Every summer solstice needs a soundtrack. This year, the crown went to India Shawn’s Outer Limits project, in collaboration with powerhouse songwriter James Fauntleroy. The 8-track EP felt like a leisure ride up PCH, airy and full of good views. Reminiscent of Minnie Riperton, she purrs sweetly over tracks making the most risqué lyrics sound demure. From taking listeners on feel trips with “More or Less” to the playful “Floating Away”, Shawn birthed a solid batch of songs that can stay on loop for days. A follow up to 2012’s Origin, Outer Limits is a testament to India Shawn’s growth as an artist and a woman. 

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Homebase: Atlanta, GA

Between Outer Limits and the Re-Werc EP, you've had a pretty busy year. How did these projects come together?     

I find that I really enjoy the pace and the process of collaborative projects. Outer Limits is a project I made with the genius, James Fauntleroy. 1500 or Nothin played and produced the entire thing. We pretty much locked ourselves in the studio for a couple weeks and banged out these really cool songs. ReWerc is my newest release. I came together with the WERC CREW here in Atlanta to remix some songs that were kind of unexpected for me. I just wanted to do something different and fun. It was a way of bringing India Shawn to the dance floor. I’m really proud of both projects.  

Outer Limits was such a strong project. Being someone very lyric-focused, "Mermaid" was a big personal standout. Can you talk a bit about the story behind the song and what it means to you? 

“Mermaid Song,” formerly titled “Now Shit Is Cool,” is a song that touches on the unpredictability and the ups and downs of life and reminds the listener that things work out in the end. We wanted to come up with the most outlandish scenario to get that point across. The character in the song gets in a car accident, meets a really cute paramedic who falls out of the helicopter that's airlifting them, he lands in the ocean, I wake up in paradise on an island; "first it's sad, then it's beautiful". 

Your Re-Werc EP is packed with great covers. How were the songs chosen? 

Thank you! The DJs/producers of WERC CREW suggested a few, and I had some in mind as well. The goal was to pick some unlikely covers that would allow people to see a different side.  

Which was your favorite song to cover? 

“White Iverson” was my favorite. I love the melodies in the original and I added some cool harmonies that made it sound like a Fleetwood Mac + Post Malone mashup. I also enjoyed the fact that I had no idea what half of those lyrics meant.

Speaking of lyrics, you also work as a songwriter for other artists. What has the process been like transitioning to being the one in front of the mic? 

I was actually an artist before I formed my writing team Full Circle. So, it was more like I was taking a break and learning from the artists around me during the writing phase. Being around people like Chris Brown and M.I.A., who have crazy work ethic was super inspiring and gave me a new insight and perspective on my own artistry.  

You were a part of the Saint Heron compilation and worked on Outer Limits with James Fauntleroy. Have any other dream collaborations?  

Yeah, those were definitely magical moments. A dream collab for me would be John Mayer & Kanye in the same session.  

What artists are you listening to right now?   

I'm listening to Tame Impala, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, the new Bilal album, Alex Isley, and a bunch of my music friends. 

What's next for India Shawn? 

A tour! I'm putting it out into the universe. I think I'm long overdue for some travels abroad. Wish me luck.