The melodies of HouseCat returned to Maxwell’s Concerts and Events on Jan. 23, 2026, to recognise the professional legacy of Shannon Lee, a local musician and Laurier alum.
Lee was a musician, songwriter, sound technician, and alumnus of the Wilfrid Laurier University Integrated Musical Arts program. According to the Laurier website, she was a local talent who brought creativity, insight, and warmth to every space and community. She passed away at the age of 24 on Nov. 7, 2025.
The event attendees included Lee’s close family, acquaintances, and HouseCat fans.
Shannon was known for her deep artistry, curiosity and collaborative spirit that elevated group projects and conversations. Outside of music, she also volunteered with Laurier’s Food Distro initiative, supporting students experiencing food insecurity. Housecat bandmate Emily Gilbart noted that Lee’s volunteerism reflects Lee’s broader commitment to activism and standing up for marginalised groups.
Lee was also the driving force behind Housecat. Gilbart, who met Lee at Laurier, described her as the “founder” and “glue” of the group. Beyond her vocal talent, Lee acted as the band’s organiser, organizing rehearsals and meticulously managing their presence on the scene.
“Shannon’s personality and stage presence were just so fun,” Gilbart said. “I think it was the most fun I’ve probably ever had on stage.”
Outside of her performance, Lee was known for her meticulous and quirky pre-show rituals. Gilbart recalled how Lee would write the band’s setlists using markers and customised stickers, ranging from Peppa Pig to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for each member.
“She had amazing ways of writing… super devastating, tragic lyrics, connected with an intense compassion,” Gilbart said.
For Kieran Lee, Lee’s youngest brother, and second-year Photography student at Toronto Metropolitan University, her musical passion was a lifelong soundtrack. He said that Lee’s journey was a family legacy, sparked by their father’s own history in a band, which initiated her lifelong curiosity. He also recalled her singing out loud at home, from the shower to her bedroom.
“It’s one of those things that, when I think about it now, it makes my house feel a little empty,” he said. “I feel like I won’t ever get to witness it again.”
Kieran said that people grieve over the tragic loss of someone for their entire lives—grief is not something that disappears.
He said that seeing the scale of the Waterloo community’s support provided a sense of comfort for his family.
Kieran said his experience at the concert was surprising because there were so many people who knew his name, because Lee talked about her younger brother a lot.
“It felt really nice and a little bit more comforting, in that sense, to hear all these things about my sister and how much she loved her siblings and how much she loved her brothers,” he said. “I found it really comforting, and it’s really nice to see how much music really brings people together and how much it really creates connection through people.”
For him, the song “Porch Orange” was a standout moment where he could almost hear Lee singing along on stage.
Cameron O’Connell, an acquaintance of Lee and a HouseCat fan, noted that the band’s song “Play Dead” had a significant impact on him.
“I think that it means a lot to her family, and I wish she could know how much she meant to us,” O’Connell said. “This concert is deeply personal and there is so much love here. Everyone is showing the utmost care.”
Gilbart reflected on the void Lee leaves behind, stating she doesn’t envisage the band continuing without its driving force.
“I don’t think that we’ll be a band in the future without her,” said Gilbart. “I think another hard aspect was feeling like this could be the last time that I play some of these songs that I love so much.”
The tribute to Shannon featured performances from all her favourite people. These ranged from her bandmates and best friends to her favourite bands and even a suprise performance by Kieran; his first time on stage, trailing Shannon’s footsteps.
At the end of the night, volunteers gathered on stage to have their heads shaved by a group of eager amateur barbers. This was a beautiful call back to the release party of The Porch Orange EP in 2024, where the finale saw Gilbert grabbing the shears and shaving Shannon’s head to the soundtrack of HouseCat’s tune, “Shave My Head.”
Shannon’s impact is omnipresent in each of the lives she touched. Ending the night on a chorus of ‘Shave for Shannon’ felt all too fitting, despite the somber atmosphere, the perserverance of music and community are only small fragements of the impact that she had.
The desire to preserve Lee’s essence is shared by her family. Kieran hopes that Shannon’s friends and acquaintances will remember her.
“I hope that everyone who gets introduced to her music can really tell who my sister is, even if they don’t personally know her,” Kieran said.
Contributed Photo/Sangjun Han
