Robynn Shayne is an Austin, TX based singer, songwriter, and Country recording artist who has been sharing her sweeter than sweet ear candy with the World for the past 10 years. Robynn has played shows in Las Vegas with Gary Sinise for Salute to The Troops, travels to Ireland and The UK to play for her fans across the pond, has continued to be an official MusicFest artist in Steamboat Springs, and plays the Bluebird Café in Nashville every year. Robynn is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Americana Music Association, and Austin Texas Musicians. She is also sponsored by The National Beer of Texas, Lone Star Beer!
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Robynn about the latest music, motivations, challenges, and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I’m from Austin, Texas and my style of music is Traditional Country. I love to honor the classic Country music tradition, while bringing in modern influences. I’m particularly inspired by Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, Waylon Jennings, and Loretta Lynn. I wrote a song called “Coming Home” about soldiers going off to war and coming back to civilian life and trying to cope with life after war, that reflects this fusion of old and new.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
Music has always been an integral part of my life. Growing up, my parents exposed my brother Shane and I to all types of music, but it was country music that really resonated with me. After Shane passed away at 20 years old, I knew I had to honor him and keep his memory alive by continuing something he was so passionate about. Music was the only way that I could express the intricate emotions that I had bottled up inside, and it slowly became my lifeline. I found solace and comfort in creating something from my own pain, and that’s how my journey in the music business began.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
My latest single is dedicated to our soldiers, exploring the topics of war, coming home and on how difficult it can be to make that transition back to civilian life. While still staying in my traditional country/Americana/Honky Tonk style, I feel I was able to explore this specific theme with a much more intense passion behind it. I wanted to try and create an accessible song that people could listen to and really get a sense of what our soldiers go through and how it affects them. I feel like I was able to open up a new chapter with this single and explore different levels of emotion in a format that still pays homage to my roots.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
The biggest challenge I faced as a creative during these unprecedented times was the lack of collaboration opportunities due to social distancing. I had to adapt by utilizing video conferences and audio sharing to work with producers and other collaborators remotely. To keep the creative fires burning during this time I focused on writing songs that gave me an emotional outlet, like my latest single about soldier’s experiences after war. I also looked for online courses on writing, listening to new music, and exploring new genres for inspiration. Having an online sounding board of other songwriters and creatives also helped me maintain momentum in my creative work.
What was the last song you listened to?
Well, I have two that I just recently listened to and loved! “Trenches” by Bri Bagwell and “Tennessee Orange” by Megan Moroney.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
I prefer vinyl. I love the feel of the grooves and the warmth of the sound. I think it creates a better listening experience than other media. However, I do use streaming platforms like Apple Music to listen to new music and to explore new genres I haven’t heard before. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing quite like a mixed tape or a mixed CD back in the day!
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
The best place to connect with me and follow my journey is on my official website, robynnshayne.com. You can also stay up to date with my latest music, videos, and tour dates on my social media accounts which are @robynnshayne on Instagram and Twitter, and @robynnshayne on Facebook.
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Absolutely! I would just like to say thank you for taking the time to learn a bit more about me and my music. I’m really passionate about creating and performing music that reflects the beauty and the struggle of everyday life, and I hope that it in some way can help people connect and heal. Thanks again for your time!
