Member Since: 30/03/2006
Band Website: www.shonumusic.com"www.shonumusic.com
Band Members: Shonu (acoustic guitar & vocals):Shonu first seriously studied guitar with friend and mentor Eric Roche in 1997, finally leaving his job as an international corporate finance attorney in a NY law firm in 2002 and enrolling at music school on Eric's advice. He played the London singer-songwriter circuit as a duo through 2002/3, with a band (including percussionist Sean Quinn) in 2004 and went solo in 2005. Shonu met bassist Les Mommsen through Sean (at an African festival staged at the Royal Festival Hall where the two were performing) in 2005. They formed a three-piece band at the start of 2006.
Sean Quinn (percussion and bvs): was brought up in London of Irish/English origin and studied Design Craft specialising in contemporary jewellery design before deciding to pursue his love of music. Sean has been playing and teaching percussion professionally on the London circuit over the last 10 years and has toured in Asia, Africa and Europe. He has his own percussion outfit playing London clubs and venues such as Cargo and the Vibe Bar.
Les Mommsen (acoustic bass): grew up in Zimbabwe and South Africa where he was a well-known professional bass guitarist. He came to London in 2001 to further his musical career in the U.K. and is both a professional sound engineer and bass player. He has toured both Europe and Africa playing bass guitar, has incorporated a unique acoustic finger-picking technique into his various styles and is influenced by diverse genres. He has his own African Jazz/World music ensemble and plays frequently at venues such as Viva Viva.
photos: Ed Harris
web design: Pav Chahal
recording: Brendon Sole
Influences: Shonus influences were as much literary (Kundera's Unbearable Lightness of Being) and arts-related as musical initially but have evolved from being primarily lyrical and within the singer-songwriter form to a more rounded beat driven and ambient band sound. He has influences ranging from the acoustic humanist lyricism and melody of Joni Mitchell and Damien Rice through the ambient guitar of Jose Gonzalez and John Martyn to the ethereal rhythm and power of Radioheads Hail to the Thief and Muses Supermassive Black Hole. The style has been labelled lyrical, spiritual, ambient, chill out and others. Shonu suggests you just listen and make up your own mind.
Sounds Like: Have a listen!
Record Label: Shonumusic Productions