Dear Artist, Make decisions calmly.

Dear Artist,

My name is Brendan Shanahan from Ireland. I am a singer-songwriter with very few followers.

I've been around for a long, long, long time. Humour and positive thinking are fundamental to my sustainability. Things do not always work out the way we may want them to, but things are never over. There's always another door, always another opportunity. I have come to realise that. I am now in the place where I'm meant to be. That sustains me. I know that I will be in a different place next week, or maybe the same place where I am now. So what? The important thing is to believe in me and to engage in the things that I should engage in for better or worse.

Money is important but not vital. I am creative, which means that I should create irrespective of money. Creating is Godlike, unique to only you. And if you believe that, then create. Otherwise, you will be holding yourself back and settling for something less than what you are meant to be. I am a professional, which means that it's important that I get paid for what I do. I know that I'm good at what I do and deserve to be paid.

I am also realistic, and it is necessary at times to compromise and to be aware that nobody is indispensable, and there is always another artist ready to take your place. I have lost my temper sometimes, and I've always lost it as a result.

Make decisions calmly and never in anger when it comes to business. One’s future is never behind you.

Regards, 

Brendan Shanahan

I met with Brendan Shanahan at Axis Ballymun in Dublin in November 2025. We talked about the importance of knowing our level of work, having good reasons and a deadline, and walking away after the job is done.

“As an artist, sometimes you need to do something and then you can move on”, says Brendan.