Shannon Bagent: The Five Question Interview

By Stacey (admin) on September 19, 2024

Shannon Bagent is an Owner at Black Sparrow Music Parlor based in Taylor, Texas.

1. Why did you move to Taylor?

Spring of 2016: I lived in South Austin. I worked all over, in live music. During any free time I'd get in the car and just drive straight out of Austin, in any direction. On one of these day trips, I came across this building that just spoke to me. I was 40 miles from home, in an empty and seemingly forgotten town. Almost all of the buildings were boarded up and not a single car, other than mine, was on the street. There was a sign in the window of the building that said, 'For Sale' but it wasn't a realtor's sign. It was store bought with a number written in black marker. I came back the next week and went inside and met the owner, Don. We got into an argument that day about why women act crazy. I liked him and he liked me. We knew how to talk to each other. I sold everything I owned back in Austin and put it all on the table. Don sold me the building. That's it. The building spoke to me and I went for it. That's what brought me to Taylor.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I had just turned 40 and working for other people had really run its course. I had to do something to make a living and Pinocchio's father (Geppetto) seem to have the right idea. One building, downtown, work up front, live in the back. That just made sense to me. Simple. Compact. Whether a candle maker, a shoe cobbler, a baker, or running a printing press, just keep it all under one roof. That was the life for me. I went with what I knew - live music.

3. Tell me three things you've learned in the past five years.

1. Deep grief robs you of a specific type of innocence that is impossible to know you have until it's gone. Deep grief changes you. You can get better. You can heal. But it changes you.

2. You can dial your life to perfection. You can really get it all right. You can find happiness. And then you can lose it, to no fault of your own. Shit happens. And we can't stop that. But we can learn to get good at rolling with it.

3. If you're self-sufficient and independent, the only reason to couple up is if doing so improves your life beyond what you can do by yourself.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

Currently I'm rewatching 'Sex and the City', which is bad and good. I'll likely stop watching it soon but... I said that last season.

I have about 15 books piled up on my nightstand, all of which I've read the first two chapters. I'm in one of those shameful phases where t.v. wins every time. I do write in my notebook before falling asleep every night, without fail.

5. Cake or Pie?

Why does this question make me angry? I hate the idea of having to choose. PieCake. (please deliver to 113 W 2nd Street in Taylor Texas, leave at the door and text 512-804-8626).

blacksparrowmusicparlor.com

@blacksparrowmusicparlor