New Westminster residents may know him best as Stephen O’Shea, executive director of the Arts Council of New Westminster and recent nominee for Citizen of the Year.
In another world, he’s Stephen Carl O’Shea, recording artist, and he has a new vinyl LP that’s launching into the world tonight. O’Shea is sharing the new 12” vinyl LP, Shadow Steps, with The Sylvia Platters in a new release by the Abbotsford community and campus radio station CIVL Radio 101.7 FM.
The bass player and co-founding member of the new wave band You Say Party, O’Shea worked on the album in the first half of 2018 at the Vancouver Public Library Inspiration lab. He teamed up with Vancouver producer Mike Gittens to complete songs he’s been working on since 2012.
“Simplifying his approach from past ‘all the sounds, all the time’ efforts with You Say Party, Stephen found a new voice that built on the political dance-punk lyrics he contributed to YSP’s earliest efforts,” says a press release.
The Sylvia Platters recorded their half of the split LP at Little Red Sounds in New West, with producer Felix Fung, with songs that range from “fuzzy and propulsive indie rock to understated dream pop,” as the release says.
Shadow Steps is part of the legacy of the 2017 Fraser Valley Music Awards presented by CIVL FM,
“CIVL had hundreds of artists apply for Fraser Valley Music Awards over the past two years,” said CIVL station manager Aaron Levy in the press release. “We are so excited to provide two of the highest-rated artists our judges reviewed, and two of the most active artists in our community, with the opportunity to produce the music that they love.”
The album title comes from a lyric shared on both sides of the record, reflecting he way each artist’s contribution plays off the other.
An album release party is being held in Abbotsford tonight (Oct. 19) at I-Lead Abby, 33775 Essendene Ave., with special guests Energy Slime. It’s an all-ages event set for 7 p.m., $5 to $10 or pay what you can.
A second release party is set for Vancouver on Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Avant-Garden, 729 Gore Ave., with guests Harlequin Gold. It’s an all-ages event set for 7:30 p.m., $10 or pay what you can.
For details, see www.stephenoshea.strikingly.com.
