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Music, more uniquely than any other art form, provides people with the opportunity to live out their own experiences through the symbols and recollections of another. It allows one to embody another, and see the world perfectly and, more often, imperfectly, through somebody else’s eyes. Shadow 5 reaches out to create music that lets people become someone else for a while. Hailing from the Windy City, Shadow 5 is the moniker of Jason Petros, a multi instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer who creates when he isn’t working a nine to five, or playing bass for other bands, or trying to take on a plethora of other pursuits. On Shadow’s new record, “Your Headphones will Love you For This”, he pushes characters through murderous impulses, heroic vows, and multi faceted relationships with bullying rhythm and the pull of meandering melody.

Jason wishes he had it harder. He is a product of wonderful family, supportive friends, and has a desire to succeed in all he does. Unfortunately, this does not a great songwriter make. “I wish sometimes that life was a bit tougher on me, which is a terrible thing to wish, but true in that out of conflict comes great resolve. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no regrets, but it makes the process a little more difficult – I have to really look deep inside of myself and allow some really ugly things that I would never reveal to bubble up to the surface – my songs are pure creation, in its truest form. See, in creating unique characters, it gives an opportunity for the ugly to be loved, and gives me an outlet from the angst of modern life - the undercurrent of which I drink.”

He learned guitar at the tender age of 18, and developed a love for acoustic music, little did he know it was just the beginning of an obsession that would continue until the present day. After writing quite a few songs, he found that playing solo was not satisfying, and serendipitously a collegiate friend and very talented songwriter commissioned him to play bass on a cover of The Beatles “Come Together” for a show at a local bar – the bass turned out to be a joy to play and and entry into a world he would have never dreamed possible. After a number of other bands, and recording sessions, Jason brought it upon himself to learn the art of recording, and took up the enormous task of recording a solo album. Throughout these consistent reinventions, the only constant was the five o’clock shadow adorning his face, and such was born the name, Shadow 5.

“I strive for the most pristine sound possible; I really try and use the studio as an instrument. Doing a record on your own doesn’t give you the option of trying things out live – but does give you a real palette to experiment with. I take cues from Chris Wallace of Death Cab for Cutie, and Brian Eno, obviously, I also listen to a lot of pop records – they are the most beautifully recorded little things.” Shadow 5 is a thief of guitar tone - pick pocketing the likes of The Edge of U2, and Sigur Ros, as well as David Sitek of TV on the Radio for their talent and innovation. His drums are painfully created, sample by sample, hit by hit, and lay down a punchy beat at some points – and at others a rocking march. “Hip Hop showed me real rhythm. As a teenager, I went through an astonishing amount of money on crappy rap records, but in the end, gave me an internal sense of rhythm that usually starts with a huge kick drum and finishes with an effected hand clap, some of which shows through on “Headphones”.”

“The best part and the worst part of doing something on your own is that you are never limited in your scope; unfortunately, this gives the critic inside of you a grandiose moment to speak up – which can paralyze a song midway through.”

Luckily, the critic hasn’t squashed everything; due in early 2009, “Your Headphones Will Love You For This”, will be downloadable from a to be announced location. Be sure to continually check up on S.Five’s myspace page for free instrumental songs, opportunities to collaborate, merchandise, blog updates and obviously, for the music.