1: How did you decide on the name, “ShyGodwin"?
JASMINE: “ShyGodwin” came from my old producer name, “shygod”, when I used to make beats. I tend to get called shy, though I’d say I’m more reserved, but it flowed well, and “god” was just a shortening of my mother’s maiden name, Godwin. When Ly and I formed the band, “ShyGodwin” sounded way better as a band name so I pitched it.
LY: I like the vibe of band names named after someone other than the singer. I’m not shy but I love the juxtaposition of that with our sound, which is definitely not shy. As the front person I think naturally people look at you as the center of the band and that’s not true of us. I love that the name has so much connection and it sounds pretty cool and catchy.
2: What inspires you to create?
JASMINE: Life in general I guess. I feel the most inspiration when I’m feeling the most hopeful. Like when life’s getting tough, creating music is a kind of way to take care of myself as I get through the hard times. To be able to create when my surroundings seem like so much chaos, that inspires me to think of getting on the other side of it.
LY: Everything really, for me. Life and all its beautiful bullshit. I really love creating, whether it’s writing songs or creating videos, I just really enjoy the whole process of getting out what's in my head. It's freeing to express myself, and I like to do it in any way I can.
3: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a creative profession?
LY: I would say, just keep going. I know that’s very generic sounding but it’s great advice. You got to personalize it for yourself.
JASMINE: Yeah, I agree. The best way to keep going is to make a plan. Figure out where you want to go, what you want to do, and how you want to get there.
LY: When you have an idea get it down immediately, if it’s writing down a lyric on your phone or using a voice memo, get down whatever you have in your brain before you forget. Guarantee it’ll be worth revisiting.
4: Do you feel open minded about what you listen to? Do you like going out of your comfort zone?
JASMINE: I feel like I’m fairly open minded, but I can be a bit picky with what I listen to. I will say, though, that I’d give anything at least one listen. I like going outside my comfort zone because you never really know what can inspire you, you know, and I think getting outside a comfort zone is necessary if you want to grow.
LY: I’m always aux chord ready! Before we became a band I was trying my hand at DJing, I love discovering something new and listening to all different types of music. inspiration can come from anywhere so why not.
5: What outlets do you find out about music from? (Record stores, magazines, samplers, etc.)
LY: Playlists. I used to make mix CDs in middle school and play them through the boom box I would put in the basket of my bicycle. I love playlists and I think they’re are an awesome discovery tool and an interesting way to get to know someone.
JASMINE: I like to go down the rabbit hole of related artists of my faves. I’d also say playlists are a great discovery route for me too.
6: What is your favorite format to listen to music on? (CD, Vinyl, etc.)
JASMINE: I’m a streaming person but I think it’s because it’s just more accessible to me at the moment.
LY: The way that makes me feel in my feelings the most are CDs or on a CD player, preferably a portable one. My dad would buy endless amounts of CD’s and play them throughout our house, in his car. CD’s make me happy.
7: What band/artist do you think everyone should listen to?
LY: ShyGodwin
JASMINE: That’s a good one! I say ShyGodwin as well.
8: What motivates you to check out a new artist?
LY: There’s a feeling behind their music and it sounds like something new and interesting and different from anything else that is out there at the moment.
JASMINE: Anything with a guitar solo definitely gets my attention.
9: Who was the first band/artist that became your favorite band?
JASMINE: Paramore, hands down. First concert I bought a ticket to.
LY: Hmmm I think I would have to say Fall Out Boy, they were the first band I bought my own concert ticket to and the first concert I ever went to without a parent and/or guardian.
10: What was the inspiration for your song “psychoLodgy”?
JASMINE: Ly came with great lyrics and melodies, and I really just took her lead and tried to find some sounds that fit the journey she was telling lyrically.
LY: I had been living in extreme conditions in what felt like a cycle of abuse and secrecy for so long. I guess I felt inspired by the shame of protecting my abusers and I was at a breaking point where I started to question my own clear thinking, and if the boundaries I was drawing were reasonable. There was, and maybe still is because I’m not that far removed from it, this feeling of ‘maybe I am the problem’ maybe I do need to change. Fucking gas lighters.
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