Doug Shea
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Shea Hill are a little known two person act out of Milwaukee, WI, but singer/songwriter Doug Shea writes music like he’s been doing it for decades because, well, he has. Doug’s career started out with little known bands in the local area but he hit it pretty big (from an indie band standard) with Spirit Creek, almost nabbing a deal with Wind Up records. The Creek has long since run dry, but Shea’s musical abilities have done anything but. His new project, with bassist and musical color man Aaron Hill, showcase the power, emotion, and song writing ability that almost netted him a major label deal. All of this is on display in The Elegy Of Me.
I was told before I heard the record that it was this dark and edgy thing. After the first track nothing could be further from the truth. There are some songs that evoke a feeling of sorrow for sure, but the album is far from dark. I don’t think Doug can make dark music anymore as he is a man who is known for being very positive in his personal life, mostly because of his strong faith in his creator. The album’s first single “Away, Away” reads more like a song you’d listen to on a beach in the sun than in a dark room alone. I didn’t like the song at first, but it’s slowly growing on me. The thickly layered violins kinda throw me off as it’s not what I’m used to hearing from Shea in his music, but the song, outside of that, is really good.
“Why I Haven’t Given In” is a great acoustic kind of ballady song Doug has been writing for years now. It’s acoustic but not really as there are some great sprinklings of strings and various other things; none the less it’s a very powerful song. I was with someone when they first heard it and she said it almost made her cry; not because it was sad but because it was so beautiful. The song is, I suspect, Doug telling his wife she is his bedrock, and the reason he continues to pursue his dream despite numerous setbacks and delays. It’s a great song to play, I think, at a wedding for a first dance as it’s down tempo and would be easy to dance to because (thankfully) it’s not in a waltzy 3-4 time.
The album’s title track is really what does it for me. It’s the one song on the album that has that dark edge to it but still retains a lot of color thanks to what sound like bells or chimes in the background of the verses. Color is also brought in heavy over the chorus with some synth overdubs but the chord progression of the guitar and the music that kind of follows it in the song really retains that darkness. The song is just killer and quite frankly is one of the best song’s he’s ever written. I know that’s not a great qualifier since 99.9% of you have no frame of reference, but trust me, once you hear this song, you’ll hear how amazing it is.
The album as a whole is very solid. It’s an album you have to listen to in its entirety at first as there are a lot of little things going on musically that tie the whole album together. There are some times where I think the musical “coloring” was a little much, but that’s nitpicking. For a guy who’s starting his career over again, Doug Shea has taken a great first step and hopefully this album and its creator will be recognized for how good they truly are. - Ken Brzezinski
Excitement and buzz are in the air, on the net, and straight to the music industries' ears. Doug Shea of Spirit Creek is in the process of releasing his first solo album. Here is a sneak peek at Doug Shea's anticipated new LP.
I was fortunate enough to be in the circle of a chosen few who had the honor and opportunity to enjoy the enlightening tracks. I am here to bring you into the circle. You too can relish in the joy of witnessing for yourself , an artist of unbelievable talent and diversity.
Be sure to scroll down and press play, for your own unique experience of the soulful, heart-felt, and emotional gripping live performance video by Doug Shea.
While here , check out Spirit Creek, to be sedated into a spiritual and torrential musical experience.
Purchases available here.
Doug Shea's solo endeavor is proving beyond a doubt, that a star is not just born. A star is revealed through times, temptations, struggles, mysteries , and reflections. The lyrics alone for "Shadow Looming Nightmare" , give you a huge clue you're not listening to an ordinary alternative style of music, but a truly new genre of rock rapture.
Doug Shea's compositions ring eons of truth. The tones are brutally honest.
The best part of it all is falling deep into Doug's mesmerizing vocals.
You just want to hear more, see more, feel more.
You know you just walked through a doorway.
A corridor between heaven and hell, where we have all been.
Some places we dare not go. Doug Shea takes us there, then brings us back to
a life time of hopes and dreams revealed through his gift of music.
-Kellie Levans-
a.k.a Kidkel69
ROLLING STONE DREAMS
ALL~MOST FAMOUS VIDEO REVIEW MAGAZINE - -Kellie Levans- a.k.a Kidkel69 ROLLING STONE DREAMS ALL~MOST FAMOUS VIDEO REVIEW MAGAZINE
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-15323-Milwaukee-Rock-Music-Examiner~y2009m6d26-DOUG-SHEA--MILWAUKEE-SPOT-LIGHT-ARTIST
Excitement and buzz are in the air, on the net, and straight to the music industries' ears. Doug Shea of Spirit Creek is in the process of releasing his first solo album. Here is a sneak peek at Doug Shea's anticipated new LP.
I was fortunate enough to be in the circle of a chosen few who had the honor and opportunity to enjoy the enlightening tracks. I am here to bring you into the circle. You too can relish in the joy of witnessing for yourself , an artist of unbelievable talent and diversity.
Be sure to scroll down and press play, for your own unique experience of the soulful, heart-felt, and emotional gripping live performance video by Doug Shea.
While here , check out Spirit Creek, to be sedated into a spiritual and torrential musical experience.
Doug Shea's solo endeavor is proving beyond a doubt, that a star is not just born. A star is revealed through times, temptations, struggles, mysteries , and reflections. The lyrics alone for "Shadow Looming Nightmare," give you a huge clue you're not listening to an ordinary alternative style of music, but a truly new genre of rock rapture.
Doug Shea's compositions ring eons of truth. The tones are brutally honest.
The best part of it all is falling deep into Doug's mesmerizing vocals.
You just want to hear more, see more, feel more.
You know you just walked through a doorway.
A corridor between heaven and hell, where we have all been.
Some places we dare not go. Doug Shea takes us there, then brings us back to
a lifetime of hopes and dreams revealed through his gift of music. - Milwaukee Examiner
Discography
The Elegy of Me
Photos
Bio
For Doug Shea, the passionate pursuit of music represents his life story, not merely the contents of a resume. The heart-stirring works he composes and produces have become a remarkably important part in the lives of all his devoted listeners, through remarkably diverse ventures on his own recordings showcased on radio, theater & stage, pod-casts, many albums and now film. Hitting the road hard with 200-250 dates a year and touring over hundreds of college campuses along with the club circuits. Performing with over 40 Major Label recording acts such as Nickelback, Creed, Buckcherry, Stained, Lifehouse, Saliva, 3 Doors Down, Soul Asylum, Fast Ball, Tonic, Sister Hazel and Bush to name a few. With over seventy-five songs written where a handful made the semi-finals of such great songwriting contests, ISC, JLSC, IMC as well as a half dozen others. His touring act won “The Yahoo best unsigned band in America” award out of 2500 bands nation wide. As well as the song “…and Together” slated to be the original Spiderman move theme, but was dropped at the last minute. Shea then, accepted a job as a music director for a non-denominational church, expanding his musical horizons with choirs, hymns, drama as well as a multitude of instruments spanning from classical to contemporary. After four years Shea decided to move on to a new church allowing him the freedom and creativity to grow, develop and fine-tune all aspects of music. Where he works still today. Soon after Shea felt the urge to leave the band and record a “solo” project and in 2009 the writing process began. Aarron Hill's love for music started at an early age playing piano and performing in various bands. Until at later age Aaron started to jam in a successful and popular south eastern Wisconsin “cover” band. In need of a skilled bassist to play on his “solo” record Doug was blown away by Aaron's skill and asked if he would perform on the album. After hearing the initial scratch track of the recording Hill agreed to help out. During the process of recording the bass tracks Shea explained to Hill the concept behind the album and the type of sound he was hoping to create. Almost a year later, Doug Shea and Aaron Hill have been working together on the upcoming album “The Elegy of Me.” Moving from a new sound slated to be called “Doug Shea” and to the birth of Shea Hill! WINTER 2010 SHEA HILL THE ELEGY OF ME...
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