Shawn Mafia - Singer/Songwriter/Entertainer/Writer
Spawned from the dark recesses of Southern California’s Mojave desert, Shawn Mafia has been successfully brewing his own bombastic and bamboozling brand of lyrical and musical elixir for years. With a unique and definitive sound, self described as “rock noir” and “depression era modern”, he is one of those rare singer-songwriter/entertainers that completes the total-package-trinity of compelling performer, offbeat composer, and literary lyrical madman. With a short career that has already spanned three albums, most notably his recent release, Dust Bowl Anarchy on Sadistic Trendz Media, Mafia has been described by the Desert Post Weekly as having “the persona of a Carney Barker's bastard preacher son out in front of a sideshow tent! Mafia is on a mission to tell stories you might not want to hear, about people you never wanted to meet." Working as an Undertaker to earn extra blood money to fund his musical endeavors, Shawn Mafia could be literally and figuratively described as having one foot in the grave and the other in the show biz spotlight. With his deadly eye intent on becoming one of the most important emerging artists of the 21st century, Mafia will be performing extensively in support of his recent album release, Dust Bowl Anarchy (2009). A collection of tunes that find new expression for the timeless forms of rock, gospel, country, blues, and even pop. Armed with a stripped down, backing ensemble composed of lead guitar, bass, and drums (as well as the occasional guest appearance by blues harp legend John “Juke” Logan) his live performances are a bizarre hybrid of neo-noir theatrics and barn burning foot stompers that captivate and capitulate audiences of all ages. The tall, dark and shadowy figure of Shawn Mafia, with his signature three day stubble and tattered, stingy brimmed fedora, is a throwback to a time when self-styled street tough rebels were all the rage. In a music industry nullified and negated with safe, sculpted and shallow artists propped up in the sole pursuit of turning a quick buck we are left without any real artists of substance, integrity, and true grit. A cavalcade of innumerable bands, songwriters and performers preaching to the same tired choir. Mixing, matching and amalgamating the best of older genres with no real nod to originality. Perhaps the most we can hope for is an original voice. Shawn Mafia has the potential to be that voice.
