Interview: SH!NER

1: How did you decide on the name, “SH!NER"?

Landing on the name SH!NER was a bit of a journey, but in the end I just kept coming back to that word. Coincidentally I was watching Dr. Sleep (the sequel to The Shining) for maybe the 5th time cuz I fucking love that movie + it's balance of intense darkness + hope. The words "shine" + "shiner" are used a lot as it pertains to people with certain supernatural gifts. Originally I gravitated to "shiner" as slang for "black eye", having always been drawn to subversion + feeling like an outcast. But the reference + it's meaning in the world of The Shining is also significant + ultimately helped me feel like it was the right name. 

2: What inspires you to create?

I'm easily inspired, maybe haha. Witnessing + participating in life. I'm just naturally such a curious person, constantly filled with endless questions. Relationships, the world, people, the universe-- it's all so strange + interesting + makes no sense haha. Writing helps me process things + cope in a deeper way. For me, inspiration can come from anything.

3: What advice would you give to someone who wants to be in a creative profession?

Ahh that's hard. I guess I'd say to focus on what makes them happy + to make their joy of process a top priority. Also, just keep going, keep creating, keep sharing. Practice knowing when it's time to finish a project, let it go + move on.

4: Do you feel open minded about what you listen to? Do you like going out of your comfort zone?

I think my taste in music/art is pretty eclectic. I'm pretty open minded + like trying new things. I'm a music slut so I'm constantly collecting new songs/artists from friends, TV, movies, etc. I'll listen to something blindly just based off a recommendation haha. I definitely have my favs + comfort zones but I enjoy venturing out.

5: What outlets do you find out about music from? (Record stores, magazines, samplers, etc.)

Most new music I find is from exploring. Or from friends or music podcasts/radio shows. Sometimes Spotify will introduce me to something new, or from TikTok, TV, movies, etc. I enjoy a good rabbit hole, so I might start with one band + then look into the producer of one of their albums or something, + then end up on the entire discography of another band that producer with work haha. Stuff like that happens a lot! In high school I found most of my favorite bands by lending + borrowing CD's from friends, label/festival samplers, magazines, etc.

6: What is your favorite format to listen to music on? (CD, Vinyl, etc.)

 I have a CD + vinyl collection that I love + am proud of. Most of my listening is via Spotify/streaming. But for physical listening, it's definitely vinyl! There's magic in those grooves. :)

7: How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

Haha I simultaneously love + hate the internet so much. I was thinking about this recently + I think if I had a choice I'd prefer to make/release music before the explosion of "online". Some folx who have been around for a while refer to it as the "golden age" or one of the "golden ages" + I wish aspects of that were preserved. There are major pro's + con's to each side. Making music is easier than ever + artists have more control of their work, so that's great. But oversaturation is very real, + so often social media plays god in the process, which I hate. Shit can be toxic af.

8: Who was the first band/artist that became your favorite band?

My first actual favorite band was probably Relient K or Switchfoot. Then blink-182 shortly after, who remain my favorite band haha.

9: Do you have any hobbies outside of music?

Yeah! I love movies, thrifting, record shops, working out, making pins/button badges, nightlife/clubbing. I'm into spontaneous adventures + doing random shit. Concerts, road trips, Disneyland, DIY projects, playing outside, doodling.

10: What was the inspiration for your song “ARTFUQ”?

"ARTFUQ" is about feeling overwhelmed + craving deeper connection. Being inspired by everything + trying to process the complexity of human existence + society. "ARTFUQ" is having all this messy shit in your head + trying to make any fucking sense of it.