Shannon McNally's not-unique-but-still-charming mix of country and adult contemporary pop first burst onto the scene last spring with the release of her debut album Jukebox Sparrows. After spending the summer opening for John Mellencamp, she has released a new EP, Ran On Pure Lightning, with her guitar player Neal Casal. Long on intimate atmosphere, the result is more bluegrassy than her first effort. Her tour in support of the album starts Friday in Madison at Luther's Blues, 1401 University Ave, and she took a break from her rehearsals to chat with the Cardinal.
The Daily Cardinal: You're starting your new tour in Madison. Any reason for that?
Shannon McNally: Well, we've just always had a warm reception in Madison and I really like the town a lot. It just worked out that it was a nice place to start.
DC: What are you going to do differently on this tour, as compared to your last one opening for John Mellencamp?
SM: I'll be playing new material, along with some old stuff, but it will be stripped down. It'll just be me and a guitar and one other player, who'll play fiddle, and maybe a little piano. It'll be more intimate than the tour that came through before.
DC: How did you go about the decision to make the new album with Neal [Casal]?
SM: Well, Neal and I have been friends a long time. Jukebox Sparrows, as wonderful an experience as it was, was one sort of project and I am a big fan of bluegrass and the folk tradition and playing my acoustic guitar. So is Neal, and we took it as a chance to do a project together, because we really enjoy singing with one another.
DC: I think your new, strippeddown albums and tour could be seen as an attempt for you to build a reputation as a serious artist, not just another pretty face. Is that a valid observation?
SM: I don't think I make a record to alter an image one way or another. I make records that I want to hear. A piece of work comes through you. I know it's a clich?? but it really does. I don't know that it has much to do with being a woman or not. I just wanted to make a folk-bluegrass album, something that was tender.
DC: What can audiences expect on tour? Any covers?
SM: Yes, I'm going to do some Staples Singers covers, a Bobby Charles cover. Other than that, I'll do songs from Lightning, from Jukebox Sparrows and other new material from an album I'm working on, stuff that hasn't been recorded yet. But it will all be in an acoustic vein.
DC: Halloween's a big deal in Madison. If you were to dress up this year, what would you be?
SM: [Long pause.] This year I'd like to be invisible. I'd like to be the invisible woman'I think.
DC: What's your favorite jukebox song to play, in bars and so forth?
SM: \Don't Think Twice, It's All Right."" A little Dylan.
