RSVP to watch the free LIVE broadcast ► cr8.lv/2the-shins
We are so stoked to have The Shins’ lead songwriter and frontman James Mercer come to our Seattle studio for a rare and exclusive live acoustic performance! And before the set, James sits down to chat with our founder and CEO, Chase Jarvis, about how he’s made a life as an artist.
If anyone knows the ebb and flow of a music career, it’s James. He started The Shins in Albuquerque over 21 years ago. In that time, the band earned major successes with two albums on the Billboard Top 10 list and commercial popularity. Now based in Portland, James remains the band’s creative force. Having gone through lineup transitions, massive burnout and a five year hiatus, James recently released Heartworms, an album he self-produced. And he’s learned a ton about himself in the process.
That’s not James’ only creative project. Though he’s a self-described “non-tech guy,” he partnered with Northwest design firm The Brigade to create an app called Pasted. From the photos in your camera roll, the app gives you filters, stickers, brightly colored backdrops, and a lot of masking, to create a collage with a "homemade" punk-rock look. James even used the app to design the band's first single and he’s hoping other bands can use it to do the same.
Hear Chase and James dig into all the details of his storied journey as a dedicated artist. As creatives we’re hungry to know James’ take on:
Longevity and stamina. How do you stay motivated and inspired after decades in the industry, dealing with the “what’s next” feeling and post-achievement comedown?
The artist-as-entrepreneur paradigm. Whether they like it or not, all artists are also entrepreneurs. What does “entrepreneur” mean to James?
Collaboration: How do you develop the soft skills to the business? When do you compromise on creative differences and when do you decide to cut ties? And how do you decide what companies to work with? Small indie, big indie and a major - James has worked with them all.
PS - We've got a handful of VIP tickets left that we'll be giving away-- watch this space for more details!
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