“Purity and honesty in his approach that gets more and more intense with each track... like you’re riding a wave of energy” ~ Higher Plain Music

“Thoughtful, minimalist. The ghost of Syd Barrett watches over everything... ‘another sonic leap forward” ~ Real Gone Rocks

“An almost painful intimacy to his words despite the oblique phrasing and imagery he conjures” ~ Isolation Records

“An ascent out of singer-songwriter folk territory into something bordering on punk and psychedelia” ~ Fatea Magazine

“Beautifully raw, uncluttered and quite cinematic... Melodically infectious and lyrically mysterious ~ Newport Naked

New Orleans-based alternative folk-rock artist Fred Abong presents the single 'Shadows' from his latest 'Fear Pageant' album, recently released via Seattle label Disc Drive. This is Abong's seventh long-player to date.

Shadows, swans, and spooky trees. An aged romantic lip syncing poorly. Carnival organs, distorted steel drums, and cheesy synth piano. Dramatic black and white footage. Understated color splashes and expert frame dissolves. This video has it all.

Fred Abong got his musical start in the 1980’s on the Rhode Island hardcore punk scene. In the early 1990s, he played bass for Throwing Muses and then Belly. Putting music on hold for academic pursuits, he then earned a PhD in Humanities and taught at various universities for eight years before returning to music. Now back as a solo artist, Abong also plays bass in the Kristin Hersh Electric Trio.

A Filipino-American singer-songwriter, Abong's music has a raw and unpolished production aesthetic with an overall direct, though deceptively imaginative and oblique, presentation. Abong has also been a practicing Vedic astrologer for the past 20 plus years.

"Shadows came into being in much the same way as all my songs do … via a set of strong images or vignettes that flood into my head in response to a piece of music I’ve written," says Fred Abong.

"I mentioned that the song makes me want to slow dance with my woman. This is exactly what I was seeing when I first laid down the arpeggiated chord progression that constitutes the beginning of the song … that and her lovely silhouette dappling every surface in the room. Those images gave way to Homeric scenes, something like Odysseus returning to Penelope after the Trojan War. A sense of triumph is the idea, though in this case not over armed conflict, but over a long and bloody war of the heart. Prayers of gratitude are in order."

Creating music that is a blend of “ragged Replacements and lyric-driven Bob Dylan” and “Elliott Smith with balls”, his songs are existentially and romantically focused, poetic, and slightly off-kilter. Detuned guitars, unconventional song structures, and a raw and unpolished production aesthetic characterize the overall sound. Fred’s hypnotic, sometimes gravelly voice adds to the effect.

"Shadows is kind of the sleeper track on Fear Pageant, if you ask me. Blatantly and unapologetically romantic, it feels to me like Kenny G meets Leonard Cohen. It borders on, but never crosses into, total cheesiness. At least, I don’t think it does. But you will have to be the judge of that. In any case, the song makes *me* want to slow dance with my lady … I hope you find yourself in a similar state when you hear it," says Fred Abong.

Abong earlier teased several tracks from the album, including 'Father', 'My Way'and 'Fear Pageant'. This new record follows Abong's 'Yellowthroat' album, released in 2022 and recorded with Rob Ahlers (50FOOTWAVE, Kristin Hersh Electric Trio) and earlier albums 'Homeless', 'Pulsing' and 'OMOPH'.

The 'Fear Pageant' album is out now and available across fine music platforms, including Bandcamp. The record is available on vinyl or as a digital download.

CREDITS
Music and lyrics by Fred Abong
All songs recorded, mixed and performed by Fred Abong
All instruments by Fred Abong
Mastered by Fred Thomas
Videos by Fred Abong
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR

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Scottish metalcore outfit FROM SORROW TO SERENITY have shared their new single, titled "Shadows", along with an accompanying music video.

"With the release of 'Shadows' we're branching out into new and unexplored territory for FSTS, as we look inward and reflect upon ourselves - no longer looking out into the world for inspiration," says guitarist Steven Jones.

Steven adds:

"Shadows is the most 'straight to the point' we've ever been, both musically and lyrically, as we explore our own battles with mental health. The original inspiration for the song was our bassist's struggle with PTSD, though during the writing process it became apparent that we all relate to the song in our own individual ways, and that the words contained cover a much broader spectrum. It's important to us that our music is an honest representation of who we are as people - and 'Shadows' marks the first step further into the minds of our members.

2020 has been a year to remember, or forget for some, where tackling mental health is at the forefront of society, and we take pride in sharing with complete transparency our own, very personal, take on the matter.

It's important to speak your mind about your thoughts and understand yourself as best you can. If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression and/or suicidal thoughts - please reach out to someone. There are links below to people who can help you:

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.samh.org.uk"

FROM SORROW TO SERENITY Lineup:

Gaz King - Vocals

Steven Jones - Guitar

Andrew Simpson - Bass

Ian Baird - Drums

For More Info Visit:

https://www.facebook.com/FSTSOFFICIAL/

https://www.instagram.com/fromsorrowtoserenity/https://FromSorrowToSerenity.lnk.to/shadows

American alternative crooner Fred Abong (Throwing Muses, Belly) brings new offering - 'Shadows' from the 'Fear Pageant' LP

FROM SORROW TO SERENITY Share New Single & Music Video for "SHADOWS"