Alec Shaw is a collaborative group of musicians from all over Washington, brought together by Alec to create a unique and visionary sound, with influences from musicians like Paul McCartney and Young the Giant.
Alec fell in love with music from a young age when he started learning guitar at 9 years old and showed a strong passion and potential to go far in his new found talent. Ever since then he has expanded his knowledge and capabilities, venturing off to Berklee for the summer of his Junior year of high school and began exploring song writing and performance. He came back to Seattle with new inspiration and set out on creating his band while writing and recording his first Album, “Car Town.” The band debuted their first Album at Chop Suey in Seattle and pushed them forward into planning for future gigs. The band is playing shows together and growing as a family while working together to write their next album, which they hope to debut in 2017.
We asked Alec some questions about the influences on this album.
What is your all-time favorite song?
That’s a really hard question…I’d say songs stick with me through seasons, but I can say that one song that I always can go back to and love is “In My Life” off the Rubber Soul album. I love the sweet melodies with that classic squish squash Beatles sound. Also, pair the nostalgic lyrics with the song I heard as a child all the time in my house, and that’s just double nostalgic. Feels man.
Which song is perfect for a Road Trip?
“Life is a Highway” is the first song I thought of, but I also hate that song so I’m gunna say “Sweet Disposition”. It’s just got that adventure groove.
To which song do you like to clean?
All of them! You can’t clean to only one song. Kings of Leon comes up a lot.
What’s the perfect song to wake up with?
The sound of silence, and I don’t mean by Simon and Garfunkel; I mean actual silence… I’m not a morning person… If I had to choose it would be “La Mer” Charles Trenet. It’s a beautiful song and really inspires me.
What’s your favorite artist from your home city?
Well, my literal home town is Renton Washington just outside Seattle. Jimi Hendrix Grew up right down the street, and he’s a great of course.
Also being from the Seattle Nirvana is another favorite. Nirvana is special to me because they were the first grunge love of my childhood, not to mention the classic rock and roll Kurt Cobain story, and the fact they led the way in the 90s Grunge movement.
Which artist do you think is too underrated and which one is overrated?
I’m not sure It’s my place to say who’s underrated and overrated, but I think “Young The Giant” is a band that has some great music that everyone should hear I love how their guitarists use their Jazz influence with the alternative rock sound, and Sameer has some sick nasty vocals. I’d say Kanye, although he does make great music, probably doesn’t deserve to be worshiped like a God.
If you could be one artist for a day, who would that be?
Paul McCartney. I’d pop out a few songs for my next record while I have the mind of a genius.
What’s the best song to make love to? (…to ask someone out?)
Abstinence…
What’s the most beautiful lyric you’ve ever heard?
“No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. Till He returns or calls me home here in the power of Christ I’ll stand” This lyric from “In Christ Alone” is always a Tear jerker for me. “Till he returns or calls me home” I think I’m moved by the idea of being one day being with the Father where he calls home when I die. Kings Kaleidoscope does a great arrangement of this song.
At which place would you love to play a concert?
Playing an outdoor concert at the Seattle Center would be so cool. I grew up their, it’s my city and one of my favorite spots. It would be a great place to be living out my dream and sharing my music and heart with all the local people.
