Shawny Thicke
Children's Music Artist

Sandeep Kulkarni (00:02.049) Today's guest is Shawny Thicke, a children's musician from Montreal, Canada, and a former elementary school music teacher who has spent his adult life creating music with and for children. With two albums, a Mom's Choice Award, international touring, and a YouTube channel reaching over a million views, Shawn's work blends joy, movement, and emotional connection.

Suraaj Parab (00:30.969) Welcome, Shawny, to the Artist Conversation, the Sanctuary of Frozen Souls podcast.

Shawny (00:36.742) All right, thanks for having me.

Sandeep Kulkarni (00:37.154) And just for our viewers, we'll call you either Shawn or Shawny. I like Shawny as well.

Shawny (00:41.232) Yeah, either way is good. I get both half the time anyway.

Sandeep Kulkarni (00:50.146) No, it's great to have you, Shawny. It's amazing.

Shawny (00:52.912) Thank you. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to talk with you guys.

Sandeep Kulkarni (00:56.736) Awesome, awesome. There's so much to view on your channel and so much to look at with your music and listen to it. I was having a lot of fun because it's not every time you listen to children's music as adults, right? So you spent nearly a decade as an elementary school music teacher before becoming a full-time children's artist. Was there a moment when you knew it was time to take that leap?

Shawny (01:28.3) To be a children's musician? Take that leap, you mean? My goodness. Honestly, it wasn't just like I jumped right in. I definitely took time doing it; it was something that progressively happened. I was making music, but I was full-time teaching. It was during the pandemic, so it was a really weird time. I had a lot of free time when I wasn't at work.

Where I'm from in Montreal, a lot of schools weren't even in session—they weren't allowed to be—but I worked at a special needs school for children who are hearing impaired. They were deaf and they had hearing aids and cochlear implants; they could hear really, really well, but it was a special needs school, so I had to be there in person all the time. I was working there constantly. Then when I wasn't working, I had all this free time.

I always wanted to make children's music because, to be honest, I was just kind of tired of hearing everybody else's children's music. I would want a specific topic or something for class, and I couldn't find a good song, so I would write one. The pandemic motivated me to say, "Hey, you should write your own songs." So I just started writing them, and it developed really organically. By the time the lockdowns ended, I was allowed to perform for children. I started doing it, progressed from there, and then one day I just couldn't do both anymore. I was either going to be a full-time teacher or I was going to do children's music full-time. I had to make a decision, and that's kind of how it happened.

Sandeep Kulkarni (03:15.158) Was it hard to leave teaching?

Shawny (03:18.52) It was, yeah, it was. I mean, I always had the performer bug, I guess. I played music as an adult, and I've been passionate about music for the longest time, so deep down I always wanted to do that. But when it came time to actually make that leap, it was really, really hard because I loved the school I was at and I loved the students. I was very passionate about it. It was not an easy decision, but I also didn't want to do half-and-half. I could have maybe done less teaching, but I didn't want my mind and my heart to be somewhere else. That's not really fair to the kids, so I knew I had to make that leap. It was so hard. I even go back and visit that school still. Besides my current job, it was my favorite job.

Sandeep Kulkarni (04:22.454) It takes a lot of guts. I think it's amazing.

Shawny (04:42.918) Thank you. I didn't feel like I had guts doing it, to be honest. It was just a lot of guilt, like, "Oh, I'm leaving them." They were happy for me, but they were also sad I wasn't coming back. So yeah, it was emotional and it was not easy. I don't regret it, but it was tough.

Suraaj Parab (05:07.969) Wow, that's really great. You have worked with children for your entire adult life. What do these kids teach you about honesty that we adults often forget?

Shawny (05:25.99) They are so honest. Kids are extremely honest, which gets them into trouble sometimes because they don't know when they're being offensive or that they're not supposed to say something. We are the ones teaching them the rules, like, "Okay, maybe you can't say that because you might hurt someone's feelings." But I love how honest they are, and I appreciate it because they don't play games. They're not really manipulative. They try, but they're just too honest. You can see it in their eyes—you know they're trying to lie and not pulling it off.

Sandeep Kulkarni (06:10.359) Can you share an incident where they told you the raw truth?

Shawny (06:14.512) Oh yeah, tons. That's why I love performing and writing music for kids, because they'll tell you if a song doesn't work. Adults will politely say, "Oh, it was pretty. It was good. It was fine. You did a good job," because they don't want to say the truth. But a kid will be like, "I didn't really like that song." One kid actually told me, "That was not one of your best." And I was like, "You know what? I appreciate that. Thank you for telling me." It didn't even hurt my feelings. I thought, I think you're right.

Sandeep Kulkarni (06:58.51) That's true, though. I remember a kid in my family telling me once, "Yeah, I don't like your voice in this." I was like, "Okay..." But the saving grace was that they liked it better in a different song.

Shawny (07:22.81) Okay, that's nice that they sandwiched it like that! That kid also told me, "I like this song better." They'll at least give you an alternative. If they don't have another song they like, you're in trouble! I have so many stories. I used to get haircuts based on what the kids said. My hair would get long, and it doesn't look good long on me. I would always know it was time for a trim when a kid would come up to me and say, "You need a haircut. You just need a haircut." Once I shaved my beard completely, and they were like, "You look like you're 10. You look like a baby." I love them.

Sandeep Kulkarni (08:27.886) My god, that's hilarious. I used to be a college professor for a very long time, but I was teaching adults, so it's very different from what you're describing.

Shawny (08:38.806) Wow, yeah. I think there are some similarities, though. Adults are maybe not as honest, but teaching is teaching. I have a friend who teaches adults, and I feel there are always connections.

Sandeep Kulkarni (09:05.061) I've taught everyone from age 18 and above, pretty much.

Shawny (09:09.694) Oh my goodness. Well, I think that's amazing because I couldn't do that. I taught high school for a little while, and that was not good. I don't know why. With college students, it's nice because you get to actually have two-way conversations with them. With little kids, you do too, but sometimes it's a bit one-sided.

Sandeep Kulkarni (09:35.15) You know, Shawny, you're such a playful and energetic person, and your music reflects that. But it's also very intentional. Where does your inspiration usually come from? Is it the classroom, real moments with kids, or your own inner child?

Shawny (10:03.514) That's a great question. Honestly, it's all three. At one point, I may have said just one of those, but it's changing all the time. I'm figuring it out as I go. Every new project requires a different approach. The first album I did was entirely because I was a teacher and I couldn't find songs on certain subjects or topics that I thought were good. I felt they didn't work for me, so I would make up my own. The inspiration there was being in a classroom and addressing a direct need.

For the second project, I was performing more with kids live, so I was inspired by them directly. They would ask, "Can we have a song about this?" and I’d think, Cool, you're giving me ideas, this is great. Recently, I've been writing songs inspired by my inner kid. I've been examining more of what I was like as a child and what I would have loved.

Sandeep Kulkarni (11:15.662) What were you like as a kid? Were you into music?

Shawny (11:18.928) I'm not too different now! I'm still a big, goofy kid. But the funny thing is, I wasn't into playing music growing up. I had uncles and a grandfather who were musical, but my immediate family was not musical at all. None of them played instruments. My brother is a pretty good singer, but it's not a hobby for him. My mom loves listening to music, though; she's a huge music fan. There was always music playing in the house, so I always loved listening to it. My mom exposed me to everything and anything, and I really thank her for that. In terms of instruments, I didn't start until way later. I was 15 before I ever picked up an instrument. Part of me regrets starting late, but it just wasn't something I knew about at the time. I had to find it on my own.

Suraaj Parab (12:34.361) Which instrument did your musical journey start with?

Shawny (12:45.064) Guitar. I started on the guitar like a lot of people. I actually wish I had started on the ukulele. I learned the ukulele later and thought, This is so much easier and way more forgiving. I didn't originally want to play guitar; I really wanted to be a drummer. But my mom was like, "No, we don't want drums in the house." They didn't even have common electric drums back then—feeling old here—or at least they were way too expensive to buy for your home. So I said, "Okay, I'll try the guitar." I didn't even think about singing either; that just came from songwriting. I started coming up with chord progressions, and when nobody else wanted to sing them, I decided to try it myself. That's how it happened.

Suraaj Parab (13:59.428) Since we are on the topic of songwriting, your songs are incredibly joyful and emotional. What does your creative process actually look like from start to finish?

Shawny (14:24.143) It's usually a spark—I know that sounds cheesy, but it kind of is. I'll usually get a specific lyric or a melody, and then I'll get hyper-focused and obsessed with it. I'll just keep going until it resolves itself. It sounds painful, but it's not; it's almost like an addictive trait where I just need to get the bones of the song down, and then I can work on everything else after. Most of the time it's not as intentional; it just comes out. Lately, though, I've been setting specific time aside, and I find that works for me. I'll take an hour just to see what happens, mess around, play, and create. If nothing happens, nothing happens.

Sandeep Kulkarni (15:44.526) Looking at your YouTube channel, is the video production a one-man show as well?

Shawny (15:55.638) Mostly. I've had people help me over time. A producer friend of mine has a background in video editing and direction. He has a green screen setup, which I wish I had, so he directs and edits a lot of the bigger, music-video-type ones. The early, old videos were all me, my wife, or my friends whom I would just rope into helping. Sometimes I like to edit them myself, but he's a wizard with lighting and directing.

Sandeep Kulkarni (16:57.102) You've performed for adults in the past as well. What's it like being in front of a children's audience that responds instantly without filters compared to adults?

Shawny (17:43.686) Ah, I actually love it. I think I love kids' audiences more, to be honest, if I'm being 100% real. It’s immediate validation. You know instantly if it's working or if it's not working. When they really like something, they love it. Sometimes they'll want to hear it again right away. For adults, that's an encore at the end of the night, but a kid will finish a song and immediately say, "Can we play it again?" And I have to say, "Well, we have other songs to do!"

Sandeep Kulkarni (18:22.038) Do you mostly play songs they've heard, or do you introduce brand-new tunes on the spot?

Shawny (18:35.246) When I was first starting out, they were all new songs. Thinking back, I don't even know how I was brave enough to do that! Now I know which ones work, so I keep those in rotation and just sneak one new song into the set. If I play too many new ones that they have no idea about, they just stare at me like, "What are you doing?" Sandeep Kulkarni (19:05.294) Children's music is a fascinating world. In a previous show, we interviewed Mr. Jeff, and he does the exact same thing.

Shawny (19:13.114) I actually saw that on Instagram today! I know Mr. Jeff; he's a friend of mine. That's amazing.

Sandeep Kulkarni (19:33.442) It's amazing that you guys do this. Where do your shows normally happen?

Shawny (19:42.992) It's kind of all over. I'll play at daycares, schools, libraries, and birthday parties, which are really fun. I've also done parent and infant groups, which are less of a performance and more about exposing toddlers to music. That was really surreal at first because babies aren't going to clap or tell you how good you did, but you pick up on it through their eyes. I also play public shows and festivals that have a kids' component—which I think more festivals should do, honestly. Because I do this full-time, it's very consistent; there's always a school or a library looking for an event, and I have my regular venues that ask me back. Even if it's a small show for 10 kids, it's still super fun.

Suraaj Parab (21:35.45) I personally feel that you guys are incredibly lucky. When we are children, we want to be adults, and when we become adults, we wish we could be children again. With children's music, you are living the best of both worlds.

Shawny (22:32.218) That's so true. You get to be a goofy kid. In any other job I had, people would say, "Okay, you're a little too goofy, can you tone it down?" But with kids, acting like a big kid is literally my job description. It's liberating, and it keeps you young. Young me would be amazed to see me acting like a kid but also driving a car.

Sandeep Kulkarni (23:29.794) It's wonderful that you have the opportunity to share your craft and get that direct appreciation from children.

Shawny (23:57.176) I do feel grateful. I get to perform more now than I ever did playing music for adults. When they love the show, it's incredibly heartwarming. Seeing kids happy is simply the best thing. If your job is making kids happy, that's not a bad life to live.

Suraaj Parab (24:44.025) You guys are probably living the best life in our entire musician circle.

Shawny (24:50.362) It is hard work and it's tiring, for sure. Even though I have an inner kid, real kids just have way more energy than I do. They don't stop. The only time it's hard is if I'm already tired or getting over being sick, and I have to push through. But the kids can also lift you up; you go into a show feeling down, and their energy completely makes you forget you were in a bad mood. It keeps you incredibly present. With adult music, I always second-guessed myself because I couldn't read the room, but kids are just so genuine and easy to read.

Suraaj Parab (26:16.003) Being a creative person often comes with setbacks, self-doubt, and disappointments along the way. In your journey, what kinds of doubt have you faced, and how do you keep moving forward?

Shawny (27:02.67) It's honestly an ongoing process. I haven't completely figured it out, and I face deep self-doubt a lot. It just comes with the territory of being creative. Early on, during my first year, I hit writer's block for about four months, and it was the worst. I got really stuck in my head, wondering if I had run out of ideas. I didn't know many other children's musicians at the time, so I felt very isolated and depressed.

Then, I joined an organization called the Children's Music Network. I attended their workshops and songwriting circles, and it changed everything. Children's musicians are the nicest people on planet Earth; they are incredibly encouraging and happy you're doing this niche work. Sharing songs with them made me realize my music was good, and seeing their work inspired me. If I hadn't found that community, I might have walked away early on.

Sandeep Kulkarni (31:25.358) Your album, Go Go Stop, received a Mom's Choice Award and led to a tour across Quebec and Ontario. How did that recognition and connecting with new audiences shape your confidence? Also, could you explain to our viewers what the Mom's Choice Award actually is?

Shawny (31:57.983) Performing in new towns where nobody knew me gave me a massive confidence boost. When you play the same places in Montreal, the families already love you, so you don't challenge yourself as much. Going to other towns was intimidating because I had to impress them within the first five minutes. It was an incredible high. Aside from one outdoor gig during a heatwave where the AC broke down and everyone was melting, the audiences responded so well. By the end of the shows, we were all connected and having a great time. It proved to me that my music wasn't just a local Montreal thing—it could reach people anywhere.

As for the Mom's Choice Awards, it's an organization that evaluates and awards content they deem high-quality and suitable for families. I hired a publicist for my second album, and she submitted it to them. One day they reached out to say they loved the album and wanted to give it their "seal of approval" to promote to their community. Awards are amazing, but ultimately it's about reaching more families, so I was incredibly happy to be a part of it.

Suraaj Parab (36:21.141) Reaching people is key, and you've reached millions through YouTube. How do you view the responsibility that comes with your music becoming a part of a child's daily life?

Shawny (36:49.678) There is a massive responsibility. There are large corporations making children's music where you have to wonder how much soul is actually in it. Because of that, I want to ensure what I put out is entirely genuine. Warmth and performance matter immensely. Even during the mixing process, I insist that my voice stays right at the front, clearly enunciated. Children process music and information differently, and as the artist, you are their guide.

You find yourself constantly thinking about how a kid will perceive a line. I always ask, "Would my inner kid like this?" Of course, you can't please everybody, but most children's musicians are truly trying to educate, inspire movement, create joy, or help kids process heavier emotions in a relatable way. There's a lot of responsibility in how you present topics safely, and honestly, thinking about it now, I should probably be more stressed than I am!

Sandeep Kulkarni (40:27.362) What are you currently working on, and how do you know when a project is officially ready to be shared?

Shawny (40:46.726) I'm currently working on my third album. I'm taking my time with this one because it's a lot more personal. I'm trying to listen to my inner kid more than anything. My second album was built around live performances—I tested those songs for two years to pick the ones that got the best physical reactions. This time, I'm doing the opposite: I'm writing it purely as a studio album first, dealing with themes of creativity, imagination, and holding onto childhood wonder as you grow up. After it's done, I'll figure out how to adapt it for live shows.

In the past, if kids didn't immediately love a song, I would completely throw it away because I was too critical. Now I've learned that the first performance is always hesitant because I lack confidence, and kids pick up on that hesitation. I've started sneaking new structures into my live shows to test them, letting them change naturally over time through improvisation and live feedback.

Suraaj Parab (45:15.817) Growing up, our anchoring points were classic cartoons on TV. Today, you guys are the ones shaping the world for the next generation.

Shawny (45:50.823) I really hope so. Just like when I was a music teacher, my ultimate goal is simply to make kids love music. Children eventually grow out of children's music—they grow out of you, and that's completely okay. But if you make them love music, that stays with them forever. Music is priceless. And who knows, maybe they'll pass the songs down to their own kids one day.

Suraaj Parab (46:58.933) What is your ultimate creative dream or milestone?

Shawny (47:09.114) My ultimate dream is to appear on Sesame Street. I love that show so much; it was the definitive building block for me as a kid, and it remains the highest benchmark in my mind when writing children's music. If I ever saw the Muppets in person, I would turn into a four-year-old and absolutely cry.

More immediate creatively, a major goal for this new album is to collaborate more with other children's artists. I only did one collaboration on my last album, and it was the most fun part of the entire process. I belong to this incredible network of Grammy-voting members who are the nicest people, but I'm often too timid to ask because I don't want to bother anyone. If someone asks me to collaborate, I am there in a heartbeat, but I need to get over my insecurity and start doing the asking myself.

Suraaj Parab (49:56.026) Thank you so much, Shawny, for spending time with us. We appreciate the immense care, joy, and intention you bring to your music.

Shawny (50:12.016) Thanks for having me, I had a great time! These were wonderful questions.

Sandeep Kulkarni (50:30.862) We both enjoyed this conversation. It's a beautiful reminder that creativity, play, and connection matter at every single age.

Shawny (50:43.802) Absolutely. Even in adult music, you have to maintain an element of play. Songwriting is a balance between playfulness and disciplined hard work; you can't be too serious, but you can't lack discipline either. Where can I stream this podcast? I'd love to check out more episodes.

Sandeep Kulkarni (52:08.52) We are The Artist Conversation on YouTube!

Suraaj Parab (51:37.753) To everyone listening, thank you for being here with us. Please check out Shawny's Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Follow his work, share this episode, and we will see you in the next episode of The Artist Conversation. Thanks, Shawny!

Shawny (52:20.519) Amazing. Thank you for having me, guys!