Interview: Ottawa Singer-Songwriter Abe Shep Discusses His New EP "Unplugged"
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“I kept in mind how Bob Marley would pour his heart out in his music in such a powerful way when he would talk about socio-political issues, and I just kind of soaked up all that inspiration with my own concept. ”
How did you get started writing music and who were some musicians that influenced you artistically early on?
Early on I was influenced by all kinds of music. I was 14-15 when I began writing songs. But some of my earliest finished songs I began were influenced by bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Doors, Incubus and Jimi Hendrix.
Soon after, reggae made its way into my soul and I connected with artists such as Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Don Carlos and Freddie McKay.
Congratulations on the release of your new EP "Unplugged"; tell us about your creative process for the development of its four songs, and long it took to complete.
Thank you! Well the creative process of these songs came at different periods. I believe 2012 was the year that “Full Force” and “The Wild Animals” came into fruition.
“Full Force” was completed in 2012, while the idea of the “Wild Animals” came that year but was fully completed years later (can't specify the year in which it was fully done) A friend of mine knew I had a new found love for the reggae genre, we would actively get together and exchange music. He told me he was still longing for his ex girlfriend to come back into his life and wanted me to highlight that in a song. My initial response was "I don't do requests. I just can't give you a song because you want it. It has to just happen naturally" I happened to say that mainly to myself, but hours later I started working on this reggae influenced guitar lick, and the words started to come. "Every day he awaits her reply, hoping that she will one day decide to be his bride"; those words were specific to my friend. So I advised him to "Push with full force, don't let yourself fall off the course", trying to give him motivation.
The “Wild Animals” came about after “Full Force” was completed and I decided to cover topics regarding ivory poaching and animal cruelty. And I was also considering being a vegetarian at the time also, hence where the lyrics "There's no need to sacrifice the animals flesh & blood" come from. That was a direct lyric stating that eating animals is not a necessity but a choice. The “Wild Animals” line interestingly came from the classic reggae ad libs you hear a number of reggae singers using to get the crowd excited "Wayo! Wayo yo yo!", I flipped that word around and said Wild instead. Then I decided to call the song “Wild Animals”. It's truly beautiful to see the inspiration that I've taken from great reggae singers and see it making my songs come to life.
“Have Faith” was me basically trying to replicate the mid 70's song “Blind Alley” by The Emotions. I was in love with that groovy soul sound and wanted to do my best to replicate it. I believe I was unsuccessful at doing so, but instead I created my own modern sound with that same kind of rhythm/feel in mind. This came about around late 2015-early 2016.
“I Dig You” was conceived very quickly. I picked up a friend’s guitar in 2016ish (while at his house) and just started improvising. I didn't write a single lyric down. Instead I recorded the whole improv on my phone. I don't know what I was doing, but I had something in mind that was very typical and almost cliche. I may have been thinking about Aretha Franklin and that's probably why I was singing in such a high falsetto register.
These songs were all done in a day in a live performance kind of setting. These were recorded roughly around 3-4 hours at a church.
One of the songs you mentioned on the EP, "Wild Animals", addresses animal rights. Why was it important for you to deal with this topic?
It was important for me to deal with this topic because the issue of Ivory poaching was so bothersome to me. The fact that intelligent animals such as elephants were being butchered daily for the purpose of being made into jewelry and decorations is absolutely deplorable and unacceptable.
I kept in mind how Bob Marley would pour his heart out in his music in such a powerful way when he would talk about socio-political issues, and I just kind of soaked up all that inspiration with my own concept.
Were there any songs that you developed that did not make the final track list? If so, why not?
I actually intended on releasing an album prior to this one that had a full band kind of sound. I had been working on it for years but it just wasn't coming out the way I wanted it to. Those songs have more of a Bluesy Rock and Soft-Rock/Pop kind of feel. Very different from the 4 songs that are on “Unplugged” and they were written a few years before some of the songs. I intend on releasing those songs as the follow up to “Unplugged”. That will be another 4 track EP.
When someone listens to "Unplugged" for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the experience?
I want them to feel inspired. Whether the music inspires them to pick up an instrument and write and sing songs of their own, or motivate them to make some positive change when it comes to relationships or their view of the world and all of it's treachery.
All in all I really hope the music can resonate with some and they can relate to some of the content and enjoy it.