The Shants – Russian River Songs EP
Hailing from Oakland CA and describing their music as “slow southern folk” The Shants are – Skip Allums (guitars,vocals,piano), Samuel Tokheim (pedal steel) , Carver Cordes (bass) and Adam Burstein (drums) with Maggie Morris on harmony vocals.
The lead off track from their debut EP Russian River Songs sets the tone nicely and fits easily into the Americana genre, the mood created by the pedal steel and acoustic guitar set against the weary vocal and hushed harmonica fitting the song perfectly.
The EP was created in a cabin in the redwoods near the Russian River, recorded live to tape in one or two takes and has that natural organic sound that fits the songs well. As the album progresses the clear winner for me in this 8 track 30 minute song cycle is the steel playing of Samuel Tokhein that weaves through the songs offering a perfect foil for the laid back vocals of Skip Allums.
This album may not shout out to be noticed but it manages to subtly win over your attention, check out more from the band at their website
The band have plans to record and release a full length album soon – watch this space for updates.