When T21 comes across a talent, whether it is a poet, artist, or musician, we feel it is our duty to share these amazing talents with our readers.

Shantel Bolks is just that type of talent. The eighteen year old musician and singer/songwriter recently played a concert at The Beat Café, located at 29200 Hoover Road, Warren Michigan.

Shantel has just released her first album, “Drifter.” Recorded in her home town of Sioux Falls,  South Dakota by Cathouse Studios, http://www.cathousestudios.com/

The CD was produced by Mike and Kathleen McShane of TBC productions, also the owners of The Beat Café.

It was my bad luck that the evening that I came in to listen to Shantel, I sadly missed her performance. But Mike McShane, Shantel’s manager, gave me a copy of “Drifter” that I was able to listen to.

I sat down with Shantel and Mike and was privileged to be given the story of how they met, and Shantel’s journey to this point in her music career.

She has been playing guitar for only five and a half years; however, to hear this artist play one would never know. Shantel Bolks attacks the strings of her Takamine Guitar with all the skill and craft of a master that has been playing for years.

The vocals are just as masterful and her country folk style is mesmerizing in the way she executes each and every song on this album.   

Some of her inspirations to write and play come from other artists like Bright Eyes Saddle Creek records, Cat Power, and Ani Difranco. When I ask her what style she thinks she plays in, it is a simple answer, “Acoustic folk.” She also states that she owes her music taste to her sister Shaley who introduced her to various types and styles of music over the years. Her original intentions were to follow the Rock and Punk music genres, but found herself drifting back to folk and acoustic music.

Shantel Playing selections from her first CD, Drifter

Her first stage appearance took place at an event called “Loud and Local” in Sioux Falls, And that is where Mike found her, via Myspace.com.

At the time, Mike and his new wife, Kathleen were planning to honeymoon in Sioux Falls. Mike wanted it to be a special evening for him and his new bride on their first night in town. Mike did an internet search for musicians in the Sioux Falls area and found Shantel on Myspace.com.  He asked Shantel to come out to the restaurant they were at and sing “The Anniversary Song”  by the Cowboy Junkies. And of course, after further planning, the evening came and Shantel performed the song flawlessly.

But, Mike realized that he had forgotten to record the moment for posterity, He contacted Shantel again and asked her if she would be interested in recording a copy of the song and also, if she had other original music she could add to the CD. Of course she stated that she did, and it was at this point when “Drifter” came to life with the backing of Mike and Kathleen McShane. Since its release “Drifter” has been flying off the shelves. And her release party at The Beat Café was a great success.

You can find Shantel Bolks’ new CD, “Drifter at No depression.net, MySpace, CD Baby.com, Amazon, and Sirius radio. At this time Mike and Shantel are working out the details with regards to a national tour and a new CD to come out within the next year.

Troubadour 21 highly recommends this artist and her New CD “Drifter” for your listening enjoyment.

For further information on this act, and the CD, Drifter you can contact Mike by E-mail at: beatcafewarren@yahoo.com

Or by phone at 586-576-0317