Meet Shane Tutmarc

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shane Tutmarc. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shane, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

For me, music isn’t just work—I think of it more as a lifestyle, or sometimes as therapy. Songwriting and production are often how I best process and experience life. Sometimes I don’t know how I feel about a situation until it’s distilled into a song.

Over the past five years, l’ve embraced a more disciplined approach, finding that consistency makes the creative process more rewarding. I keep my outer life very simple-even down to making nearly the same breakfast, and wearing the same clothes every day—to minimize distractions and preserve mental space for creativity. I’m also a dedicated list-maker, always working through checklists to stay focused.

In this digital age full of distractions, simplifying my routine has been key to nurturing my creative work ethic.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

For over 25 years, I’ve been writing songs, producing music, and been an active live performer. I’ve explored every facet of music-artist, songwriter, producer, and collaborator-the variety of musical hats I wear keep it interesting. The past five years have been especially rewarding, with full-circle moments sparking a creative surge. Returning to Dolour in 2020 has led to one of my most prolific periods, balancing new music with fresh versions of earlier work. This process has reconnected me with my earliest artistic ambitions and opened unexpected new creative paths. Recently, I released New Old Friends XX, a complete reimagining of Dolour’s 2004 album to mark its 20th anniversary, and a ‘deluxe’ edition of 2024’s Daylight Upon Magic, featuring an expanded track-list with non-album singles, covers, collaborations, and instrumental mixes. These releases capture where I’ve been and where I’m at, inviting listeners into my evolving musical world.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that have shaped my journey as a musician: passion, persistence, and simplicity.

First, passion is the fuel. If you don’t have passion, and you’re just trying to chase money, or clout or something, it’ll never feel worth it.
The rewards have to come from the work.

Second, persistence has been crucial. The business side of music is not for the faint of heart, but showing up consistently, even through setbacks, has led to my most fulfilling work.

Third, simplicity in my life and in my work-being that I’m in charge of the whole process these days, from the writing to the performing, producing, and releasing—I can set my own pace and not let other people’s schedules or drama derail me.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

My wife has been my greatest supporter in navigating challenges and honing my craft. Her encouragement has given me the confidence to pursue bold creative visions, like producing one-man-band albums, even when I doubted myself. Most importantly, the stable, peaceful home life we’ve built together provides a solid foundation for my work. In my single days, my chaotic lifestyle made consistent output difficult. Now, with her support, I have the clarity and stability to focus on my music, allowing me to develop discipline and sustain my creative momentum.

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