Today we’d like to introduce you to Seán McKenna.
Seán, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I began writing songs in college. Originally prefacing them by describing them as “joke” songs – when really, I just knew they weren’t very good. So, it was an easy thing to hide behind. Little by slowly writing songs I started to be able to take more seriously.
All the while I was playing all sorts of instruments (jack of all, master of zero, really) and began playing drums – albeit, not very well – in an art rock band that gigged regularly around the Metro-Boston area, the North Shore and the Merrimack Valley. I didn’t write any music for this project, but it gave me something to be emotionally invested in, as I was dealing with a great deal of mental health difficulties at the time. All the while, I continued to write songs on the side.
During this time my songwriting grew, very gradually. About two years later, I felt the need to leave this band and start my own band (which eventually became Lay Low Moon) along with bassist Dylan Sullivan. Within a year or two, the band grew, very gradually. Featuring members (or former members) of The Bridgebuilders and As the Sparrow at various points in time. In 2014, we released two EPs entitled ‘One Summer’ and ‘One Winter’ before I eventually decided to downsize back to a solo project (still under the monicker of Lay Low Moon) in 2015.
After making tons of connections working at Club Passim and the Lizard Lounge simultaneously, and religiously attending the Lizard Lounge’s open mic challenge for lengthy stretches of time, and playing Club Passim’s campfire. festival for a few years, I eventually met Daniel Radin of The Novel Ideas, and was then able to meet plenty of other wonderful people through him. Daniel would go on to produce my most recent album (‘On This Day Last Year’ – which was just released on August 17, 2018).
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My main source of creativity is writing songs. That’s sort of where it all starts for me. Without the songs, the recordings aren’t recorded, the performances aren’t performed, and life would be very quiet for me.
I almost 100% write straight out of my personal life and I write about the people in it. And just hope that I’m as honest as I can be, but I find that to be a hard thing to judge for myself. I view it as a form of therapy for myself. – Call it selfish, but it’s the only way I know how to write. And it’s my favorite thing to do.
Part of the reason why I do what I do with it, is so that other people can see themselves in it. That’s kind of why I don’t imagine ever having a photo of myself on an Album/EP/Single cover. If you’re seeing too much of me in it, you’re missing the point entirely. That being said, the only experience I’ve had is my own, so I write and sing my own. To me, it’s all about sharing “experience, strength & hope” with one another. As well as admission of weakness, mistakes, hopelessness etc. etc. with one another.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
I, for one, have a tendency of being an isolator by nature. Although, I’ve found that juuuust the right open mic to regularly attend (for budding songwriters, at least) can be a great place to connect with other like-minded people. And Club Passim’s campfire. is also a great way to meet so many other great artists?
I also took on jobs at music venues I loved (and hoped to play) in order to make connections with other artists for years. And if you have the means, and the energy, just going to others’ shows can be huge. It’s good to get some “support karma” too. Although I could be better about that, myself.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My latest album is on all major digital platforms (such as Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music and many others), but you can also download or order CDs from my website (www.laylowmoon.com). I also play semi frequently around the greater Boston area, (CDs would also be available at shows). Those would be the best way to show support.
Information on shows and releases can be found on said website, or on our social media (@laylowmoon on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram) or on Bandsintown/Songkick. You can also find an Email List submission form on our website – short cut here: http://www.laylowmoon.com/mailinglist.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laylowmoon.com
- Phone: (617) 299-1331
- Email: laylowmoon@gmail.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/laylowmoon
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/laylowmoon
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/laylowmoon
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mPanq8kkAkQ5iMJ7Nw5s0
Image Credit:
Promotional Photo: Michael D. Spencer
Beach – Album Cover & Release Poster Photo: Will Radin
Live Photo: Matt Smith
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