 Credit: Tony Byrd After stepping away from performing with Southern California band, American Bloomers to focus on raising her son, lifelong Angeleno Jane Sheldon returns with a Christmas tune that is both timely and timeless. “One for Mrs. Claus” is an ode to the oft-forgotten better half of the North Pole’s most famous family; a lighthearted yet powerful reminder that behind Mr. Claus is a woman making sure things get done correctly each holiday season. Santa might get all the mainstream praise, but this is a celebration of the matriarch who is long-overdue for recognition--”the CEO of the North Pole” as Sheldon puts it. Here, Sheldon answers her Essential 8 where she talks about the song, being creative in the morning hours, a fave gift from a fan, and more! Did you have a musical mentor? If so, who was it and how did they influence you? My older brother, Jonathan Sheldon. He's still my favorite songwriter around. He bought me my first guitar and taught me the "G" chord. With "One For Mrs Claus", was there an “a-ha” moment when you knew the song was completed and perfect? I wrote "One For Mrs Claus" rather quickly. It was kind of sitting there, wanting to unfurl. Sometimes you get lucky and the song is right there; others can take a while to hatch. What’s the story behind your album’s title? I knew I wanted to write a Christmas song this year, so I started to think about what I wanted to say. Well, there's about 5,000 songs about Santa, but there's really not much about Mrs. Claus. She doesn't even have a first name! I wanted to give her some representation, so I wrote her a song. We all know she's the real hero behind Christmas, anyhow; the one making this whole operation happen. It was time for her to have a proper song. When/where do you do your best writing?
I'm absolutely a morning person and feel the most creative during the early morning hours. I like to get fully caffeinated and then sit at the piano or guitar and mine for inspiration. Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination? In my early days of writing songs, they were very personal and confessional. I tend to be more story-driven now. Each song comes differently, though, and I try to serve it as best I can. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? My old band mate, Jaime Wyatt, used to say, "lift with your legs, not with your back". What’s your favorite food on the road? I love finding Indian food wherever I can! Do you have a favorite gift from a fan? I was on a little tour up the coast of California, and we played a venue in Carmel. After the show, I was talking to a girl who was in the audience and I complimented her jean jacket. She told me she loved the show so much that she insisted I take her jacket! I still have it and think of her kindness each time I wear it. Filmed in the photogenic Atwater Village watering hole The Griffin, the accompanying video stars Sheldon’s longtime friend Teri Hatcher as the song’s namesake cozying up to the neighborhood bar after a hard day’s work. “Set up a double, Jack,” Sheldon calls out to the bartender in each refrain, “This one’s for Mrs. Claus tonight.” http://janesheldonmusic.com/ https://www.instagram.com/janesheldonmusic/ https://www.facebook.com/JaneSheldonOfficial/
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