Music has never been far from Shauna Janz’s heart, although her love affair with the guitar remained unrequited for the majority of her life, until the two had a chance encounter in 2005. She soon discovered a natural and very intuitive gift for the muse.
She is “perhaps something of an unusual combination in the music business – a grief support worker and educator who found music as a method for creative release, but turned it into an upstart and promising career” (Nanaimo Daily News, August 2015). And the passion she has for her work translates into her songs in themes about the strength of the human heart and resilience of the human spirit – about reaching into the rough and beautiful places that are a catalyst for transformation and love.
As a self-taught guitar player, her unconventional approach and folk-soprano voice has garnered her appreciative audiences across BC and beyond. Her first single in 2010, Simple Beautiful, turned heads as far as the U.S. market. Following that, in 2012 she released the album Divinity, recorded within the folk duo Vital Hands, which also received attention in the Vancouver film industry.
In 2014, Shauna released a self-recorded EP which landed a nomination for her single Redwood as “Song of the Year” at the 2015 Vancouver Island Music Awards. Her full length album, This Regal Heart, was then released in June 2016, recorded at yourSOUNDSCAPEstudio in Victoria and mastered at Gotham City Studios, Vancouver (Sarah McLaughlin, Heart, Delirium).
Receiving vocal training from various soprano and folk/pop teachers, most recently at the Victoria Conservatory and Yanik Giroux Performing Arts Studio, her indie-folk sounds are described as "lyrical, soulful, warm" and "stunning and memorable; a unique voice that combines folk with soul and dances between notes and cadences with ease and unpredictability." Shauna weaves in soulful notes that leave audiences remarking on her vocal stylings to the likes of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Jewel, Kate Bush, and Loreena McKennitt.
Audiences can expect fascinating guitar tunings, haunting finger-picking melodies, punctuated by driving rhythms, and set amongst both ethereal soprano sounds and strong spirited vocals. Accompanied by cello/bassist Martin Matychuk, and often including other special guests, the tapestry of sounds that Shauna's music weaves leaves an impression on listening ears.
"The irrepressible Shauna Janz took the stage. She blew me out of the water with her confidence and musical expertise...Shauna is a force to be reckoned with, strong in her focus, and the development of her music. Her tunings are fascinating and she has an incredible vocal range. She regaled the audience with her humor, charm and talent." Sheila Pratt, Founder of Victoria Music Friends. Read the full interview.
Discography
This Regal Heart June 2016
Here, In Time - Demo EP November 2014
Divinity by Vital Hands Shauna Janz and Jaye Watts November 2012