Shana Morrison Interview

Salem News

Shana Morrison, rock daughter, plays Salem tomorrow night.

SALEM - Shana Morrison knows who she is; she declares it on her latest album, "That's Who I Am," a selection of original folk and rock tunes with an R&B touch.

She also knows that she is rock royalty. Her father is Van Morrision, and growing up around him and his fellow musicians is what got her behind a microphone. She's now an established artist herself and promoting "That's Who I Am," her and her band Caledonia's third CD.

This weekend, the singer/songwriter is coming to the North Shore for her first performance in the area. Before her show, she called in from the West Coast to chat about her sound, her first time performing, and who inspires her musically (it's not just her father).

Where do you live?

San Francisco.

Did you grow up there?

I've lived here most my life, but I was born in upstate New York.

How long have you been performing professionally?

Since 1994. I started my own band (Shana Morrison and Caledonia) in '96,
but before that, I played with other bands.

What kind of music do you perform?

I sing a lot of different styles. In my live performances, I can range from
folk and country to rock and blues to R & B.

Were you always musical?

I've always been in choirs and choruses and musicals. I was always into singing.

How did you get into singing?

When I graduated from college, my dad was touring and it was a three-hour show and there were a bunch of guest artists. (Irish singer) Brian Kennedy was there and he asked me to sing a couple songs with him. I got the performance bug from that. It kind of got me really excited about it. That was my first year out of college. I've always been writing (music), and I started singing with different bands in the San Francisco area. I sang as much as I could to get a lot of practice and then put together a band of my own.

How do you chose the music for your albums?

I always perform songs before I record them. We'll play a lot of songs and let the audience decide which ones they like and those are the ones we end up recording.

Are you touring right now?

It's not a real tour. Last summer, we did some big tours. This summer I'm taking it easy, just doing a couple weeks here and there.

Do you still perform with your dad?

Yeah, whenever our paths cross, if I'm in England or Ireland (Van Morrison lives in Belfast), I get to sit in and sing duets with him. I actually just sang with him last month in Boston at The Opera House.


What artists do you listen to?
I like the Decemberists right now. They've got that Irish-y folk-y sound. I listen to a lot of female Irish music. That style is one that I love. I (also) love Solomon Burke. I like Erykah Badu. Shelby Lynne, Joss Stone.

What do you want people to know before you come to Salem?

I'm just supporting the new CD. I'll be playing new and old music. I've never played in Salem, so everything will be new.

-Rebecca Schoonmaker

If you go:

* What: Shana Morrison and Caledonia in concert
* When: Tomorrow at 9:45 p.m.
* Where: Bay Bridge Restaurant and Night Club, 29 Bridge St., Salem
* How: Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Call 978-745-8881.