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Music has always been a part of Jess Shannon's life, as she and her family would even go carolling together each year. She would take that passion and sing in church and now has released her first song, "The Beloved."
The Manitoba native developed her passion for music, primarily through worship music at home and church. "There was always music playing around the house. My parents mostly listened to country and worship music," she said.
As she grew up, Shannon would play in bands and participate in choirs, honing her skills. "I always loved the sound of an acoustic guitar. When I turned 15 or 16, I got my first guitar for Christmas and that's still my favourite instrument to this day."
While performing music for others was never the dream, it is becoming her reality. "I didn't dream to do it. I was very shy. I always played with my door closed."
That quickly changed when she started participating on the worship team. "My mother started helping in worship at our church. And then she volunteered me. So then I started playing out of the house."
After her cousin developed skills in music production, the interest for Shannon to record something grew.
Shannon's faith is vital in her music and songwriting as several of her latest songs are geared toward singing in church. "I write a bit of secular music, but mostly faith-based music, primarily because that's the heart of why exist. The purpose of a Christian life at the core of it is Christ. We get up in the morning and we thank Him for the sweet mercies that we receive every morning. It's part of every aspect of what we do in this life for His glory."
As well as taking inspiration from other artists such as Lauren Daigle, CityAlight, and Bethel Music sometimes it comes on a trip across the ocean.
"I went on a trip last summer with a friend and we were driving through Scotland, she had her Christian playlist on. I was like, 'This is fantastic.' I didn't know those songs. I listen to worship music but also other genres because I want to incorporate musical aspects with Christian lyrics."
When it came time to release, "The Beloved," she said everyone was really supportive and she wasn't too nervous. "I didn't have enough time to be nervous by the end of it because I'm such a procrastinator. But everyone's been super supportive, family."
After hearing the song, Shannon hopes that listeners will be encouraged to know that "When we become Christians, we receive the favour of God the Father, that He has for the Son, the love and the adoration, and the blessings that He gave to Jesus while He was on Earth."
Looking forward, she is hoping for more music to come out soon. "I'm hoping for a summer release of an album or an EP."
You can see the lyric video for "The Beloved" below.