My Debut Ep - Wasteland

Hey Friends, Fam, Acquaintances, Colleagues and Everyone in between!

If you've spent any amount of time with me, you know that music in all its shapes and forms has driven and continues to drive my life in many ways. I've been blessed to create and perform in many spheres and am so very thankful for the many opportunities to write, produce and create with bands, artists, churches, and musicians over the previous years of my life. As you may or may not know though, creating a project solely for myself has been a goal and a great passion of mine for many many years. Some may say it's been a New Year's Resolution at the top of lists in 2016, 2018, 2020, as well as 2023. But in actuality, this has been a goal and resolve of mine since a young age - and one that God has begun to unwrap and bring to fruition in this new year. Life is a funny thing, and we often sit and ask/wonder WHY it took so long - OR WHY it took what it did to make it all happen and arrive on the other side. But as the vision and the heart for this EP came together - it became clear that MY timing was flawed - and better timing was on the way. I have been so blessed to be able to work with some of the best musicians and producers in the world on this project. Jeremy Radio(Smith) on Bass/Guitars (Mack Brock, John Mark Mcmillan, Thousand Dollar Movie), Dominic Geralds on Drums (Elevation Worship, Mack Brock, John Mark McMillan), Kevin Smith on Guitars (Painted Shapes, Astro Diver, The Raineers), and keys/synths/soundscapes as well as mixing and mastering by Leonardo Solis (Flagship, SOLIS, Ava Davis York). With a few other friends jumping on and lending their creative talents to bring this whole thing to life!

The EP is titled Wasteland which came from the feelings and emotions and desperation I think a lot of us have felt over the previous years. The project begins with a feeling of desolation and loneliness but arrives in a place of hope as the Wasteland comes to end and the joy of NEWNESS begins. As I was writing this project a passage from scripture in the book of Isaiah came to mind where it says "For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland" Something new bubbling up in the Wasteland of life, in the Wasteland of season or of situations. We don't always get to choose how life plays out - but I am SO thankful that 1. Seasons don't last forever and we get to walk towards new seasons- step by step. There is always a start and an end. And 2. That there is something NEW breaking up from underneath the dry, barren, landscape.

So here we are. The start of a new year not too far behind us. The start of a new thing. And the start of hopefully a new hope and heart as we crest over the horizon of seasons past. Whether you believe in God or not, I hope this EP and project can encourage you, can cry with you in moments of heartache and pain, and then lift you and walk with you as you make strides toward the dawn of new seasons. I hope you will choose to partner with me in bringing these songs and lyrics out and into new days.

No matter the contribution, whether it be monetary or simply through a prayer or encouraging word - know that EVERY donation is celebrated, valued, and NEVER taken for granted. I am forever grateful. Know that you are a part of this story and these songs that will find their way to listeners' ears in the depths and heights of seasons everywhere. If for any reason you are uncomfortable with giving through GoFundMe - please reach out so we can find another way to partner(venmo, cashapp, paypall, cash, WHATEVER!). Through your contribution-every dollar will go towards tracking/recording, distribution, marketing, and merchandise, as well as the beginning process of taking these songs out to listeners everywhere this summer and the days to follow.

As a thank you to ANYONE who contributes, I'll be sending each single(Black Sheep, Pressed, and Wild) your way for you to enjoy before the EP's full release later this year. And even if you choose NOT to partner with me for this project-stay connected and keep an eye out for Show Dates, Merch, and other exciting updates in the days/weeks/months to come!

Thank you for your generosity, your friendship, your collaboration, and your partnership in making these songs and this project a reality. The words, melodies, and music written into these songs come from the years of life and memories with each of you. So thank you:) Let's make something new fam! Love you all!

-Jonathan Shaheen

+Jono Shah Music+