Meet Shawn Hess | Musician & venue operator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn Hess and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since I was a kid, choosing to pursue an artistic career never really felt like a choice I had to make; just felt like what I was going to do. I think this is a pretty common feeling among lifelong artists.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I play a type of country western/folk music that will likely never be at the top of the charts or anything, but that’s the way I like it. I do a lot of touring around different parts of the country at small to medium sized venues where things are more intimate; I get to meet so many amazing folks along the way, have complete creative control and control over how I operate in a business sense as well. I started writing songs years ago with only myself in mind as the audience, and have continued to do so, so it’s been a wild experience to see other folks becoming interested in and connecting to my songs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, I live in Laramie, WY, but I’m Denver playing and seeing shows often. I definitely spend most of my time on South Broadway, mainly between the Hi-Dive and The Skylark, they’re such solid venues with amazing shows happening all the time. And I’m a sucker for a good slice of pizza before or after a show and for that there’s no shortage of great spots in that handful of blocks. The Pie Hole and Fat Sully’s have been the choice lately.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I give so much credit to my folks for supporting me playing music as far back as I remember. From buying me my first instruments, lessons and allowing me to constantly make a racket in the house. Family and friends are also a huge part beyond providing the means to start my musical journey, but also exposing me to so much music that served as inspiration to want to play. As for the style of music I’m playing and writing right now, there are far too many influences to list them all, but if I had to name a few, I’d say it would have to be late 60s/early 70s Byrds and Willie Nelson. Don’t think I’d be making the music I make now without those two artists.

Instagram: @shawnhessmusic

Other: https://shawnhess.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Photo 1: Right Eye Media
Photo 2: George Blosser