Dream inspiration

A Scots singer-songwriter who swapped Ayrshire for Tennessee has just released his latest recording to critical acclaim.

Sean C Kennedy’s new EP consists of eight songs exploring the artist’s personal experiences of understanding life, seeing the beauty in everything and the power in vulnerability.

It is the Irvine-born performer’s first body of work since moving from the west of Scotland in 2018 to Nashville, the musical capital of the USA.

The uplifting and positive song, ‘Let Life Love You’ was written by Sean as a way of exploring new styles away from the country-folk he presented on his debut album ‘77’ back in 2015.

Most of the songs on the new EP touch base with a more electronic pop feel, but never lose sight of the importance of lyrics and message.

“Even though I might have thought to be writing about other people at the time, in the end it turns out all of the songs are about myself too,” said Sean who has called it his most personal work so far.

The title track of the EP, ‘Let Life Love You’, was inspired by a dream his sister had in which their grandma came to her. On the track itself there are actual soundbites of their grandma reading to their niece.

“Success to me isn’t measured in money or awards, but in how people perceive your music. I’m just putting it out there to connect with people,” said Sean, who was born into a musical family in Irvine, Ayrshire.

Although brought up surrounded by music he initially tried for a career as a soccer player until a knee injury put an end to his sporting dreams.

It was while recovering from his injury that Sean discovered a talent for songwriting and singing, drawing inspiration and influence from the likes of Prince, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, Amos Lee and others.

Like many young musicians Sean learned the ropes playing in a local band before finding success working with established artists and producers, including Fred Mollin, Andy Taylor of Duran Duran and Nik Kershaw.

Sean’s debut album ‘77’ led to him winning the Scottish Alternative Music Award in 2015. Over the next three years he worked around Europe and the USA before eventually relocating to Nashville, Tennessee in 2018.

Since then he’s made his Bluebird debut, played shows at many of Nashville’s famous venues and started working with established writers and producers in the area.

His EP ‘Let Life Love You’, is his first release since moving to Nashville. Six of the songs on the EP have already racked up two million plays.