Shake Off The Winter Blues With Shasta’s New Single ‘Roaming Hearts’

Shasta are an indie all star band, made up of names you’ll know and with a sound you’ll love. Their new song, ‘Roaming Hearts’, is out March 13, through Dowd Records.

Micayla Grace, known for her work with Albert Hammond Jr, and for being a part of Bleached, teamed up with Jennifer Duardo and started writing songs together in San Francisco, having met – literally – in a dark alley in the Mission District. The pair hit it off and realised they were kindred spirits. Joining them in Shasta is Jon Sortland, from The Shins, and Cecilia Della Perruti, who’s played with Gothic Tropic, and Beck.

Their new single, ‘Roaming Hearts’, conjures up images of the Summer Of Love; think The Doors, or The Mamas And The Papas.

There’s also more contemporary artists that are called to mind, such as Carly Rae Jepsen, and Irish female-led group, Soda Blonde.  It’s laid back, it’s chilled, it’s actually pop in its purest form, with a swirling synth, looping around over and over and over, with the perfectly blended vocals from Micayla and Jennifer a constant and soothing presence with their dreamy harmonies, and unmistakable West Coast sound.

Jon, on drums, just drops in and out where it’s needed, he doesn’t take over, he doesn’t make it his show. The analogue synths are exactly what the song needs, conveying that SoCal sound that we love so much, instantly pulling us out of our winter stupor and transporting us to a place where sunny days and azure skies are the norm.

We can’t talk about this track without also mentioning the music video. A definite nod to the 60s, it’s been shot using a retro filter, and features psych elements, and some seriously groovy animation. The setting is a day without a care in the world, wandering in a forest, playing at the beach, walking along abandoned tracks. If you don’t feel chilled afterwards then there’s no hope for you!

‘Roaming Hearts’, by Shasta, is out March 13.

Shasta - Roaming Hearts (Official Music Video)

About the author

Lisa has been writing for over 20 years, starting as the entertainment editor on her university newspaper. Since then she's written for Popwrapped, Maximum Pop, Celebmix, and ListenOnRepeat.

Lisa loves all good music, with particular fondness for Jedward and David Bowie. She's interviewed Edward Grimes (Jedward), Kevin Godley, Trevor Horn, Paul Young, Peter Cox (Go West), Brendan B Brown (Wheatus), Bruce Foxton (The Jam), among many many more. Lisa is also available for freelance writing - please email lisa@essentiallypop.com