Shasta is a Bard with a guitar and describes his music as "bard rock". It's a seamless fusion of straight rock, folk rock and country-fried blues. This genre-bending sound is rich with melodies and texture; the music comes across as very meaningful and reveals that a lot of thought and talent goes into the creative process for Shasta. The key is the right emotional impact, and there's plenty of that in Shasta's music. He writes the kind of music in which emotive potency is vital. "Music can make me cry from pure joy or total sadness, depending on the song or my mood at the time", he says.

Lift You, Shake You, Twist You

Shasta prides himself on writing music that reaches right inside the listener's chest and grabs a hold of his heart. His songs can get a (welcome) death grip on you and keep you riveted till the last tune's over with. "I like to write songs that tend to lift you, shake you, twist you - insist that you listen (or make you do a double take)", Shasta reveals. His songs will do any combination of, and frequently, all of the above.

Fire

Shasta draws fuel from all around for songwriting fire as he taps into ideas and thoughts that ring with familiarity but which are presented in original fashion. On the title track of his latest release, for example ("No More Smoking!") Shasta tackles in hilarious but cutting fashion the recent slew of smoking bans around the world.

"I'm inspired by life, people, ironic circumstances or an interesting story - whatever is happening around me at the time that  sparks my interest." Inspired from such direction, he gets the audience's interest, delivering sharp lyrical observations, like: "No more smokin' in the factories - But I still smell your cheap perfume!" - "No more smokin' while you're drinkin' - no more smokin' while you pee - well I sure do feel so lucky to be so freakin' free!"

It's no wonder Shasta's songcraft has found a place on the airwaves.

The Artist at Work

World of Poetry has awarded Shasta both Golden Poet and Silver Poet honors. He recently released the album, "No More Smoking!" and has a dozen songs written for his next CD.

Paul van Kuik of Country Express Radio said of the release: "the album stands like a mountain!!! ...lyrics remind me of Dylan: rough and clear." Australia's 100.7 FM described Shasta's music has having a "rootsy sound that simply oozes social conscience ... an album that epitomises modern living!"

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck, says: Shasta's music is, "chock full of poetic justice, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and rollicking acoustic guitar parts".

Shasta is currently working with A&R Select, the leading A&R firm in Hollywood, CA

Publishing Company: Mountain Thunder Music (BMI)

Contact: Edward Bates

Available on ITunes & CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/shasta3.

Shasta