Fish Out of Water artist performing again in home province

NASHVILLE – Country and Blues artist, Crystal Shawanda, said the release of her newest album, Fish Out of Water, was a defining moment in her career.

“I started out singing country music,” said Shawanda. “But my last few albums have had an obvious ‘bluesy’ sound to them, so, this new album really defines who I am as a singer and songwriter who blends traditional country and blues together.”

The album came out in October of this year, making it the Juno Award winning songstress’ fourth album. Shawanda will be performing in Brantford at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts this Thursday, November 24. With Special guest Logan Staats — an award winning singer and songwriter himself.

“I love the type of music I sing because I think it really helps me express who I am,” said Shawanda. “When I first set out for a singing career in Nashville years ago, it didn’t really go as I had planned and I ended up having a few setbacks that made me rethink how I was going to go about things — music’s always been an outlet for me and I love to share who I am with the people and audiences that come to my shows.”

Shawanda said that her shows are all about “connecting with the audience”, and that she loves being able to get “lost in the show” with everybody there.

“My shows always end up being very emotional,” she said. “Sometimes it feels like the audience and I are floating on stage in a way. It’s beautiful to see those that come to watch me sing let their guard down and just embrace the music.”

It means a lot to Shawanda when she can see individuals in the audience really connecting with her music.

“When I see someone swaying along to the music with me and just really letting go of whatever stresses they have going on and problems they are facing just to be with me for a few moments, it makes me really happy.”

Shawanda lives in Nashville now with her husband and is expecting her first biological child, but comes from Wikwemikong reserve on an island in Ontario; a community she says is filled with lots of colourful people, referring to their personalities and sense of humour. She said her family is responsibly for introducing her to Country and the blues.

“My family means so much to me, they’ve helped me so much along the way and I still rely on them,” she said, also mentioning that she calls her mother almost every second day to catch up, cry, or vent to. “My mom is my rock and has always been there for me no matter what.”

Shawanda is over-the-top excited to be performing this coming Thursday in Brantford and has lots of friends, old and new that she can’t wait to see again.

“I’m going to be singing a good mix of new and old songs of mine in Brantford,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to this show.”

Tickets for her show can still be purchased for $33. The show begins at 8 p.m., this Thursday, November 24.

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