QRD – How old were you when you first realized you wanted to be a professional musician?

Shaun – I was about 9 or 10 when I realized that music was always going to be a big part of my life.  I used to make my own “mix tapes” by recording songs off the radio onto cassette.  It was a red boombox.  I only had 2 cassettes, so they got taped over every week.  I got my first guitar at 11.

QRD – What are a few highlights of your musical career?

Shaun – Past, playing guitar in a three piece at a battle of the bands in high school.  We put the band together on a Monday; played the contest on a Friday.  It was the most fun I ever had on stage.  With my current ambient project, having an improvised jam with Craig Hilton, Will Connor, & Steve Beresford in London.  The space was posh.  I could feel the crowd breathe when we ended.  It was a terrific experience.

QRD – At what age did you decide you wanted to become a father?

Shaun – I knew I would have at least one child since I was a teenager.  It always felt right to me & I always felt that I have something to offer.  It was just a matter of finding the woman who it would feel right with together.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your family has had on your career?

Shaun – The only negative impact that comes to mind is the scheduling issue.  I am not really in a position to afford infant daycare, so my wife & I split duties as much as possible.  Our daughter goes with at least one of us wherever we go.  This makes recording & playing shows more challenging than before.  It also makes the extra time I spend supporting my friends’ projects a little more complicated.
A positive aspect would be that I find myself playing acoustic instruments around the baby more & trying to see how she reacts to music & different instruments.  Also, I sing more, & it’s good practice even though I really suck at it.  I find that trying to look at music from a baby’s perspective can lead to some interesting creative ideas.

QRD – What are some positive & negative impacts your career has had on your family?

Shaun – No doubt that when I schedule a show or get invited to play music with somebody it leaves my wife in a position to have to watch our daughter without my help.  So again, the negative boils down to scheduling.  Sometimes she might really need to get something done, but I had a show planned so when I step out for the evening it becomes more of a challenge for her. 
On a positive note, I have read about music being a huge part of speech development & coordination & rhythm.  I understand that many cultures expose their children to music early on.  It makes sense to sing out words that help babies learn.  I am happy to have music as part of my life & hopefully it will help my daughter learn things in a neat way.

QRD – Has your daughter effected the music you make &/or listen to?

Shaun – Yes.  With regards to what I generally put in my stereo at home I try to find something that might be interesting to a very first time listener.  Esquivel & Frank Zappa come to mind.  I usually leave the Ministry or Godflesh type stuff for when my wife is watching the baby.  With regards to making music I am trying to use different sound sources, such as xylophone or concertina, as opposed to guitar or noise boxes.  Maybe instead of a soundtrack to a horror film, I have been thinking more of a soundtrack to a cartoon.

QRD – Have you had problems with the lack of steady money from a musical career providing the security you feel necessary in your household?

Shaun – Lack of steady money from music has been an issue for the last 15 years, so it really hasn’t been that much of an adjustment.

QRD – Given the limitations having a family has on being a touring musician, would you have toured more earlier in life if you’d known?

Shaun – Yes.  I should have started touring several years ago instead of just 2 years ago.  Might have made a big difference.  Although I don’t feel like I CAN’T do it now, but more that I need to be more creative & responsible about HOW I do it.

QRD – Do you think being a father and a musician has an impact on your community?

Shaun – I hope so.  I think that if my peers see first hand that I can make it work & be happy, then maybe they will truly believe that it can work for them if they choose.

QRD – Would you rather see your child eventually become a musician or parent?

Shaun – A musician OR a parent?  Let’s see.  I hope to see my child do both, as long as that is what she wants.  I have a feeling though, that music will be a part of her life long before she becomes a parent. 

QRD – Both family & music seem like things that will take up as much of your time as you’re willing to put in.  How do you end up dividing your time?

Shaun – Not easy.  Sometimes it really isn’t dividing your time, but meshing childcare & music into one thing.  I can print CDs while holding & talking with my baby.  That’s not really making music, but it’s still a part of what I do.  Working with a baby’s attention span is a big part of it.  When she’s had enough of me, I can sit her right next to me & run a mix or something without really holding her & let her play.  Using my time wisely when my wife is taking care of the baby is the best way to get anything accomplished.

QRD – What does your daughter think of your music?

Shaun – Not much right now at this point.  She’s still quite young to have preferences like that.  Although, she doesn’t cry when I have played my music, so I guess that’s a good thing.

QRD – Do you think you could ever do a musical project with your child?

Shaun – Yes, & I am looking forward to it.  In fact we did an EP.

QRD – Any words of advice to young people?

Shaun – None of this is easy so you best be ready to work at it. 

Links:
Official Promute Website
Official Blondena Music Website
Official Shaun Sandor Website
Promute on MySpace
Bicameral Mind on MySpace
 
Other QRD interviews with Shaun Sandor:
Interview with Shaun Sandor of Promute (October 2013)
Label owner interview with Shaun Sandor of Blondena (March 2013)