#INTERVIEW Shawn Hook has a million ways winning hearts

British Columbia born singer-songwriter, Shawn Hook has come a long way to get to where he is today. Hook is best known for his songs Million Ways and this summer’s hot hit, Sound Of Your Heart. He has been busy promoting his second album Analog Love, which has just been released (June 9^th 2015) and he is definitely excited to about it.

We caught up with Shawn Hook on Canada Day at the Richmond Green Center. We chatted about the release of his new album, his favorite songs off the album, the MMVAs, and future projects. Watch out Hooksters, looks like he’s going global.

Check out the interview below!

So you’re new album ‘Analog Love’ has just been released. What can you tell us about it?
It’s fun! I’ve been working on it for the last three years and it started organically, playing the piano and writing music. I collaborated with a bunch of really cool writers and producers around the world especially in Los Angeles, Vancouver, and Toronto primarily. It’s my second album, my second major release, it’s actually my first one with Universal Canada. It’s definitely a big step for me because I feel like creatively I had the reigns on this one, in terms of the people I worked with. I’m just really excited to finally have it out!

If you had to choose out of all the songs off your new album, which ones would be your favourites?
That’s a tough question; it’s kind of like choosing your favorite family member! I feel like my favorite songs change throughout from when they were created on the record to now. Currently if I had to choose it would be between Bad Girls and Analog Love.

We saw you presenting at the MMVAs a little over a week ago, how was that and were you nervous?
It was fun and exciting! A lot of commotion backstage but nonetheless it was fun. I was kind of more calm than usual, I was backstage and one of my handlers was like “Are you okay?” and I was like “Yeah why?” and they said “Oh you’re really quiet”, I guess I was just taking it all in. This is my third time going to the MMVAs. The first time I was a little more nervous going to the red carpet and not knowing what to expect. But this time I kind of knew what to expect, and even though I haven’t presented before I’m kind of comfortable on stage. I would say that I was about 10% nervous, for sure there was a bit of nerves there. I did not wan to mess up the lines, that was my biggest concern. But it was fun!

Maybe next year we could possibly be seeing you performing?
Hopefully! I guess it really depends on The Hooksters. I thought I was going to perform this year because my video just broke one million views today and the song Sound Of Your Heart went to #9 on iTunes and #10 on pop charts today. So I thought I had enough momentum to get on stage but those things can be political. But it’s all good, I still had a great experience for sure!

You’re here today at the Richmond Green Center and you will be performing in front of a big crowd, what can we expect from a Shawn Hook performance?
Well we’ve been rehearsing for the last week and I’m playing about 14-16 songs depending on time. So it’s going to be a lot of music and playing all original material from my last record and all the new stuff from my new record as well. It’s a balance, up-tempo songs like Bad Girls and I’ve got some ballads as well. So hopefully it will be an entertaining journey and there is going to be a little firework intermission, so that’s cool! Who gets fireworks in-between their show?!

We’re all about going The Xtra Mile. How do you, as an artist go the The Xtra Mile?
I prepare for everything I do. And whether it’s the way I eat, how I work out, practicing vocals, practicing guitar playing, or practicing piano. I think to go The Xtra Mile you have to be prepared.

Can we be expecting any upcoming tours or any projects in the near future?
I’m hoping to tour across Canada but recently I’ve had some developments internationally, so I signed a deal with Republic Records United States. Yesterday I just found out that Polydor in France is picking up the record, and we’re talking to the UK and Australia as well. So potentially I will be travelling around the world to promote the album in other countries and it’s awesome that it started here in Canada. Sometimes you have to go outside of Canada to get recognition back in Canada, but it is nice that I am getting a lot of support from my hometown!

Check out Shawn Hook’s single for “Sound of Heart” below!