Album Notes

Born and raised in a small town in Ontario, Canada, Shawn has been playing the guitar and writing songs for over 10 years. Following his deep passion for music, Shawn graduated from the Music Industry Arts/Recorded Music Production program at Fanshawe College in London ON which enabled him to produce, record, and engineer this entire project. A recent graduate with a BA in Psychology from York University in Toronto ON, he has spent the last 2 years juggling his studies with the recording completion of ‘the Ode to Carl Rogers Album’ in basements, bedrooms and even kitchens of apartments in the Toronto area. Shawn’s talent and creativity extends beyond the technical aspects of the album as he played all of the instruments, including acoustic and electric guitars, piano, organ and ukulele. Lyrically, songs were born out of subject matter as lighthearted as driving adventures in his 10-year-old Honda Civic to solemn themes of war and homelessness. Yet as you listen, there is an unmistakable theme of hope woven throughout. Shawn integrates the influences of Dashboard Confessional, Dave Matthews, Death Cab for Cutie, Jack Johnson, Jewel Kilcher and Sufjan Stevens to make the Ode to Carl Rogers Album a meaningful creative work. The skillful songwriting and performances found on this record will resonate with enthusiasts of Acoustic, Indie, Emo and Progressive Folk Rock alike - it will challenge you to reflect as well as embrace the joy of being young!