Surprise Cast #104 Leathers (Shannon Hemmett)

In this episode of Surprise Cast, I go deep into the world of electronic music with a very special guest, Shannon Hemmett. The frontwoman of Leathers and a member of the acclaimed Vancouver post-punk darkwave band Actors. 

The conversation kicks off with a glowing review of "Ultraviolet" penned by online friend, Jason Rogers, highlighting the album's sleek, synth-driven sound that evokes images of nighttime drives and future noir cityscapes. Shannon reflects on the comparisons to iconic bands like Eurythmics and The Passions, expressing her admiration for Annie Lennox.

Throughout this three-part discussion, Shannon opens up about various facets of her life and career. She talks about her childhood, family influences, and the significant impact of her school's photography program ("we had a dark room, which wasn't common...magical experience") which sparked her passion for both music and visual arts. She also shares stories about her upbringing in a blue-collar family, her father's long career in aircraft maintenance ("40+ years" working on jets"), her mom doing volunteer work at school, and the creative encouragement she received from her parents. ("maybe I can have a profession that I'm inspired by").

In the segment on "friend-torships," Shannon discusses the pivotal role of Jason Corbett, her bandmate and producer, in her musical journey via Vancouver. ("Are you in a band...you have a nice singing voice"). She explains how their collaborative partnership has been instrumental in shaping Leathers' sound and how their combined strengths have led to the success of both Leathers and Actors. ("Having Jason in my corner...it's pretty special"). 

As the conversation shifts to the themes and inspirations behind "Ultraviolet," Shannon delves into the album's exploration of fantasy versus reality, drawing literary inspiration from J.G. Ballard's novel "High Rise." ("The response to the album has been really lovely"). She also candidly discusses personal experiences, such as a life-changing car accident, and how these events have influenced her songwriting. 

To wrap up, Shannon shares her thoughts on performing live, future tour plans for Leathers and Actors, and some of her favorite albums that have shaped her musical taste. The episode concludes with a series of rapid-fire questions, offering listeners a glimpse into Shannon's personal preferences and inspirations. Fun stuff!

Join us for this insightful and inspiring episode as we uncover the layers of creativity and passion that define Shannon Hemmett and the mesmerizing soundscape of "Ultraviolet." 

"Shannon is a singer!" :)...and much much more!

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https://www.instagram.com/leathersmusic/

https://soundcloud.com/leathersmusic

https://x.com/LEATHERSmusic

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