Christian music. I had a lot of influential adults in my life and they all listened to different genres. Just a bit of everything from gospel, country and bluegrass, rock, hip-hop, R&B/soul, to musicals. I am grateful to have been raised on many different styles of music because it has helped shape me into an out of the box, eclectic musical artist.

Can you describe a moment in your musical career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?

01.30.20

I am happy to say that this has happened many times. I will finish a song or a set and have at least one person from the crowd tell me that my song(s) effected them in a powerful way. One of the best compliments I have ever received was when someone told me: “Your music is good medicine.”

Describe your show visually and musically.

01.30.20

I’ve been told it’s like listening to a story. Emotional, empowering and moving.

Do you have regular gigs around town?

01.30.20

Pretty regularly, but I’m always looking for more venues! More and more gigs are being written in my planner almost every day! Next gig is Feb. 8 for Sidewalk Sessions at Trade Coffee through Indie Musicians Society. And Feb. 15 and 22, I will be singing an original song in an incredible show called Raise The Vibration through V-Day Sacramento. Be sure to look it up!

Favorite colors?

01.30.20

Earthy tones, black and I’ve recently gotten into neon.

First concert?

01.30.20

Spice Girls!

How did it first start?

01.30.20

With singing it all started in church from as young as I can remember. As far as creating my own music, I was 14 when my mom got me an Alvarez acoustic guitar for Christmas. I had never really played before, but it became an instant obsession. In the first two days of figuring it out I wrote my first song called “Dear God.” It got some college and internet radio time for a hot minute when I was 19.

How do you describe your music to people?

01.30.20

A soul, folk, rock fusion that will have you feeling some feels in your feelings.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you be?

01.30.20

A sea lion so I could survive on land and sea.

Name a pet peeve.

01.30.20

Social injustice.

Name a recent personal food trend.

01.30.20

Honestly, freaking oat milk. And hemp hearts on avocado toast.

Tell us about how the band formed.

01.30.20

So much love to my backing band fam. It’s currently in the forming stages. Right now, I have guitarist Tony Brisson, keyboardist Vanden Paul and bassist Zyler Hartman. We all found each other through word of mouth from mutual friends and open-mics. I’m still looking for a drummer if anyone is interested in auditioning!

Tell us about how you first started gigging.

01.30.20

Open-mics and coffee shops! Yo! Let’s give some big love to all the open-mics and coffee shop venues. Helping local creatives through the ages! Many thanks! (Shout out to Speak Out Sacramento my longtime home open-mic!)

Tell us about this creative project. What is it?

01.30.20

I’m thrilled to tell you that I got to release my first single on Jan. 1 and I’m currently working on my first EP with my band, local producer Marco Robledo and Nashville music engineer Skyler Taylor! Grateful for my team! Stay tuned!

Tell us about your best gig in Sac.

01.30.20

There have been quite a few gigs that have been good and memorable, but the highlighted memory that stands out the most would have to be the time I was chosen to be an outside solo performer for the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus. They were doing their tribute to The Beatles show at The Crest Theatre and I sang “All My Loving” in front of over 500 people. By the end of the song, I think every one in the audience was on their feet cheering! I could physically feel a wall of energy hit me full force that gave me such an incredible feeling that is hard to describe. When I got back to the dressing room I was all happy tears and smiles while I was jumping around from pure joy! I will never forget this.

Tell us about yourself.

01.30.20

Aside from being a musician, I am a 29 year old cancer, INFJ with an old soul who also happens to be a proud queer transgender man (my pronouns are he/him). I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, but also need time alone to recharge. I like listening to music, drinking coffee (currently always craving oat milk lattes from Chocolate Fish) and nature. I am easily distracted by funny animal videos. On more serious notes, I’m a big believer in manifestation and telling people that they matter, because knowing and believing that changes everything. I am a thriving survivor. I work for an anti-violence nonprofit called A Community For Peace doing outreach. I am loud about social justice work and creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. I like to use my platform to play my part in making sure this happens. *Raises fist of Resistance*

What are your musical goals?

01.30.20

Releasing my EP, winning a SAMMIE Award, touring, releasing my full album, more touring, Grammy Awards ... Mostly that, my music and my story will help bring positive change.

What did you want to be when you were 7?

01.30.20

I’ve always wanted to be a professional musician, but I’m pretty sure 7 is when I also wanted to be a veterinarian.

What do you sing in the shower? (Be honest.)

01.30.20

No shame ... I absolutely do!

What drives you to keep interviewing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

01.30.20

I never know who is reading and who will be positively impacted by my answers. Any negative things people have to say about me or my music doesn’t really effect me anymore. I have learned that not everyone is going to like me or what I create—and that’s OK.

What drives you to keep playing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

01.30.20

Music is my passion. Creating and performing makes me feel alive. Music is the one constant that has saved me and healed me time and time again.

What message do you hope to give with your music?

01.30.20

That there is hope. Some of my songs are sad and I always worried that it could make people feel too sad. But, actually I have gotten the opposite response from people. They tell me it makes them realize that they are not alone because someone else has felt like they have felt. I want my music to always remind people that they are not alone and that they are important.

What question would you like to ask your fellow bandmates?

01.30.20

You ready, fam?

What was the first song you learned to play?

01.30.20

"Every Rose Has It’s Thorn" by Poison

What's the best part of this experience?

01.30.20

Knowing that people chose me for this! The tangible ability to see that people really love my music. That, though I would love to win the award, its a win for me whether I do or don’t. (Thank you for the nomination, voters!) And it’s really cool to see a lot of friends on the list, too! So proud of us! We doin' big things!

What's your favorite jam from the '90s?

01.30.20

I’m a big fan of '90s music so this a tough one, but I’m gonna go with "Nutshell" by Alice In Chains.

What’s your favorite song to perform live right now?

01.30.20

Right now, it’s gotta be my original song “Wait.”

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

01.30.20

Working on my fourth or fifth album and/or touring on my dream tour bus.

Who are your biggest influences?

01.30.20

City & Colour, Hozier, Sam Smith, Tracy Chapman, Chris Stapleton, James Taylor, Leon Bridges, John Mayer, various '90s alternative bands

Words to live by?

01.30.20

You matter. Be light.

Dream big, for the possibilities are endless.

KC Shane

Q & A

As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?

Can you describe a moment in your musical career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?

Describe your show visually and musically.

Do you have regular gigs around town?

Favorite colors?

First concert?

How did it first start?

How do you describe your music to people?

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you be?

Name a pet peeve.

Name a recent personal food trend.

Tell us about how the band formed.

Tell us about how you first started gigging.

Tell us about this creative project. What is it?

Tell us about your best gig in Sac.

Tell us about yourself.

What are your musical goals?

What did you want to be when you were 7?

What do you sing in the shower? (Be honest.)

What drives you to keep interviewing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

What drives you to keep playing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

What message do you hope to give with your music?

What question would you like to ask your fellow bandmates?

What was the first song you learned to play?

What's the best part of this experience?

What's your favorite jam from the '90s?

What’s your favorite song to perform live right now?

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Who are your biggest influences?

Words to live by?

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