With an adventurous and scenic tour through France, Switzerland and Germany under their belts, shadow work is filled to the brim with creative energy and very grateful. "It was a dream come true. It made me realize how small the world is. You think somebody in the countryside of Belgium is so different than you, but in reality there's so many similarities. Music is the thing that tied us all together, and that's just so cool," says lead vocalist Nava.
"Music is the universal language," agrees bassist Szlanic. "As soon as we did the tour, we knew we had to go back." Despite this life-changing experience and plans for another tour, the group is still deeply content living here in Denver, busy making new music.
"Denver is great. I feel like I've been shown the ropes over the last couple years, and now I know how to have a better time with it," says drummer Zickau, who works at Dazzle.
The album art for new single "Idyll" holds great meaning for Szlanic and the band.
Courtesy of shadow work
Here in Colorado, where psychedelic rock and experimentation are honored, shadow work will always have a loyal fan base ready for new music. Now in the first month of 2025, a fresh single is ready for the public's ears. The upcoming release, "Idyll," holds a very special place in the band's hearts, particularly because of its ties to Szlanic's late father.
"Around the time we started to conceive the song, my dad got really sick and passed away. That's obviously a huge, life-changing situation, and that was a really big inspiration for the emotions behind the song. I think writing the song was cathartic or therapeutic in a way," says Szlanic. This integration of grief adds extra gravity to the group's already heavy emotional sound and is sure to touch those who can relate to Szlanic's experience. Despite the extremely somber topic, like most of shadow work's songs, "Idyll" moves with power and earnest intensity.
"The bass and drums are changing and evolving the song along the way, which is fun because then I get to be a constant and these guys get to be the badass musicians they are," says Nava. "The verse is really trying to gain wisdom while questioning and feeling this turmoil, and by the end it's at least coming to a sense of acceptance."
With the help of his bandmates, Szlanic took painful emotions and fed them into his creative process, building something to remember his loss with, even down to the album art. "That's actually a childhood photo. That's my dad in the driveway of our house on the East Coast. We thought it was fitting," explains Szlanic.
"Idyll" will fold listeners into the song's dreamy and twisted world, replete with the real and turbulent emotions behind it. Plans for a sibling single are already in the works, set to release when the group goes back on tour making its way through the Midwest and up the West Coast this spring. Before shadow work hits the road again, local fans can see the group return to the hi-dive on Thursday, February 20, alongside Forty Feet Tall and Supreme Joy.
"It's our first show back in three months," says Nava, "so I feel rejuvenated. I'm excited for it."
Shadow work, with Forty Feet Tall and Supreme Joy, Thursday, February 20, hi-dive, 7 South Broadway. Tickets are $15.
