The stories and worlds conjured in Shannon's music are at once familiar and somehow borne of another time. While firmly rooted in the songwriter tradition, the ever ambitious artist explores a diverse sonic palette, illuminating songs that range from sizzling to soothing.

Bio

Singer-Songwriter and Harpist Shannon Kingsbury is a passionate member of Guelph Canada’s vibrant arts scene. As performer and composer she has collaborated with renowned artists across various disciplines and genres in site-specific, multi-disciplinary and conventional performances. Kingsbury's vibrant live shows have been presented at theatres, festivals and intimate venues including: Hillside Festival, Guelph Jazz Festival & Nuit Blanche, River Run Centre, Guelph Dance Festival and numerous galleries and museums across Ontario.

 

Photo: Noelle O'Brien

Live Band and Bones & Secrets Album

Kingsbury's solo project boasts an imaginative pairing of instruments: harp, hurdy gurdy (Ben Grossman - Loreena McKennit), double bass (Jeff Bird - Cowboy Junkies), cornet (Gary Diggins), layered vocals (Tricia Brubacher) and percussion. Her sophomore album Bones & Secrets was released in May 2017. Produced by Bird, Grossman and Kingsbury, the album weaves in images of spring, transformation & rebirth, the Greek origin myth of Persephone, heroines reclaiming and retelling their own stories, melancholy lullabies and middle-of-the-night musings. Artist Ryan Price created dozens of illustrations to accompany the music and award winning book designer Kathe Gray crafted a stunning CD package featuring Price's work. Shannon's brother Robert Kingsbury, an accomplished multi-media artist, filmed a series of music videos in support of the album.

Photo: Carey West

Accomplishments

Kingsbury's voice can be heard on the JUNO nominated "Singing in Tongues" (Eccodek, 2015) and on the Academy Award nominated score for the film Passion of the Christ. Her albums have been played on CBC and Bones & Secrets recently reached #5 nationally in the roots category on the !earshot Canadian Campus Radio charts. Her debut album, LuminoCity, was praised in Huffington Post. She has toured and performed in ensembles supporting: kirtan artist Brenda McMorrow, Eccodek's Andrew McPherson and Ojibway artist Tamara Podemski (Canadian Aboriginal Music Award for Best Female Artist 2006). 

Photo: Patrick Moher

Ondine Chorus, Spring Awakes! & Kingsbury Music

Along with Sue Smith, Kingsbury co-directs Ondine Chorus, a group devoted to the creation and performance of new vocal works whose membership includes beloved folk singer- songwriter Tannis Slimmon. Smith and Kingsbury also curate Spring Awakes!, an annual happening providing artists with a special opportunity to draw inspiration from and in turn fundraise for Ignatius Jesuits Centre's Old Growth Forest project. Shannon also delights in mentoring children, youth and adults through her thriving creative music teaching studio, Kingsbury Music

Photo: Joni Nehrita

Praise for Bones & Secrets:

“great sounding record with some stellar musicians helping out. Think Kate Bush meets medieval ballad with all sorts of weird traditional instruments and magical themes” - Royal Cat Records  

“An album that, while beautiful and ethereal, is not without the gripping undercurrent of a scary bedtime story.” - GuelphToday.com 

Praise for LuminoCity

Join our mailing list for the latest news