El Michels Affair feat. The Shacks
Album: The Shacks EP
Release Date: 2016
USA
Fronted by singer/bassist Shannon Wise and guitarist/producer Max Shrager, The Shacks’ cinematic songs are the soundtrack to a mysterious alternate reality. [Read more on Big Crown Records]
Max Shrager talks about Strange Boy
Strange Boy is the track that was responsible for the formation of The Shacks in 2014. El Michels had recorded a new instrumental track, and he called me in to lace it up with some guitar.
Shannon and I had just met at school in Manhattan, and she came with me to hang out at the studio that day.
Leon mentioned that he had written some words to the song that were intended for a female singer, and we all looked around and timidly asked Shannon if she wanted to give it a shot. She nailed it on the first or second take, and her voice just blew everyone away. Within seconds we all knew that a new project had just been born. The whole thing really felt like it was meant to be.
At one point, listening back to the track, Leon and I messed around with the EQ on her recorded vocals, but the sound of Shannon’s voice didn’t change as we adjusted with the dials. Her voice was just so other-worldly, like it existed in its own mysterious universe. I’ve always thought of her as secretly being from another planet.
«The first song recorded by the band, “Strange Boy,” oddly enough ends the EP on a soulful note. “Strange boy I talk you up, I’ll drink the Kool-Aid from your cup.” Supposedly this song, written and composed by Shrager, was waiting for Wise’s vocals to breathe life into the words and notes on paper. After one take and Wise’s first attempt at recording in a studio, The Shacks emerged from the fusion of both musicians genius and are propelling forward after their successful first release.»
Paige Oswald [KUMD] on Strange Boy
The background vocals were provided by The Sha La Das, an amazing family doo-wop band whose records are produced by Tom Brenneck (Charles Bradley, Budos Band). The bgvs are intense and psychedelic, and give the track a unique texture.
Shannon was 16 and I was 17 when we recorded Strange Boy. It’s kind of interesting to go back and compare this track to some of our more recent tunes and hear how her voice and our sound as a band has evolved over the years.
I think I speak for all of us when I say that Strange Boy will always hold a special place in my heart.
Lyrics: Strange Boy
Strange boy make no sense
And when you talk the room gets tense
Strange boy, you drink your fill
You will like me ’cause I’m new
I like you anyway
I like you anyway
You’re gonna be famous one day
You’ll see
You’re so strange boy, yeah
You’re so strange boy, yeah
You’re so strange boy, yeah
You’re so strange
Strange boy, I talk you up
I’ll drink the cool aid from you cup
Strange you made your bed
Now go to sleep and rest your head
I like you anyway
I like you anyway
You’re gonna be famous one day
You’ll see
You’re so strange boy, yeah
You’re so strange boy, yeah
You’re so strange boy, yeah
You’re so strange
Tracklist: The Shacks EP
1. “This Strange Effect”
2. “Left It With The Moon”
3. “Orchids”
4. “Audrey Hepburn”
5. “Tidal Waves”
6. “Rain”
7. “Hands In Your Pockets”
8. “Strange Boy“
9. “Fly Fishing”
10. “Audrey (Spending All My Time With You)”
11. “No Surprise”
Get social w/The Shacks
Credit: Janette Beckman 
From the “Follow Me” music video
