Whether it be producing their own music, DJing up in the clubs, serving vocals for Hercules & Love Affair or dipping at the balls, Chicago’s Shaun J. Wright is a constant creative force in the community. Last year they relaunched Twirl Recordings, the label they co-founded, while today marks another milestone as they unveil their debut solo EP, entitled Sister of the Night.
The three-track EP encapsulates everything that Shaun excels at, representing their journey to this point. ‘Superficial (Is That A Crime)’ is giving us a Minneapolis moment, full of attitude, provocation and a badass bassline. ‘Have Mercy On Me’ moves the party to Chicago with Shaun saying so much with only the barest of vocals. The power is all there in the beat and the ‘Oooooh baby.’ While the title track is a gorgeous tribute with all the energy and emotion of a last dance of the night.
Loverboy catches up with Shaun to discuss their creative process, gay awakenings and Mariah Carey’s pen game.
Shaun, congrats on Sister of the Night EP. What were the concepts, musical and otherwise, you had when creating this?
Thank you. This was an organic effort so I didn’t begin it with any overarching concept in mind, besides ‘Sister Of The Night’. I began the drum pattern for ‘Superficial’ while in Australia last February. The melody for the chorus coincided, but the rest of the song took some time to shape. ‘Have Mercy On Me’ was born from a jam session. ‘Sister Of The Night’ was birthed out of a need to express some deep emotions.
This is your debut EP. What stars came into alignment for you to be releasing it in February 2024?
I worked with a few other producers to craft, what I consider, a really strong debut EP, nearly a decade ago. After completion, I realized that I wanted to release a project that was completely self-produced as my first solo effort. During this time I’ve been working on my skills as a producer and songwriter. It’s been quite the process. More than anything, I feel ready to speak for myself as an artist.
Superficial is such a slinky start to the EP. Serving up so much Minneapolis, I love it. Tell us about your connection to that sound?
Thank you! I was raised on a diet of Prince, early Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam…basically anything with a Linn Drum. The sassy, funky sound of that 80’s, spearheaded by Prince, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, has always resonated with me. It’s so fun and carefree.
Some artists try to bring that sound but fail to modernise it. What tricks did you do to keep it fresh?
I wasn’t attempting to replicate the sound to an exact degree. That era has shaped my aesthetic in profound ways so I feel it’s okay to borrow a bit. However, I always want to make sure that my energy permeates most. I aim to marry my inspirations with my own sensibilities.
There are various voice notes through the song. Were they all recorded especially?
Those vocal contributions are from my dearest friends Sir Jacobs and Jeff Lewis. I wanted to flesh out the narrative a bit more by adding interactions with real life characters. I threw them some lines and they sent them back via iPhone voice notes. I recorded my spoken parts in a similar fashion so the sound quality would match. The style harkens back to Klymaxx’s ‘The Men All Pause’ and The Mary Jane Girl’s ‘Boys’.
The lyrics are super fun, ‘Won’t check your pockets as long as your zipper works fine.’ It feels like a very specific character. How did you get into the role when writing? Was there a specific outfit or drink involved to get in the zone?
Ha! No drinks were needed during the writing process, but, to successfully execute that line in real life, one or two cocktails may be required. It’s honestly just an extension of my personality. I wanted the song to feel irreverent and playful. I’ve been missing that tongue-in-cheek attitude on the dancefloor.
‘Have Mercy On Me’ has such a pleasing beat and brings so much energy with only minimal vocals. What determines whether a track needs a vocal or not for you?
There was a significant period of time where I was adamant about creating solo productions that didn’t have any vocals. I wanted to prove myself as a “real” producer, not just a vocalist. I realized that arbitrary rule, which I self decreed, was silly and unnecessary. I can carry a tune so why not use that to my advantage?
Now, I’m more interested in how to create arrangements, both conventional and experimental, where my voice can add texture. I’ve shifted away from thinking about my voice as a bonus. It’s an integral part of my musical expression. I’m sure there will be some tracks in the future that don’t include vocals, but currently I want to employ all of the colors at my disposal to paint the most vivid picture.
You’ve mentioned the Chicago vibe on this track and I wondered if you could explain that Chicago energy to someone living in Europe, ie me? Haha…
There are waves of different movements always shifting and rubbing against one another in Chicago, so I don’t want to portray the vibe here as monolithic. That said, what I gravitate towards most is the more forward, almost brash, flair that weaves through a lot of what would be described as jacking house. It’s a pumping energy that’s unique and palpable.
This beat actually teleports me back to one of my favourite cinematic musical moments. Growing up and watching Catherine Tramell & Roxy dance in Basic Instinct to La Tour’s ‘Blue’ was so major for me. At 12 I was dreaming of clubs being like this. Haha…Do you have your own equivalent awakening?
Seeing the NYC club kids on talk shows like Geraldo, Donahue, and Joan Rivers, in the 90s was so epic. I knew the music I liked was also integral in the underground world. I desperately wanted to experience that as a teenager. I grew up right outside of Chicago, so I’d never seen anything as outrageous. Their boldness seemed so alien and familiar, simultaneously. Whenever they flashed across my tv screen, I would be like, “Look Mom, my future awaits!”
Last track ‘Sister of the Night’ has major final song vibes. I audibly gasped at the 0.48 second mark. Beautiful. What did you want to create with this?
I appreciate your kind words. I was hoping to create something gentle and intimate.
Are you singing about someone specific? Is this a tribute?
It’s in memory of my dear friend and sister, Aerea Negrot, who transitioned in October 2023. She was one of the most fabulous and beautifully dynamic humans I’ve ever encountered. ‘Sister Of The Night’ is my love letter to her.
The label you co-founded, Twirl, relaunched last year. Why the relaunch and as well as Sister of the Night what are you plans for it in 2024?
Twirl consists of releases primarily aimed towards the dancefloor. With so many uncertainties these past few years, Alinka & I thought it best to align with the times and release music again once clubs were consistently open. We plan to churn out more quality releases from her & I, both solo & collaborative, and music from others that we truly dig.
As someone who was in your own words ‘more of a spectator than an actual walker’, how do you see the voguing scene today?
I walked consistently for about two years and dipped in and out of the scene for some time afterwards. YouTube changed everything because it made older footage and current balls more accessible to viewers. It’s such a global scene now and it feels like there’s multiple balls every weekend. Now, I’m able to treat viewing balls like watching a sports channel. The drama on the sidelines and the judges panels are just as entertaining as the performances!
Lastly we are named after the biggest selling single of 2001 so always ask, what is your favourite Mariah song and why? I feel if Sister of the Night was a Mariah song then maybe it would be this…haha. That Rick James energy. <3
Ooooooh, this is a tough one. Mariah Carey is an incredibly talented singer and songwriter. I love so much of her catalog so it’s difficult to pinpoint one favorite. One day it’s ‘Breakdown’. The next day it’s ‘Say Somethin’. Today, I’ll go with ‘Crybaby’. Her pen game is on ten and she’s flowing like a rapper throughout the verses. By the end Mother is EMOTING, you hear me?!
The Sister of the Night EP is out now via Twirl Recordings.
