Shapinska Rock (Shuh-PIN-ska Rawk) is a world that creates endless
opportunities to make the most of any situation. Every atom of
Shapinska Rock is immersed in joy. Both physical and immaterial, it
embraces all forms of life and music emanates from its core.
This whole thing started when a house fire destroyed all of Crystal's
belongings except her guitar. A few days later, she was sent to Europe
by a company that could no longer afford to pay her after two weeks.
Jobless and homeless, Crystal seized the opportunity and remained in
Europe for half a year. She roamed the streets of Denmark, Czech
Republic, UK and Spain, with her guitar, notebook and a simple
recording set up. Each newly written song arose from an aspect of the
imaginary Shapinska Rock world.
Crystal came back to the US excited to develop the songs into an album.
She met producer/multi-instrumentalist Filippo DeAngelis a few months
after her return and they began production. As recording progressed on
the album, the Wolves started playing dynamic live shows in
the San Francisco Bay Area in May 2005. By the end of the summer the
band had completed their first tour, including a benefit show at CBGB
in NY to save it from closure, and independently distributed over 2500
copies of "Shapinska Rock Sampler EP", a six-song taste of the debut
album.
In support of Shapinska Rock, in March 2006 they toured the southwest
on their way to Austin, Texas to play during the Alternative SXSW. They
are currently recording their new record in the the rolling hills of
California gold country. The current
touring band is the dynamic duo of Crystal Eastman (guitar, lead
vocals) and Filippo DeAngelis (drums, harmony).
To
read the full story about CATW in Intermixx
Magazine, click to download Issue #101 (page 3). That's Crystal
on the cover (bottom left).
Websites
www.crystalandthewolves.com
www.myspace.com/crystalandthewolves
Discography
May 11, 2006: Independently release of album "Shapinska Rock"
July 2005: Independently released Shapinska Rock SamplerEP
Additional Facts about Shapinska Rock
and Crystal and the Wolves
Who: The Record Shapinska
Rock was performed by Crystal Eastman (vocals,
guitar, piano, freenotes) and Filippo DeAngelis (drums, bass, harmony,
guitar, freenotes), with the addition of Brian Scholl (drums) on "So
Called Holy Ladders".
What: Shapinska Rock is a 13-song debut album by Crystal and the
Wolves, released by their own independent label, Ears With Gears
Records.
Where: Shapinska Rock was recorded and mixed on Treasure Island in the
San Francisco Bay at Ears With Gears Studio, which is also their home.
It was mastered by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA.
When: Shapinska Rock was recorded between March and November in 2005
and released on May 11, 2006. It's available on CDBaby
and itunes.
Why: Because Shapinska Rock's message of happily overcoming life's
obstacles through resolute acceptance and intelligent action is
eloquently expressed by Crystal's soaring performances that combine
catchy melodies with insightful lyrics on a record that reclaims the
album as art form in our Digital MP3 Era.
How: Shapinska Rock was recorded using a Yamaha AW16G Workstation.
There was no computer, no midi, no auto-tune, no cut and paste, and no
ProTools. No virtual anything! This album features genuine performances
by Real People Playing Actual Instruments.
"Crystal And The Wolves are a Pop band with bundles of imagination."
From an interview with Steve DIY for Punk Globe Magazine
http://www.punkglobe.com/crystalwolvesinterview.html
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