SOUND Shaene Marie Pascal Releases First EP

from Source Weekly June 22, 2023

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your loved ones. “Wildman” was influenced by a trip to Yosemite where Pascal was inspired by the mind, words and perspectives of nature writer and explorer John Muir — in addition to the higher power of being outside, a topic of clear passion for Pascal. You can also hear a lovely violin in there… another instrument Pascal plays. “Sci Fi Fantasy” was released as her first single and already has a shiny 8,000 listens on Spotify. The song was evoked by her new found love of Marvel movies during the pandemic and how sometimes mundane things can really result in being brave heroic things, like going to shows alone and making new friends.

“It’s not monsters. It’s the telephone,” she sings.

“Spring Time” closes the album with reflections and sentiments of the often-brutal Oregon winters and longing for spring. The first half of the track starts out more melancholic, like the fogginess of winter — poetic remnants of rain on the rooftop and leaves on the ground. The main melody chants, “In the spring, I’ll be fine.” And in the second half, you feel the sun come out with a soft trumpet and background restaurant chatter, opening it up to a new season of sounds.

Pascal’s musical influences include an array of artists, such as St. Vincent, Madison Cunnigham and Wilco’s frontman, Jeff Tweedy. Both of Pascal’s parents are musicians, and “there were always guitars laying around the house,” she shared.