India Shawn heads for the ‘Outer Limits’ at the Masquerade
The pop-R&B songwriter talks her joint EP with James Fauntleroy ahead of her headlining gig
Pop-R&B songwriter India Shawn is feeling antsy.
In March, she and friend James Fauntleroy (Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar) released Outer Limits. This joint EP has been billed as experimental R&B, though Shawn flirts with other genres, too: “Let Me Show You” sounds like a lost track from Quincy Jones’s The Dude, the 1981 solo album that marked his transition from jazz to pop. “Stay Classy, San Diego” sets Shawn’s ethereal voice to grittier guitar riffs, as if inspired by Paramore’s Hayley Williams.
Now that Outer Limits is out, Shawn wants to see what she can do outside of Atlanta. She has had a publishing deal with Universal/Zone 4 since 2011, though now she wants to tour the world and eventually move back to her native Los Angeles to be closer to the music industry. For now, though, Shawn is focusing on her headlining show at the Masquerade on Sun., April 19, where she will perform from Outer Limits and her 2012 debut Origin.
CL caught up with her to discuss how she’s testing her own boundaries, from working with James Fauntleroy to singing a hook for Ludacris.
You literally told James Fauntleroy that you wanted to go to the outer limits for your joint EP.
I was definitely doing what was natural for me, but I wanted to experiment. I’ve never been a character or outside of myself. So when we met up, I said, “I want to go where I’ve never gone before. Let’s go to the outer limits.” And who better to do it with than James Fauntleroy? It was the combination of feeling more like an adult and unafraid of what people think, and sitting with this genius who’s fearless.
“Stay Classy, San Diego” stands out. I can see Kelly Clarkson singing that.
If you really listen to the music, each song is a different world. “Outer Limits” is funky. “Mermaid Song” is a beautiful, synth-driven song. I agree that “Stay Classy, San Diego” stands out, though, because it’s more alternative. That started on acoustic guitar, but we wanted to flesh it out. So with the help of my producer Prem Midha, we added guitars and drums. It gives me a chance to get outside of the R&B box. I’m a big fan of a lot of different types of music. I love Hayley Williams of Paramore; I can pretend I’m her when I perform that song.
You alternate between working on experimental projects like Outer Limits and with mainstream artists such as Ludacris. Does that ever feel like a conflict of interests?
No. Of course when you’re working with other people, you’re tailoring it to what they do. But I don’t think that interferes with what I do. It’s just a collaboration — making music. Every song is an experiment, in my mind.
What was it like to work with Ludacris for Ludaversal’s “This Has Been My World,” anyway?
I grew up listening to Luda, reciting his lyrics with my cousin and being a big fan of his. He needed a female artist to come in and sing, so my manager called me in. I was super nervous, but he’s really chill and cool. The second go-around, I was able to go to New York. Just Blaze produced me — another “How did I get here?” moment.
What else do you want of your music career?
Well, Outer Limits was a collaborative project; I don’t consider it to be my second album. I want to experiment with some of the sounds that we used and create a new sound for my next project.
What I hope is next is a tour that allows me to take this music abroad. I’ve never been outside the United States. It’s necessary at this point. I get all these tweets and Facebook messages from people all over the world: “Come to Spain!” So I know that there’s a market for me in other places. I gotta get out of here.
Which songs are you performing at the Masquerade?
I’m going to do a few songs from my first album Origin, like “Like Nobody Else.” Of course I’m doing mostly Outer Limits songs: the title track, “Stay Classy, San Diego.” I know people love “Mermaid Song,” so I’m doing that one. I’m trying to figure out a cool cover song, too. If you come up with anything, let me know.
Who or what inspires you to test your own limits?
People ask me what kind of music I listen to, and honestly, I listen to all my friends. Atlanta is filled with underground artists who are making amazing music; I think it’s a great testing ground for new and experimental music. The people here inspire me to test my limits and experiment with sounds, themes and ideas — redefine my vision, really.
With Elhae and 6lack. $10. 7 p.m. Sun., April 19. Masquerade. 695 North Ave. 404-577-8179. www.masqueradeatlanta.com.