We had a chat with emerging North London duo Shanakee following the release of their anthemic and thoughtful debut single ‘This Town’
It’s early days for North London-based indie rock outfit Shanakee, a inspired by the Gaelic term for “storyteller”, but judging from their recent debut single ‘This Town’, the band look to have put together a formula for an anthemic, narrative-led style that is packed full of dynamism and charismatic allure.
The track delves into some of the relatable pitfalls that come with growing up in a small town, the dead end jobs, the need to get away and do something that feels bigger and more significant, and the scope of their sound does a great job of articulating that struggle within you. The track is a really encouraging debut from the band, and we wanted to get to know a bit more about them, their journey, and what else they have planned for the future.
Who TF are Shanakee?
We are an indie rock band based in London and Lancing and have a shared love for anthemic music.
How long have you been making music?
Quite a while now, but as Shanakee we’ve been making music for under a year.
Why do you make music?
For me (Niall) it’s also been a big part of my life and how I like to express myself.
What are your biggest influences?
Sam Fender, the War on Drugs and Tom Petty
What would you say has been your best moment so far?
We were lucky enough to go away for a few days and record at Woodworm Studios in Oxfordshire to record the final tracks to our debut EP that was pretty special.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Raw, uplifting music.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
Jools Holland for sure if we ever got to that level then we’d definitely be on the right path.
We love your debut single ‘This Town’, what more can you tell us about it?
It’s about being young and the pressures that society puts on you, working jobs that suck the life out of you to make a living and rising up against that.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
Our next London show is at Jaguar Shoes in Shoreditch on the 3rd February, be great to see you there.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
Definitely our mums and loved ones for sure.
