Stamadios! by Chris Shahin

Initially conceived during the reflective first months of the COVID pandemic, Stamadios! finds guitarist Chris Shahin unafraid to challenge his own creative process. In those isolating days which permeated distance and disconnection, Shahin found opportunity. He discovered the creative potential of platforms like SoundBetter and Fiver, which granted him the chance to affordably collaborate with session musicians across the globe. This creative shift was a complete revelation for his songwriting, which was typically confined to acoustic trio settings.
“It’s miraculous,” notes Shahin. “If you’re a producer, you can really have access to things that were unattainable before.” Working with Steven Glaze at Tone Freq Studios in downtown San Jose to mix the project, the two blended a new series of shades into his musical vision. Early ensemble tracks were recorded with bassist Ken Okada and drummer Jason Lewis.
Stamadios! is also the first time in 20 years that Shahin penned lyrics to his music. His words, plaintive and playful, find space in a layered tribute to his father (“I Was Born (Son of A King),” an impressionistic celebration of the changing seasons (“It’s Spring!”), and an anthem for creative freelancers (“Yo! … Where’s My Money?”).
The opening title track was inspired from an encounter with a young Uber driver at Disneyland, which fueled the narrative of a family concerned about a youngster’s wasted potential – not to mention the shameful family fallout (“What will the neighbors say? What will the family think?” implores vocalist Gabriela Noriega). Distanced contributions from session musicians help bring Santana-esque Latin flavor to “Yo! .. Where’s My Money,” add a dank cabaret energy to “Poor Me,” and deliver a worldly, Eastern flair to the dramatic “I’ll Never Hide My Face,” which channels the voice of Mishsa Amini, killed for not wearing a headscarf in Iran in 2022.
“The Elegant Elevator” pays homage to the instrumental pop music Shahin recalls hearing on radio station KBAY while stocking shelves at his father’s market. “Catalina” and continues the casual vibes. The song’s uplifting guitar and vibraphone melodies, running parallel, provide the ideal intro music for an imagined morning show in a picturesque, imagined getaway. “the Flagship”, “It’s Spring” and “Jazz Waltz” add subtle re-sets to the 13-song set, creating a deliberate sense of pacing that helps Shahin share the album’s eclectic feel without it feeling forced. Album closer “Searching for Andres” sends the listener off with a note of whimsy. The song honors guitarist Andres Faz an inspiration who was once a staple around Shahin’s native San Jose.
The nylon string guitar may be the unifying influence throughout this project, but it does not consistently take the spotlight. In this restraint, Shahin reveals his mastery. “I’m about making the song sound the best it can,” he says.

-Brandon Roos