"This Project Was Focused on Utilizing Music as Therapy": Shannon Garcia Talks Upcoming EP fnExists

Changes in life are scary, whether they be moving to a new state, losing a loved one, or taking a leap of faith. These changes can be detrimental to anyone, but how they affect us is all in how we react to the situation. Life is what we make it.

Shannon Garcia is no stranger to change. Following her world-rocking divorce, the Cincinnati-based artist decided to find herself again through her first love: creating. After taking lessons on various instruments, she then produced her upcoming EP fnExists.

Garcia's latest release and the first single off of fnExists, “Spooky Action At A Distance,” is a gentle yet haunting mix of memories laid out in a track. Her use of guitars and percussion guide listeners on a journey of heartbreak and optimism about what is to come.

Musical Notes Global recently caught up with Shannon Garcia to discuss new beginnings, her upcoming EP, and what it was like working with indie rock band Why?’s percussionist and backing vocalist, Josiah Wolf.

MNGBlog: What is your writing/recording process like?

Shannon Garcia: I don't really have a process, per say, melodies and lyrics make their way into my mind randomly. I try to capture them. Sometimes they resist being captured, maybe it's just not their time. Sometimes they force their way into my daily routine. Once that happens, I build around the original idea weaving in back stories, present feelings and future thinking through words and sounds. I recorded fnExists one instrument at a time, writing and learning in tandem.

MNGBlog: What was it like working with Josiah Wolf?

SG: I am so very grateful to have the opportunity to work with Josiah. We tend to be on the same page, most of the time. That makes it a lot easier for me to explain and stand up for what my visions are. During the recording of fnExists, it was important to me to have full control over every sound. This project was focused on utilizing music as therapy. He was very patient and respectful in only offering suggestions when solicited. Of course, his suggestions were right on point because he is brilliant.

MNGBlog: Your writing on fnExists was influenced by Physics. Can you talk about that for a second? Have you always been fascinated by physics? Why is that so?

SG: I wouldn't say that fnExists as a whole was inspired by Physics. When I was writing/recording “Spooky Action at a Distance”, I was listening to a lecture by Richard Wolfson - Einstein's Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientist. I consider myself to be a life learner. Physics has been a subject that I've been slowly exposing myself to over the last 8 years. I read a book by Amit Goswami - The Physics of God: Unifying Quantum Physics, Consciousness, M-Theory, Heaven, Neuroscience and Transcendence. I found that book to be really interesting and it sparked a need to better understand some of the areas of science he spoke to.

A few years ago, in a very fortuitous chance meeting in a Tuesday night Improv class, I found myself in a room with a Physics professor. We are now friends.

After a few conversations with him, I quickly understood that I have a long way to go in my understanding of the subject. It's a fun process, so, I continue to learn bit by bit.

MNGBlog: What are you most excited for fans to hear from fnExists?

SG: I am most excited for them to actually hear it and hopefully feel it.

MNGBlog: What is the scariest part of starting over, whether that be in love, life, etc?

SG: The unknown.

As humans we thrive on routines, even the simplest of ones. Routines create predictability that offers a sense of safety and comfort.

In love, especially when you live together, you become accustomed to having that person around all the time. You memorize their daily patterns, sleeping habits, what makes them excited, what makes them shut down, their touch, falling asleep on the couch together while reading on a Sunday afternoon...and then, there is just you.

So, you have to create and focus on your own daily patterns without this individual. There is an adjustment period that can be brutal in routing your brain to a new routine. One day, the new routine is established and you're happier for it.

The unknown ended up being far more rewarding than the known, for me at least.

MNGBlog: What is the most fulfilling part?

SG: The most fulfilling part in starting over is knowing that I am being true to myself in this one life that I have to live. Life is too short and naturally unpredictable to not be your most authentic self. The right person will love you for who you are, not who they want you to be or for what they can get out of you.

MNGBlog: What do you think someone can do to “find themselves” again when going through hard times?

SG: The song “Reminders” on fnExists ends with a lyric "Find the love that dwells in your own heart, it will shine farther than you can say" I wrote this song as a mantra for myself. I hope it will help you as well. It starts within. Sit with these feelings until you can see your journey. You are loved.

MNGBlog: What are your plans musically, next?

SG: To Continue. Creating music has become something that warms my soul. I am currently recording new material with Josiah.

To Grow. Playing in front of an audience still prompts a fair amount of fear. With that being said, I am very excited to celebrate the release of fnExists with one of Cincinnati's most loved rock bands, Heavy Hinges. In June, I am joining Andy Holmes, a singer-songwriter, out of Philadelphia on a tour through North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.

Listen to “Spooky Action At A Distance” below.