Shannon Pelcher recently celebrated the release of her first record, Shannon Pelcher & The Iron Threads, on Dec. 18th with releases Philadelphia & Albany.  She made this record over the course of a year in living rooms and basements throughout Philadelphia with the members of the band.

Shannon has one of her great songs, Tightrope, on Tenlegs -she submitted it as part of the Butterfly Effect contest.  Shannon plans to make the full album available on Tenlegs in the coming weeks, but in the meantime make sure to check out Tightrope!

Here’s our interview with Shannon:

TENLEGS:  Can you tell us a bit about your song Tightrope?

SP:  This song illustrates the butterfly effect because it was inspired by Collum McCann’s novel, “Let The Great World Spin”. “McCann was inspired to use Phillipe Petit’s tightrope walk across the World Trade Towers as a 9/11 allegory.  My goal with “Tightrope” was to express how inter-connected we all are and that each one of us in our own way has to step out in the abyss and take the risk of falling. My favorite part of the song is ending “When you’re walking on the air don’t lose yourself to heaven’s stare, feel each step you take and remember that all of the risk is for beauty’s sake”. Both McCann’s novel and footage of Petit’s tightrope walk have had a powerful impact on my life because they came at moments when I needed to be reminded that all of the risk is for beauty’s sake. It is my hope that Tightrope continues the cycle of paying it forward and inspires someone else or at least makes them smile.

As an artist, what are your inspirations or muses that you turn to?

My inspiration mainly comes from the people in my life.  In general I am fascinated by people and their stories. I’m blessed to have a life filled with amazing people, with amazing stories.

Musically and artistically speaking I am really inspired by both jazz, rock and  folk music. Everything from Coltrane to PJ Harvey to John Prine. I also draw a lot of inspiration from novels and poetry.

How did you set the tone of this album?

I looked a lot to Clifford Jordan’s album “These are my Roots”. It’s Clifford Jordan playing the songs of Leadbelly. This album is a beautiful warm album that blends jazz and folk elements in the most perfect way. My goal with this records was to do the same, to blend elements of folk and jazz in a warm genuine way.

As an artist, what are some of the biggest challenges that you face and how do you overcome them?

I think the biggest challenge I face as an artist is time management. I’m always wishing I had more time to write songs, learn music and practice my instruments.  As an independent, unsigned artist you’re forced to balance paying the bills, growing as an artist as well as handling the many logistical and business aspects of being an artist.

You perform live…do you prefer that to being in the studio?

Although I love the recording process and can’t wait to get back into the studio, there is nothing I love more then connecting with an audience. I love performing live and feel really privileged to have the opportunity to share my songs with people face to face.

Any advice to upcoming musicians?

My advice would be to just play, play, play and enjoy every minute of it. Music is probably the most joyful thing on earth.