April 11, 2013
by Eric Sutter
A milestone personal and professional achievement by local
singer-songwriter Shanta Paloma will occur Thursday, April 11th at 8pm at the
Elevens when her debut CD release party happens. The CD consists of songs from
the past decade that symbolize love and truth, all presented in her unique
Indie rock style with full band. In the Spotlight (ITS) spoke to her recently.
ITS: How did you get your start in music?
Shanta: I have always been interested. When I was 15, I
secretly took my Dad's guitar and played his Beatles anthology song book.
"Eleanor Rigby" was the first song I learned. That is when I started
writing. At Wesleyan University, I learned World Music. I took guitar lessons
from Pioneer Valley native Sue Burkhart. Moving to NYC, I gigged in
singer-songwriter sessions including CBGB's. Eventually, I moved back to the
Valley and became a music teacher and gigged.
ITS: Who inspired you musically growing up?
Shanta: My father, who played sitar in an Indian restaurant,
and my mother,who played violin. As for musical artists, the 80's hair metal,
90's alternative rock, jazz and flamenco/bossa nova artists.
ITS: The song from your CD "Under Your Kiss" is a
video on YouTube. Where was it filmed?
Shanta: In Monson behind my bass player Jesse Mushenko's
house. He filmed it while I sang it with my guitar in a tree. He swung around
like a monkey to get it all.
ITS: Is there a song that connects you to fellow artist
Matto, who paints as you sing at occasional solo gigs?
Shanta: There is one love song called "Rhapsodic
Inspiration" that I wrote in college. That one fits us perfectly.
ITS: What are your future aspirations?
Shanta: Basically to continue writing and performing with
the band. We are planning "The Badass to Baroque Tour to Las Vegas"
for spring, 2014. I also want a studio to write, record and sell songs from. As
a musician, I want to become a better classical player.
ITS: Good luck on your endeavors and CD release party.
Shanta: It is very exciting. Thanks, and I hope to see you there.
