She fronted the rock trio Crowsdell in the 90's, recording two albums, Dreamette and In the curve of an arm. Both featuring her intense writing, playing and singing.
Her first solo album, Flightsafety (1999) featured a gentle acoustic sound. Her next release, Maps of Tacit (2000) brought a more vocally aggressive approach. This was further developed on her next two albums, Dyed in the Wool (2001) and Over the Sun (2004), which were both recorded with Steve Albini.
After a collaboration with French musician Yann Tiersen (Yann Tiersen & Shannon Wright, 2004), the works that followed moved in a gentler direction, mixing warm folk and rock songs with moodier pieces. These albums included Let in the Light (2007), Honeybee Girls (2009), and Secret Blood (2010).
Her next album, In Film Sound (2013), incorporated more raw and harsh indie rock elements reminiscent of earlier works. Later, on Division (2017), she experimented with a fragile keyboard-based sound incorporating sampling and electronic beats. Her most recent release, Providence (2019), also has a haunting sound mainly based on piano.
She's a frequent road warrior, playing shows everywhere from South Dakota to Brazil. Her live shows are emotionally charged, unbridled pieces of rock and roll, featuring Shannon's trademark vocal howl and multi-instrumental palette. Shannon was handpicked by Sleater-Kinney and Nick Cave to open some of their US tour dates.
Steadfast And True
Shannon Wright Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are hovering 'round my head
If only you could try to resist
Come now, wont you try to forget
Steadfast and true
Gentle are few
When everything just slips away
So glad to see you smiling
On this new morning with me
Steadfast and true
Gentle are few
When these thoughts just get in our way
Steadfast and true
Gentle are few
When everything just slips away...
The opening lines of Shannon Wright’s song Steadfast And True invoke a feeling of anxiety and unease, as the persona expresses feeling like a “barrel of dread” that is hovering around their head. The weight of this dread seems to be coming from an external force, as evidenced by the plea for whoever is causing it to “try to resist” and “forget”. This sets the tone for a song that explores the struggle to stay positive and remain unwavering in the face of adversity.
However, despite the seemingly overwhelming sense of dread, the chorus serves as a counterpoint to this, with the repeated assertion that there are still things that are “steadfast and true” in life. These could be interpreted as the people or things who provide a source of comfort and security, even as the world around us feels unstable and temporary. The admission that “gentle are few” highlights the preciousness of these constants in a world that can be turbulent and unpredictable.
The final lines of the song are an affirmation of the power of connection and the joy that can be found in small moments. The persona expresses happiness to see their companion “smiling”, and the repetition of the chorus becomes a reminder to cherish the things that remain dependable, even as everything else feels like it’s “slipping away”.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a barrel of dread
Your negative energy is overwhelming and burdensome
You are hovering 'round my head
Your presence is constantly on my mind
If only you could try to resist
I wish you could control your negative emotions
Come now, won't you try to forget
Please let go of your worries and fears
Steadfast and true
Unwavering and honest
Gentle are few
Kindness and understanding are rare
When everything just slips away
When life seems to be falling apart
So glad to see you smiling
I am happy to see you happy
On this new morning with me
Starting a new day together
When these thoughts just get in our way
When our negative thinking impedes our progress
Steadfast and true
Remaining honest and committed
Gentle are few
Acts of kindness are rare in difficult times
When everything just slips away...
When life feels like it's falling apart beyond our control
Contributed by Skyler O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Sourpuss
One of the most under-appreciated musicians ever.