Who is Shadow?

Modern Rock/Spoken Word Songstress, Shadow carries 6 strings, 76 keys and a couple of sequencers to present poignant poetry, riveting rhythms, uncluttered yet vibrant choruses and melodies dancing up and down a 4 octave range to spew spoken word and song, with a ferocious flair to fan the flames that feed the fire, as a one woman, rock and roll medicine show spreading love from place to place.
Playing primarily festivals, bookstores, coffeehouses, libraries, subways, parks, house concerts and art exhibits, Shadow is joined by bassist/guitarist, Joe Cavanaugh and together they form, Shadow and Company. Fast becoming a global presence, Shadow's videos and music can be seen and heard on www.google.com, http://www.d-o-music.com/, http://www.myspace/.
Shadow is carving out her own unique niche as the Indie Modern Rock/Spoken Word Songstress.
After a year of recording and episodic performances in area coffee houses, the now split Shadow & Company released the renamed "One Giant Step" as "8 Steps Forward" a modern rock/spoken word milestone in Spring 2009. After the release of " 8 Steps Forward", bassist, Joe Cavanaugh cited new musical interests as the reason for the split.
In 2008, Shadow returned to the University of New Haven to complete her degree in Music. Her new album "One Giant Step" by Shadow and Company will be digitally released in January 2009.

During the summer of 2007, Shadow embarked on an ambitious effort, the RockaThon, to play as many shows in a weekend as possible in NY and MA. Shadow played In 2006, Shadow became officially "googled" as modern rock/spoken word Diva.
After 3 years online at CDBaby.com, Shadow sold her first single from her second Indie release "No Middle Ground".

It pays to believe in yourself!

Shadow also became the first performer to ink a deal with Marjolaines Bakery/Coffeehouse to do a 3 show concert series, "The Marjolaine Sensational Summer Concert Series on States Street in New Haven. Shadow haulted the release of her 3rd cd "Deep" in order to redefine and solidify the sound with her new bassist, Joe Cavanaugh.
With the recent rebuilding of guitarist/producer/mentor, Ronnie Neuhauser's Center For Free Thought in East Haven, Shadow has been focusing more on musicianship and less on playing out live.
In 2005, Shadow became the first performing artist in New Haven to receive an official street performers permit and can be seen on Saturdays near Starbucks on Chapel Street. Shadow is a local, award winning poet, singer, songwriter and artist educator. Shadow received an array of formal musical and artistic training at The Neighborhood Music School, Yale University, The Educational Center for The Arts and the Arts Council of Greater New Haven. Shadow has been a professional artist since first getting paid to sing in 1984 and had performed primarily as a solo artist until 2003.

After two years of playing venues across CT and NYC, Shadow and the two other bandmates from her original trio, Us, parted company in July 2005, right after completing their first full length CD, "Deep". Shadow has since continued to promote and market "Deep" with an anticipated release on September 2005 on cdbaby.com.
As a solo performer, Shadow has been featured at The Baggot Inn, The Nuyoricans Poets Cafe and The Orange Beer in NYC, as well as The Long Wharf Theatre, PizzaFest/IFest 2004, Artspace, Cafe9, BAR, The Tune-Inn, The International Festival of Arts and Ideas, The New Haven Advocate Festival and more. Collaborations have included Michael Mills; Obie Winner, Dal Orlander-Smith; international world music sensation, Sally Nyolo; Broadway dancer, Larry Farrell; Boston pianist, Jennifer Minuto and gospel greats, The Golden Stars.
Shadow is an artist/educator who writes grants and has worked with numerous area organizations to use art to bring attention to social issues. Her accomplishments include the writing, soundtracking and production of the 3 part video series on drug use, abuse and recovery, The S.A.V.E.(Substance Abuse through Video Education) Project in 2005; The "Eyes Wide Open" Conference on Domestic Violence in 2004; The DO Music Festival and Music Awards in 2003; "A Slip In The Dark, Women Artists Entertaining and Educating Around Womens Issues", a year long tour of schools, community, youth and treatment centers across CT.
Shadow has self published 2 books of interactive poetry, "Mommies and Nanas" in 2001 and "BRIDGES", a poetic journey of recovery in 1994. In addition, Shadow has created a line of jewelry, greeting cards and a body of abstract art. With a background in sales and marketing, Shadow works with other Indie artists to market and promote themselves through print, television and the Internet.
 

WEATHERING THE STORMS OF LIFE

Every day we are faced with different challenges and trials. From getting a flat tire to losing a loved one and we are not prepared for any of it. Each day is a new day never before seen and once its gone it cannot be recaptured. Therefore, I live each day to its fullest seizing each opportunity as a chance to grow, learn and to be better than I was yesterday, constantly striving to reach beyond my potential. "Shoot for the moon and you'll land among the stars."
I have been having a series of discussions with someone close to me about the fairness of life. When my 9 year old tells me "That's not fair." I tell him "Life isn't fair." It took me a long time to realize that it rains on the rich and the poor, the genius and the idiot, the righteous and the unrighteous. If we had not bad times, we could not appreciate the good times I saw we because I feel that I am a member of the human race; a spiritual being having a human experience. A Christian who is in the world but not of the world. I feel comfortable that in stating that my feelings are not new. If I have felt something odds are, so has someone else. My feelings are my own and I am entitled to feel any way I like and so is everybody. Its what I do with my feelings that makes the difference between good decision making and mental meltdown.
Dealing with feelings is a challenge especially being the care taking, feelings on my sleeve wearing, perfectionist that I am. I don't like emotional discomfort, pain or change and most of the people that I know don't like it either, but that doesn't change what I call cosmic reality; The only thing we have truly control in life is our feelings. We don't control other people even if we think we can. We can't control the weather or the environment. We can't control what happens in our lives because change is constant and inevitable. This is another cosmic reality. We can manage what how we conduct ourselves and interact with other people. We can control our behavior, but not our thoughts because if we could we would opt to think only happy thoughts. this is impossible because we are made up of all thoughts, not just certain ones.
Sometimes we can dwell on or remain in a negative thought process for so long that we have difficulty getting out and then we become hostage to our own thoughts. This is why I find it imperative to my growth to surround myself with like minded people who share my ambition, appreciation of life, love of mankind, etc. , so that I can obtain advice, support and strength and I can also share my advice, support and strength. "Pay it forward". I am now more settled and one of the most important lessons I have ever learned comes from an old friend named Linda Ofosu. "So a man thinketh so he is." This is a quote from the Bible, but I don't know what book. If you think you can't do something, be someone or have something, odds are you won't. the brain doesn't know the difference between the truth and a lie and it will direct you accordingly. I am no scientist, but I know that 90% of what I have wanted to do have and be in my life has come true, therefore I can proceed based on the averages that I expect that if I continue to do what I have been doing, I will continue to get what I have been getting. It is work to stay positive and motivated in this world, that is why we all need help. here is a list of some of my strategies for success. Now let me premise this by saying that life is not a bowl of cherries, it is a basket of fruit; apples, berries, pears and yes, some lemons. " when life gives you lemons make lemonade."

• Take a moment each day to connect with your inner self through prayer, meditation, a few moments of silence. Prayer for me is talking to God. Meditation or silent time is so I can hear God when he talks back.
• Take time each day to smell the roses literally and figuratively. Count your blessings.
• Smile and give someone else a compliment. It will give you warm fuzzies.
• We don't plan to fail, we fail to plan, so do something each day to work on your plan.
• take time at the end of each day to review your day and how you conducted yourself in the world. Were you honorable? considerate? loving? forgiving? tolerant?
• If you need to say I am sorry for bad behavior make amends, forgive yourself as soon as you can, don't put it off.
• Give someone a hug and say "I love you" daily.
• Talk about your dreams with someone you trust daily. this will get you to become more accountable to your goals.
• Do something fun just for you daily, so you don't lose perspective or hope.

Love, peace and hair grease.

This is the first one!

Hello and welcome to the world of DiGiTaL OvErDoSe Musical Productions, the online blog that takes you inside my world. My name is Shadow, modern rock, spoken word songstress. I am from CT, but most people think I am from NYC because of my attitude and outlooks. I believe I was born in NYC and when I was a baby my parents brought me to CT. No offense to CT, but people come across as a lot more conservative and rigid than those in NYC. CT has been good to me, but so has NYC.
The purpose of The DO is to share my opinions and experiences and hopefully, my readers will be able to identify with my stories, struggles and successes. Secondarily, it is provide a forum to educate, congregate and stimulate growth, movement and positive change.
I am an Independent musician, videographer, producer, poet, activist and substance abuse clinician. I work with communities and individuals to improve our societies through performing arts. As the internet is fast becoming our primary source of information and interaction, it is imperative for me to enter new arenas. Unlike many of the more seasoned bloggers, I will be posting at least once a week and more often if I have time, but I want readers to know they can depend on topical, inspirational and informative content. No garbage. I will not be blogging just to see my name in print. So as we start this journey together, I hope you will comment; good or not so good; share my blog with others and ultimately feel encouraged to continue or to start pursing your dreams. Peace, love and hair grease.

Shadow and Company LIVE! at The Mansion