Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun KS.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Shaun KS and I’m the frontman of the band, SHA KU SE.
Sha Ku Se officially formed at the beginning of 2022 when Dan Golden and I met through a mutual friend.
Dan was previously in a band called The Polarbear Upstairs, and I was the frontman of a band called The Accidentals in the early 2010s. The Accidentals eventually disbanded, and I went on to join the army and eventually had a child. I made the decision to focus on my family for the rest of the 2010s. When the pandemic hit, I decided to focus on learning sound engineering, and I also began working on a solo album with Mike Pfaff at Lava Room Recording Studio, where I eventually met our future rhythm guitarist, Ryan Zeitz.
As for Dan, The Polar Bear Upstairs eventually disbanded when their bassist, Todd, went to play with Tropidelic and their Frontman, Nick, went on to become the drummer of Soleo. He was without a band for a few years until he met me and heard the music I was working on. He loved it, and we decided to finish the rest of that album together and release it as a band. We then decided to start playing live shows so we got Ryan to join and found a bassist and drummer and started playing out to a really positive response. We’re a 5-piece band in total.
Shaun KS – Vocals From Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Dan Golden – Lead Guitar From Painesville, Ohio
Ryan Zeitz – Rhythm Guitar From Parma, Ohio
Jerome Rolf – Bass From Mentor, Ohio
George Shiner Jr – Drums From Kent, Ohio
Aside from the band, I also work as a freelance sound engineer out of Lava Room Recording Studio in Independence. I run both of these projects through the business name Red Scorpion Studios. I love music and art, and I hope to expand Red Scorpion Studios in some form in the future. It’s been a really exciting time for me, and I really enjoy working in the Cleveland music scene, one of the best music scenes in the country!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Since we formed SHA KU SE, it’s been a surprisingly smooth road. We’ve been very fortunate that people have responded to us very positively. It almost feels like a sort of magic to me when the five of us get on stage together. We all bring out something special in each other.
The road getting to SHA KU SE was a little rougher. We all had to struggle separately in the music scene before we found each other, and it click. I, personally, had been a solo artist for close to 15 years. Aside from my mom and little brother and a couple others, my family and friends weren’t all that supportive of my music. At a certain point, that changed though. It took a lot of effort and a little bit of stubbornness for me to get to a point where I was writing songs that people actually wanted to hear. It also took some time for me to find my voice when it came to performing live.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
SHA KU SE is a band whose genre is primarily indie/Alt-rock. At seems that, at this time, we’re mostly known for our song “Wouldn’t Change a Thing” and its corresponding music video. I think what I’m most proud of is our live performances, one of which is coming up on July 1st at Hatfields LIVE/Goode Grub, and our newest song and album, “The Device,” which will be released sometime at the end of this year.
I think what sets us apart from others is our sound. As far as rock and roll, there is a familiarness to it, but at the same time, it manages to sound new and unique as well.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
The best thing an aspiring artist or band can do to get their name out there is to get out there themselves. Go to as many open mics as possible, meet as many local artists as possible. The Cleveland music scene is very welcoming, and if you work hard, you’ll eventually find someone who’ll dig your sound. I highly recommend going to CODA in Tremont on Wednesdays for open mics. That place is the perfect gathering of talent from all around Cleveland. Hatfield’s Goode Grub also has a really great open mic and amazing food. BZ Douglas runs a really great open mic on Mondays at the Social Room in Cleveland Heights, too.
Pricing:
- https://www.universe.com/events/sha-ku-se-with-prithee-tickets-BHMPY5
- Studio Time for band for mixing is $75 per hour
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakuseband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shakuse1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shakuse9697/featured
