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After rescuing a dog three years ago, Salt Lake City-based pop musician Sean Hipp quickly realized his life would no longer be the same. So much so that working with animals and donating his talents to animal rescue groups has become one of his passions.

"Animal rescue has been something pretty close to my heart," he said.

A Baltimore native, Hipp has spent years studying classical and pop techniques. After graduating high school, he moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. Four years ago, he decided to leave college and focus on his music career.

A pop musician at heart, he channels inspirations like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Gavin DeGraw when creating his sound. Most recently, Hipp was inspired to write a song called "I'm Alive" for the Park City-based animal rescue group, Nuzzle & Co. The song was performed at the recent Nuzzle & Co. gala, and 20 percent of the proceeds through sales of the song on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon will be donated to the organization.

"In starting to write the song, I didn't want to write a song about cats and dogs but the feeling that I get of why rescuing made me feel so good," he said. "I feel like I identified with the struggle that the animals had."

When he is not making music, Hipp works part time at Willow Creek Pet Center doing graphic design and running the business' social media. He talked to The Tribune about trying to make it as a pop musician, the inspiration behind "I'm Alive" and what he hopes for his music.

Making the connection

I can't sing anything unless I feel like I have a connection to it, and it's the same when I write. I don't necessarily write a song about a life experience, but I more draw from the feelings and the emotions from those life experiences and how they've shaped me. Our emotions and the way that we've reacted to experiences really shape who we are. If I am writing from a place of my own personal experiences, I try to write it ambiguously enough that anyone listening to it can connect with it or relate to it based on something they've experienced.

For love of animals

I rescued a dog three years ago and she completely changed my life. I had heard about this gala that Nuzzles & Co. was having. We got in contact and we talked about it. It seemed like the perfect fit [to get involved with]. As an artist, whatever platform I am afforded, I don't want that to be used just for my music. I'd want to use that type of voice for things that I care about.

"I'm Alive"

I co-wrote with Adrian de la Cruz from the band Cinders. I wrote all the lyrics but Adrian co-wrote the music with me. I wanted to write about why rescuing made me feel so good. I felt like I identified with the struggle that the animals had. I wrote it from a place in my life where I felt like I had no control and was powerless. Through it all, I am still here. I could say that to this person and to this situation that was bringing me down. I could look them in the eye and say, "You tried to get me but the joke is on you because I am still here. I'm alive and that's not going to change." That is something that everyone can identify with. Whether it's something small or big, universally, everyone has experienced something like that. That's the feeling that is similar to why Nuzzles does what they do to help these creatures that are powerless.

A space of empowerment

We hear a lot of songs about struggle that are super encouraging. When you are in the thick of it, that is sometimes the last thing you want to hear. I don't want someone to feel inspired or encouraged by this song but feel empowered. "I'm Alive" delves into the dark side of struggle but through it all you're still here and that's the most important thing. I want people to feel self-empowered to know that what they need is in them. Whatever that looks like for that person, I want that to come through. I feel like all the music I write, I would want people to feel that empowerment. I want them to feel that inner fire pulsing through their body. That's really what music has done for me and what I want to bring to other people.

Looking to the future

As far as music, I want as many people as possible to hear and enjoy my music. I'm shooting for the stars. I can't say what exactly that will look like, but I want to share my music with as many people as can possibly hear it. —

'Alive' and empowered

Sean Hipp's new single, "I'm Alive," is available online through iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Amazon. He is donating 20 percent of sales from the single to Nuzzles & Co., a Park City-based pet rescue and adoption nonprofit, to help buy a new van to transport rescued animals.