Last month I wrote about one of my favorite musicians of all time, Shayfer James. It was done to process the journey of my last few years through the lens of his music, ending with the resolution of Shayfer’s new album and the fantastic experiences I had at his concerts. What I did not anticipate, however, was for the piece to reach Shayfer James’ team. And I especially did not anticipate them reaching out to ask if I’d like to interview Shayfer and write a follow up for this month!
So with the permission of my editor (Bless you, Alex) I will be deviating from the month’s theme to talk about my time with Shayfer James, his new album, and ideas about art.
The new album is called Summoning. It was written in the beautiful, remote, oceanside tundra of Cape Tormentine in Canada. Shayfer cloistered himself in a cabin knowing there was an album he wanted to make but not knowing exactly what it was. Everything he’s said about that time sounds like it was magical in every sense, between the incredible scenery to mysterious sounds in the night. The music that came from this trip very much has that magic in it, reflecting a new perspective, an acceptance of self, and an embracement of what’s to come.
I’ve been lucky enough to have a copy since I saw Shayfer on tour, but as of June 13 the album is officially out! It’s honestly beautiful. Every track has its moments that swell and delight. There’s something so satisfying in the peace that resonates from this album: not a celebration of a perfect solution to life’s problems, but a promise to get through them and to look forward to what comes next.
I probably should’ve talked more specifically about the album, but several phenomenal actual journalists have already done so. I didn’t want to just talk about one piece of art, regardless of how incredible it is. I wanted to talk about how Shayfer thought about art itself.
For Shayfer, art is about a pure expression of self. He described art as something that can really be felt and gives a direct line to the person who created it—saying that in order to make art, an artist needs to listen to their gut. There is some pure instinct in a person wanting to create that they get to wrestle and play with to make something we would call art. We actually spoke a fair bit about the idea of play and how necessary it is in order to make art. This isn’t play as in ‘art is always easy to make,’ but more play as in trying different things to create something that’s coming from a genuine place of expression. Shayfer described his favorite part of the creative process as being lost in that play state, visualizing it as rearranging words and notes like magnetic poetry in his brain.
This is also where collaboration comes in, where creative energies naturally respond to each other. Shayfer spoke very gratefully about the people he’s worked with on many different incredible projects over the years. His comment was “Artists tend to find friendship through the creative process,” discussing how his closest friendships and collaborations developed from bonding over the passion of making. True collaboration is born organically from a desire to meet someone in that creative, playful space and see what happens with no expectations.
But collaboration is more than just artists creating together, it’s also a part of having an audience. Shayfer discussed how—regardless of however personal his songs may be—he views his performances as conversations. His music doesn’t belong to him once it’s out. He loves the work of making, identifying primarily as a writer, but the sharing of his art is just as important. To him, the audience brings context to the work. He mentioned there are songs that no longer hold their original meanings from when he first wrote them. They’ve taken on a new life in how the audience has responded to them. The collaboration of artist and audience is very special to him, if it wasn’t obvious from his relentless touring schedule.
I cannot tell you how delighted Shayfer is to talk about his audience. He could not be more thankful for those he’s met while on tour, those who have been supporting the new music online, and gave a special shoutout to the incredible memes made by those in his patreon community. He is so honored that when he performs he truly feels he can be his authentic self due to the audience also showing up as their authentic self, delighted in that supportive cycle that’s developed. He specified that it wasn’t always the case for him—to feel like he can be himself on stage. That’s only developed for him in the last five years thanks to the genuine support of his audience. While the performing aspect of his work is the part he claims to struggle the most with, I think I can speak for all of the many many fans who have seen him on stage: he’s putting his heart into it, and we can tell.
We talked a bit about creating in the modern age, navigating the trials and tribulations of social media and algorithms. He was pleasantly positive about it, noting that it is certainly annoying but he knows to never compromise with himself as an artist. He doesn’t chase trends and he doesn’t need to play at something to fit a brand. In his words, “I came into the era of content creation already dressed.” He knows who he is and more importantly what he isn’t.
I think that all points to this new album, Summoning. Shayfer described it as a summoning of self, so I asked him, “Who is that new self, and what makes him different from the previous selves?” The answer was: this self is one making sense of himself without the burdens and constraints previous ones were hampered by. This self is learning from past things and moving forward. This is a self given permission to play, to enjoy things without expectation, and to be comfortable in his creative and physical skin. All of this can be felt on the album as it is rife with the radical acceptance of human complication and deep, righteous unburdening. Shayfer hopes this might resonate with his audience and possibly even help them find that new self for their own.
I wanted to end on a note of celebration rather than expectation, but Shayfer James is not one to even come close to resting on his laurels. He’s currently touring Canada and after that will go tour the UK and the EU. After that he tells me he’s already got the itch for a new album! This time he’ll be cloistering himself in the desert to see what he makes from that change in atmosphere. As a human I’m already exhausted on his behalf, but as a fan I’m absolutely excited. I wish nothing but love and gratitude to Shayfer and his team as he travels.
Summoning is out and it is beautiful. Please check it out, if only so I can have more people to sing it with.
Sam is unsure what exact words describe them best: Lunatic has been used, Gothic Romantic is apt, and Big ol’ Nerd is reductive but true. Mostly they just like stories in whatever form stories can be found. Sam specializes in Frankenstein, running “The Uncanny Productions” on YouTube, but they also dabble with podcasts, singing, and theatre as well. They have a DVD collection that’s long outgrown its shelf, a coffin they use as a desk, and an unrelenting joy for things that are spooky, ridiculous, or magical.
