The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu


?>

 

Shane Cooley Releases "Forest"

originally published: 04/07/2022


Moved by the tumultuous times in the world and his personal life, Shane Cooley's new album, Forest, delves into the shadows of his conceptual wilderness. The result is a hauntingly thoughtful blend of minimalist folk and American roots music, tinged with his own modern production.

"I kept a dirty, dirty secret / in my blue jean pocket” is the first line of "Coyote,” the moody single and opening track to singer/songwriter Shane Cooley's new album, Forest. From that line alone, one might glean that this journey is no leisurely stroll through the woods. 

Cabin fever is a sensation that most of us have become familiar with during the 2020s. Forest explores the depths of that sensation. Moved by both the tumultuous times in the world and his personal life, the album delves into the shadows of Cooley’s conceptual wilderness. The result is a hauntingly thoughtful blend of minimalist folk and American roots music. “About a year ago, I went for a walk in the woods, and wandered off-trail,” said Cooley. “I completely lost my bearings, and had to fight my way through heavy brush towards the setting sun, where I knew I would eventually find a road or highway. I think that feeling is at the epicenter of this album; being lost in a dark, dangerous place, with only your instincts to guide you.”  

Cooley self-produced and played all of the instruments on Forest at his river cottage in remote Mollusk, Virginia. Sprinkled throughout the album are nature sounds captured during the recording process. The album was mastered by Fred Kevorkian at Kevorkian Mastering in Brooklyn, NY. Most of the songs were conceived during moonlit walks in the woods, a place where Cooley feels at home. "I would take night strolls to process things,” said Cooley. "Even then, I could empathetically feel the collective confusion that the world was feeling. I think that seeped into these songs.” Throughout the release, he will be raising funds and awareness for The Nature Conservancy, and the benefits of nature on mental health.

Shane Cooley has been writing, recording and performing music for over 20 years. His 2015 release, Kings Highway, was deemed "an absolute triumph” (The Daily Press), earning his reputation as a skilled and prolific songwriter. "He's one hit away from radio stardom,” wrote Billboard critic Jeff Miller. When he is not in Virginia or on the road, Shane frequents the music hub of Austin, TX, where he has shared the stage with Grammy-nominated artists Wood & Wire, along with Shakey Graves, Wild Child, and more. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world in 2020, Cooley leaked his acoustic anthology, 50 Songs to boost the spirits of his fans, along with weekly live stream concerts on his Facebook page (which still occur on Wednesdays - 8:00pm EST).




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky



Cooley's songs have found their way to the airwaves of television shows such as NBC's "The Mysteries of Laura," and IBC's "The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman.” He also composed the music for the Amazon Book Trailer for bestselling author Lori Foster's Tough Love. The CW television show Songwriters Across Texas recently aired a documentary episode about Cooley's life as a singer/songwriter.

The opening track to Forest, "Coyote,” releases as a single on April 8, followed by the full album on April 22 (Earth Day). Cooley's music is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music and more. Pre-order at shanecooley.bandcamp.com

For more on Shane Cooley, follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bandcamp, and YouTube.

Photos by Bordeau Photo




Follow New Jersey Stage on social media
Facebook, Threads, Instagram, Twitter, Bluesky


EVENT PREVIEWS

City

City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour

(NEW YORK, NY) -- City Winery NYC presents Sly and the Vine: A Funkadelic Tasting Experience with Vernon Reid of Living Colour on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Join them for an immersive 8-glass wine tasting perfectly paired with the revolutionary sounds of Sly & The Family Stone—featuring special guest Vernon Reid, legendary guitarist and founder of Living Colour. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind night where rhythm meets the vine.



Shemekia

Shemekia Copeland to Perform Free Concert in Atlantic City

(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- Award-winning vocalist Shemekia Copeland will give a free performance as part of Tony Mart's Mardi Gras on the Boardwalk concert series at the Kennedy Plaza in Atlantic City on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Copeland possesses one of the most instantly recognizable and deeply soulful roots music voices of our time. Showtime is 7:00pm.



State

State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Straight No Chaser – SUMMER: The 90's Part 2 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 7:30pm. Featuring their twist on 90s classics like Lisa Loeb's "Stay (I Missed You)," "Everybody" by Backstreet Boys, "Linger" from The Cranberries, and Santana's "Maria Maria," Straight No Chaser brings audiences of all ages back to a simpler time, one unafraid of bright neons, loud prints, and cool boy bands.
 



A

A Chat with Jasper Smith of Straight No Chaser Which Brings its "Summer: The '90s Part 2" Tour to STNJ on July 16

Straight No Chaser is bringing its Summer: The '90s Part 2 Tour to State Theatre New Jersey on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The nine-member a cappella group originated in 1996 at Indiana University in Bloomington and has gone on to sell three million albums, earn two gold records, and amass over 1 billion streams on Pandora.



Hoboken's

Hoboken's Sinatra Park to Host Concert by Freedy Johnson and Karyn Kuhl and the Gang

(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Local events organizer, Geri Fallo, who retired last year, is inviting you to celebrate with her, as she embraces new and exciting endeavors. Come enjoy a free evening of music in Hoboken's Sinatra Park (525 Sinatra Drive) on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The evening is presented by Mayor Ravi Bhalla, The Hoboken Division of Cultural Affairs, and Geri Fallo. The event is free, and music starts at 6:30pm. Come early for the best seating.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Indigenous

Indigenous

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - SUMMER: The 90's Part 2

Wednesday, July 16, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: music


 

Bria

Bria Skonberg

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

KC

KC and the Sunshine Band

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

The

The Hit Men: The Ultimate Rock Concert

Thursday, July 17, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music