Shannon Hemmett

For June's theme of 'PUNK' we are excited to host musician, tattooer, and graphic artist, Shannon Hemmett.

Hemmett, a former shy girl turned frontwoman, leads the dream pop project LEATHERS and plays keyboards in the acclaimed post-punk band ACTORS. With a background in photography and graphic design spanning two decades, Shannon brings a bold, pop-art sensibility to her tattoo work, merging classic tattoo imagery with modern style. Beyond the stage, she shapes the visual worlds of her bands—crafting album art, photography, and videos that mirror her Blade Runner meets Blue Velvet aesthetic. Now a seasoned touring musician, Shannon documents her experiences in Daydream Trash, a tour diary on Substack that captures the strange, beautiful, and gritty moments that unfold on the road.

Each month we ask our speaker some probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into their life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define and apply creativity in your life and career?
For me, creativity is like a jewel box. Mine is black and shaped like a coffin because I’m a goth at heart, but yours can look however you like. Inside are all the things that captivate me: favourite films, songs, books, colours, scents, tastes, memories, and moments that have left a mark. These inspirations live together in this tiny coffin. Every day, I open the latch. A few bats might fly out. I let a little light in. I touch the crushed blue velvet interior. I spend time with what’s inside, getting curious, letting ideas spark, and then I make something of my own. Creativity isn’t just something I do; it’s how I live. I eat, breathe, and sleep it. From a young age, I knew I would be an artist in some form, my head has always been on fire with the need to create. Honestly, I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?
I do my best work when I’m half-awake, meditating, or drifting between dreams. I’m an over-thinker, so I have to sneak around in my subconscious. When I’m in a dreamy, restful state, my inner critic quiets down and my mind is free to wander, that’s when songwriting feels most natural. Music demands honesty, but the trick is not to chase it too hard. If I look an idea in the eye, I can scare it off, so I try to capture it gently. That subconscious honesty is where the truth lives.

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person?
Until recently, I really struggled to find my confidence as a singer. I loved singing and felt called to do it, but I was so shy that my body would physically shut down—I had no projected volume in my voice, no presence. Then one of my vocal teachers, Beau Wheeler, told me something that changed everything: your shyness is a superpower. That completely blew my mind. I’d always seen it as an obstacle, something to overcome. But when I started to embrace that part of myself, seeing it as a way to connect with the audience, I finally came out of my shell. The things you think are holding you back might actually be your greatest strengths.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at CreativeMornings?
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
I didn’t realize it at the time but quitting my day job and joining a band was probably a pretty risky decision.

What’s your one guilty creative indulgence?
We have some post-tour traditions and one of them is eating a box of Lucky Charms cereal when we get home. I can’t remember how it started but it’s such a fun treat..

What is the one movie or book every creative must see/read?
"Catching the Big Fish" by David Lynch.

What practises, rituals, or habits contribute to your creative work?
I sleep in, stay up late, laugh a lot, cry a lot, read a lot, write a lot.

Where is your favourite place to escape?
I love the beach. The band had a couple days off in Portugal last year and the beach in Ericeira was such a highlight. The sun and the waves were life-giving, I felt so recharged afterwards. At home, l like taking my puppy Mary to my parent's house in Richmond. She launches herself off the deck about 20 feet into the air, landing in the yard, doing zoomies, chewing sticks, and rolling in the grass. She grins with her tongue hanging out the whole time. It makes me happy to see her so happy.

What music are you listening to these days?
Lately, I’ve been listening to Luster, the new record by Maria Somerville, and the latest singles from yeule. We fly a lot for the band, and on long flights I usually switch to audiobooks. I just started Neuromancer by William Gibson, the cyberpunk classic I’ve been meaning to read forever. I also recently listened to Serving the Servant by Danny Goldberg, who managed Nirvana during the height of their career. It was fascinating to hear about the business side of one of my favourite bands of all time.