All Ripe Now
The last two years have been eventful for Shawn McDonald—from seeing a best new artist nod withdrawn by the GMA, to a new direction on his latest project, Ripen.
by Jackie A. Chapman | posted 5/15/2006
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Seattle singer/songwriter Shawn McDonald recently released his third record in less than two years. That productivity actually cost him a shot at winning GMA's New Artist of the Year last year. He had been nominated for the award after his August 2004 debut, Simply Nothing, but when his second album, Live in Seattle, released in April 2005, he was ruled ineligible for the new artist nod—because GMA rules stipulate that a new artist's second album cannot release within a year of his/her debut. In this conversation, McDonald shares his feelings on that ruling, and talks about the content and direction of his new release, Ripen.
How did you feel about the withdrawn Dove Award nomination?
Shawn McDonald It's a pretty cool thought that I would get nominated. My family was a little more upset about [the withdrawn nomination] than I was. I had actually checked out for a week; I went out to the woods to a cabin to be alone with God when it all happened. When I got back, everyone knew about it. The award is cool but it's not necessary. That's not what defines my music or me. Perhaps God took it out for a reason, and I trust that fact to him.
Your debut, Simply Nothing, was written over a five-year period. How did you do your new record so quickly, especially while touring and still promoting the first record?
McDonald It was a definite challenge. I had to be a lot more intentional this time, continuously taking time to write about what first brought me here. I've been writing songs since the first record came out, so I felt prepared going in, but still had some spontaneous things happen.
Do you struggle to write songs that match or exceed the first batch?
McDonald The pressures are there; I experience it just like anybody else in any job. It's what you do with that pressure. I just write what I'm passionate about, not so much thinking about writing better. Musically, it's not the same record as the first one, but lyrically and heart-wise, it is. It's a continuation of who I am as a person. If anything, this record is less "poppy"—I didn't write any songs like "Gravity" and "Take My Hand." With [listeners] wanting to hear that sound, [the change in style] makes it a risky move. But God is portrayed in life and music, and I'm serious about Christ, so people who journey with me will see that this record is deeper and more mature.
Are you pulling from anywhere specifically for the songwriting and themes on Ripen?
McDonald I don't know that lyrically it's changed a ton. You're still going to find an extreme desperation of "I need God" and the coming of Christ—from the first song on. I think if anything, my relationship with God and Christ has grown tremendously [over this time]. That's the part that changed the most, the deepening.
Has anything or anyone specifically led to that maturing?
McDonald There is not just one thing; moreso, it's just life. I wrote a lot of those first songs when I was 22, 23, 24, and I'm 28 now. It's just experience in life. It's more how your mind naturally sees new things, and you learn through the experiences God is taking you through. I got married nine months ago, and I had to grow up a lot and be a man in areas that I wasn't.
How did you arrive at the album title?
McDonald: We asked our fans to name the record. They put in lots of ideas. I knew the direction I was going with the record, and wanted to focus on a metaphor of change. We had suggestions along the lines of butterfly and metamorphosis. "Ripen" was suggested, and I think it explained what I was going for in a fresh way that isn't overused.
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