Spotlight on Shane Archer Reed

Shane Archer Reed

Singer/Songwriter/Musician/Actor/Teacher
Shane Archer Reed

Hailing from Oneida, New York, Shane Archer Reed is a musician whose heart is as big as his dreams. With the recent release of his debut album, I Defy You, Stars, Reed aims to use his voice to make the world a better place. I recently spoke with the Fredonia graduate about his influences, the local music scene, and his future as an artist. During this conversation, I was reminded of why I first became a fan of his work. Not only is he a talented instrumentalist, lyricist, and singer, but his compassion for others is something that is deeply needed in our world.
Drawing inspiration from a wide variety of performers, including David Cook, Andrew McMahon, Foo Fighters, and even Josh Groban, Reed's sound could be best described as a fresh take on alternative rock. Released in 2016, the songs on I Defy You, Stars tell stories from different periods in Reed's life. "This whole record tried to encompass some of the pivotal moments from the first 23 years of my life," Reed said. Both "Runaway" and "Rain" (my personal favorite) were written before a bad break up, while songs like "Life Starts Now" and "Catch My Breath" opened and closed the chapters of Reed's college career.

Through live shows, Reed does his best to entertain and inspire his audiences. Often performing a mixture of original songs and unique covers, Reed's band likes to keep things loose. When asked about performing on stage, he described the experience as an opportunity to make a positive impact with some of his best friends. "It's nothing scripted," he says. "It's not meant to be an act. We use the stage as a platform to be completely and utterly ourselves." Reed also hopes that fans can emulate that behavior, encouraging them to be authentic and true to themselves. Reed recently participated in the Being Me movement, that was started by longtime friend, teacher, and mentor, Victoria Buda. "She's always been an incredible source of inspiration, and positive influence," he said of Buda. "The goal of this movement is to empower all people to be themselves and to not feel like they have to apologize for who they are."
Shane Archer Reed
I Defy You, Stars by Shane Archer Reed
The fact that Reed is able to do what he loves, while making an impact on audiences, is enough to keep him going. "I won't be giving up any time soon," he said confidently. Watching Reed grow as a performer has been an absolute privilege, and his friendship throughout the past four years has consistently inspired me. As one of the most encouraging musicians I have ever known, Reed constantly offers support and guidance to aspiring songwriters. Whether he's defying the stars, the sun, or the moon, one thing is clear: the future is bright for Shane Archer Reed. 

I Defy You, Stars is now available on Bandcamp, iTunes, and Spotify. You can also visit Reed's official Facebook page for updates and information!
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