Shannon Vetter’s Ode to Mental Health
Shannon Vetter, a masc-presenting nonbinary person, is reshaping the Americana and folk music scene. Their newest album, Holding Patterns, showcases their song-writing and musical talents. Vetter exemplifies how the queer community embodies re-definition and innovation.
Vetter, a Louisville-based artist, has an extensive musical background, playing multiple instruments and having experience as a music teacher. Versed in a plethora of genres, from 2000’s alt-country, jazz, bluegrass to funky jam bands, Vetter has many musical influences. They are open about their life and their struggles with mental health, specifically their bipolar disorder. Vetter is a big advocate for mental health awareness and the use of therapy. He serves as the Head of Productions for the Pete Foundation, a mental health organization striving to empower youth wellness.
Vetter’s personal reflections and honest confrontations of life’s complexities are what set their newest album apart from the rest. Holding Patterns, released March 1, is an assembly of six years of songwriting. Recorded at House productions, it was co-produced by Cory Pollard, Aaron Bibelhauser, and Matt Robinson.
Vetter and their band recorded the 12 songs on the track in a one-week studio session. Each song is like a chapter in the overarching narrative of the album. The album delves into emotion-packed themes of self-discovery, the ills of heartbreak and addiction, authenticity, and resilience, all the while depicting Vetter’s nonbinary status. Holding Patterns stand out for its rawness, relatability, and inspiration.
Holding Pattern acts as a soundtrack for mental health. Mental health and substance issues affect the LGBTQ+ community at a higher rate than the national average. Music is a powerful instrument for inspiration and catharsis. Holding Patterns recognizes these prevalent issues happening in a community that often flies under the radar. It provides a platform for other queer and non-binary people struggling with their mental health to find both solace and relatability.
Vetter’s music is revolutionizing the folk and Americana genres. The Americana genre, a conglomerate of various American music, forms from the amalgam of shared culture and tradition within the U.S. Specifically, Americana emphasizes the musical history created in the American South. Vetter adds emotional depth, musical diversity, and a queer flare to a genre embedded in rather heteronormative, intolerant roots.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Vetter
