Shawna Caspi

Shawna Caspi spent her rebellious years sipping apple cider and playing folk tunes at the infamous Rasputin's Folk Cafe in Ottawa, Ontario. She was drawn into the music scene, sneaking into bars and hanging around recording studios and radio station control booths, until she was lured to Toronto by a fascination for higher education. One music degree, two recordings, three apartments, and countless gigs and guitar string changes later, Shawna has become a familiar face around the Toronto folk scene.

As a solo act, she fills a room with her powerful, expressive voice that moves from smooth, tender tones to wailing blues notes. Her guitar work is complex and complementary, creating a full, multi-layered sound, with an added percussive touch and intricate melodic lines that play off her rich vocals. Known for exploring alternate tunings, Shawna's years of classical training are evident in her solid musicianship and impeccable fingerpicking.

Each song is a snapshot, a sliver of everyday observation, a simple subtlety in a relationship - stories told with unpredictable song structures, wrought with wordplay and slightly crooked rhyme schemes. Shawna's wit and endearing awkward charm runs through her carefully-crafted lyrics and right onto the stage. She establishes a comfortable, inviting, and engaging live atmosphere, spilling secrets and pulling the audience right into the picture.

Shawna keeps good company, having shared stages with some of the country's finest performers, including Craig Cardiff, Jon Brooks, Jory Nash, Kev Corbett, and Amy Campbell. She hosted the intimate "Campfire at the Cameron" series in Toronto, showcased at North by Northeast in 2008 and 2010, and had a coveted spot in the Fresh Wednesdays series at Nathan Phillips Square in Summer 2008. Shawna is a regular performer around Toronto, warming up the Cameron House, the Rivoli, the Gladstone Hotel, and other local haunts. She is equally at ease under the lights of a big festival stage or unplugged in a cozy small town cafe. Recently, Shawna has been honing her tunes at home and away, with performances in and around Ontario and Quebec.

Shawna is currently planning a follow-up release to 2008's Paint by Numbers, while continuing to explore Ontario and beyond, brightening quiet corners and soft-lit stages with sweet songs and stories.

"I could easily see her music on my CD player on a rainy Sunday morning as I stare out the window, sipping on a tea, working over a hangover, or just basking in the sublimity of it all. Impressive stuff!"
- Matt Wojas, Toonage Magazine