ABOUT
The Shants’ slow-burning sound originates from the rural backgrounds of its members: from South Louisiana delta pines, to the brusk plains of Minnesota to the rolling hills of the Central California Coast. The Shants now call Oakland, California home.
The Shants started in the fall of 2009, when Skip (guitars, vocals) called up Sam to lend his pedal steel to a few demo recordings of old and new songs. Soon after, Adam (drums) and Carver (bass) were recruited to set the rhythmic foundation.
Last year, The Shants’ demo EP, Russian River Songs (recorded live in the redwoods north of San Francisco, released by High Scores & Records) garnered praise from places like FILTER and No Depression, and have been welcomed by the roots/Americana/country/what- have-you community thanks to a bit of international blog buzz (you can see full press kit here). The Shants continue to play up and down the West Coast, spreading their low, lonesome sound. The Shants have opened for artists like Basia Bulat, Adam Acuragi, Damien Jurado, Jonathan Richman, Songs Ohia, Barbara Manning, and many more.
Beautiful was the Night, the band’s debut full length album, is a haunted love letter to singer Skip Allums’ home state of Louisiana. The album was recorded in Oakland at Rec Center and Tones On Tail Studios by Eliot Curtis, with some vocal harmonies from Brianna Lea Pruett & Quinn Deveaux, violin by Howie Cockrill, and horns by Ralph Carney (Tom Waits, Black Keys) as well as the Blue Bone Express. Beautiful was the Night will be available September 2011. The album was funded in part by The Shants’ fans, via Kickstarter.
Skip Allums:
guitars, vocals, harmonica
Born & raised just outside Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Collects beat-up guitars. Root beer connoisseur. Loves Junior Kimborough, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Fats Domino.
Sam Tokheim:
pedal steel, guitars
Grew up outside of a Minnesota town you’ve never heard of. Enjoys volleyball, snowboarding & canoeing up near the Canadian border. Musical favorites inlcude: Dwight Yoakam, The Jayhawks, Richard Buckner & The Smiths.
Carver Cordes:
bass, vocals
Comes from the Central Coast of California, near San Luis Obispo. Usually on a bicycle. Works at Rasputin Records in Berkeley. Loves soul music.
Adam Burstein:
drums
Los Angeles transplant. Listens to a lot of jazz - loves the work of Peter Erskine and Brian Blade. Has a deep appreciation for trees.
The Shants? That’s a weird name…. What’s the story?
