Deep Shallow Band has deep Stanly roots, releases new album
Two Stanly residents, founders of a regionally renowned band which calls their music “Southern Soul Rock and Roll,” recently celebrated the release of a new album.
Rusty Stevens, the lead guitarist and main songwriter for the Deep Shallow Band, has lived in Stanly County since 1999. His founding partner, Mike Vanhoy, is an Albemarle native with more than 40 years of playing guitar with bands such as Right Turn Clyde.
The new album, “Copy and Paste,” was recorded at Sioux Sioux Studio in Charlotte and produced by Jason Scavone and Mike Mitschele. Scavone has written music for TV shows such as “One Tree Hill” and the duet “My Repair” with Brandi Carlile. Mitschele toured the world playing bass for the band Jolene, which toured with Hootie and the Blowfish.
Stevens and Vanhoy formed in 2010 as an acoustic duo. The band formed four years later. Deep Shallow now includes 37-year music veteran Trey Walker on drums, bass player and backup singer Rob Conrad and 43-year guitarist Chip Cooper.
“We’re a mix between the Black Crowes and the Allman Brothers,” Stevens said. “(Copy and Paste) is a record that I believe is diverse. I think it can reach a really broad audience.”
The second track on the record, “Go Home,” is one Stevens said many people have liked, but it was the latest of the songs he wrote.
“It was just me hanging out at the house. I didn’t even make it out of bed before I said, ‘I need my guitar,’ ” Stevens said. “I went and got it and the song just came out.”
At a listening party, Stevens said, “Trippin’ ” caught the attention of a fellow musician.
Regarding the producers of the album, Stevens said, “We went in with really good songs and came out with great songs. Part of that was being open-minded enough to work with our producers … brilliant guys that I put together for the first time. They had never worked together.”
“The Deep Shallow Band is full of exceptional musicians, and every song was well-crafted,” Scavone said. “Their open-mindedness and eagerness to take risks are a testament to their dedication to their craft and unwavering passion for music. I believe this record will strike a deep emotional chord with listeners, and it was a privilege to be a part of its creation.”
The album’s producers, Stevens said, “just made things interesting. They kept the sound; they didn’t change the sound at all.”
Starting with “Song A,” a “jam song, Stevens said, then going into a different song with “Go Home” was important.
Along with the band, many guest performers contributed to the album, including keyboardist Jason “Greasy Keys” Atkins, known for playing the organ at Charlotte Checkers home games. Mitschele adds some guitar along with vocals from Jackie Fallar.
Fallar’s vocals, Stevens said, gives the band some of the feel of the Black Crowes, who always had a female vocalist.
The new album is now available on digital platforms such as Amazon Music and iTunes.
The official album release party will be at Visulite Theatre in Charlotte Sept. 23.
“I want people to come to the gig already knowing the songs … we want to surprise them with our live performance more,” Stevens said.
Tour dates and other information is at the band’s website, www.thedeepshallowband.com.