SIMPLY SIX: Sean Kershaw

Sean Kershaw is a singer/songwriter from Brooklyn New York.

1. For many artists, they cite a defining moment for themselves when they knew they wanted to be a singer. For many it was the appearance of Elvis on the Ed Sullivan show, to another generation it was the Beatles’ appearance on Sullivan half a decade later. Is there such a defining moment for you?

In 8th grade in a German school lin Heidelberg, hearing "Whole Lotta Rosie" by AC/DC on somebody's cheap cassette recorder

2. When you’re not creating music what are you listening to? Who are some of your favorites?

Too many to list, but lately James Brown '67-'73, George Jones, early Blue Oyster Cult, Southern Culture on the Skids, Brian Eno, Peter Tosh, Willie Nelson

3. What would you say is your greatest moment so far as an artist, either on record or live?

here's a few, but lately our set at Brooklyn Country Music Festival '09 was pretty kickass if I do say so myself

4. Do you believe music can change the world or is just something to listen to? How much can music influence current events?

It can be a canary in a coal mine, pleasant (or obnoxious) background noise, a call to arms, or it can lull into a sense of complacency or carefully marketed & directed rebellion. Another observation: Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and all their friends couldn't get Bush defeated on '04 but they helped propel the sense of urgency that brought us Obama in '08

5. How has technology affected the music industry? How has technology affected your career as a musician?

Would you like me to write a book? Put it this way: You can now record a demo in my bedroom by yourself in one evening without any instruments or (as I would do it) record it on Garageband w my acoustic guitar, convert to MP3 and email it to my bandmates to learn for the next show or recording session. Which, again, might be done in someone's living room on a laptop with some quality mics and sound great. You can cherrypick all of the technology of the last 50 (or 50000) years. The history of music is to a large extent the history of technology, and yet some simple constants remain. For instance, a good song is a good song, period.

6. Now for my Barbara Walters question: If you were a pair of shoes what type of shoes would you be?

A workboot, a cowboy boot, and a flipflop. Up to your imagination where I'd wear 'em.