For most modern musicians, day-to-day life and art go hand in hand, but for Sunderland’s very first witch-pop princess Shannon Pearl, it goes a step further. Shannon takes us beyond the realms of consciousness and ventures into the mystical depths of spirituality.
I was lucky enough to be invited to take part in a manifestation ceremony with Shannon to experience the spiritual serenity that is reflected so beautifully in her music. Upon arriving at Shannon’s, any scepticism or reservations I had were promptly washed away by the impression her home had on me. The cosy space was decorated in a way that satisfies all the senses: a rich, earthy, green colour scheme flows through every room, strong scents from home-grown herbs in the kitchen hung in the air, ambient, spellbinding music whistled through this strange new world I had entered. After a warm welcome, Shannon led me to a large table next to an altar where we would soon carry out our ritual.
I sat and began to prepare myself. “Once you find that peace, let it sit with you in your heart,” says Shannon as we held hands around the table. My induction into the world of witchcraft was well underway. Shannon’s music is very unique; atmospheric harmonies paired with heavily distorted drums and booming bass hooks, exemplified in her opening track ‘Celestial’ on her debut album, usually aren’t considered compatible, yet the efficacy of Shannon’s work evidently destroys those stereotypes. Similar to my first experience of her music, the stereotypes I once believed about spirituality felt distant as we began the ceremony. Instructed by Shannon, I jotted down on a piece of paper an idea I wanted to come to fruition, as did she. Once we had signed the notes with a closing statement of “and so it is”, we set them alight to be released to the universe. It was very therapeutic.
As our ceremony came to a close, I felt so lucky to have had such a calming experience with such an amazing artist. After the release of her debut album ‘Kiss the Ground’, Shannon has been gigging non-stop ever since, never failing to enchant her audience whether that’s on stage alone, as part of the acoustic duo Yuma, or with her tantalising six-piece band.