Inside the Shadows: The Shadow Self on “ENRAPTURED,” Inspiration, and their Songwriting Process
- Grace Reynoso
- 9 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Shadow Self (they/them) emerges from Phoenix’s underground with a sound that feels both otherworldly and deeply human. Fusing experimental rock with elements of mysticism and ritual, their music serves as a conduit for emotional release and self-discovery. Each composition blurs the line between performance and ceremony, pulling listeners into an experience where sound becomes transformation and vulnerability becomes strength. With their new single, “ENRAPTURED,” out October 23, The Shadow Self steps into a bold new era, one that explores tension, beauty, and surrender through layered guitars, widescreen synths, and striking symbolism. We sat down with The Shadow Self to talk about the new release, their creative evolution, and what we can expect next.
GR: Hi, The Shadow Self! Welcome to a conversation with The Mic Music Group!
SS: Hey! Thanks so much for having me!
GR: What is your earliest memory relating to music?
SS: I think about the first time I heard bands like Led Zeppelin and The Doors. They were huge for me growing up and finding my inspiration. As a guitar-forward musician, though, Zeppelin always took the cake.
GR: For your upcoming work, “ENRAPTURED,” what did you draw inspiration from to create it? SS: I wish the answer for this one were a fun one, but truly, the inspiration came from witnessing current events and the direct correlation between them and religious dogma. I’ve always viewed it as a poison, and unfortunately, I’m proven more correct every day.
GR: Do you draw any inspiration from Phoenix's underground music scene, and what is the community like?
SS: I do in the sense of the community we’ve created here. It’s grown to be very accepting of new sounds and groups. It wasn’t always that way - but it certainly has diversified, and I've found myself becoming friends with more and more creatives here in the desert.
GR: We love the ambient nature of your songs' soundscapes! When did you start experimenting with Eastern instrumentation?
SS: Thank you! I’ve always been drawn to eastern instrumentation since the first time I heard The Beatles utilizing Sitars and dilruba (Tomorrow Never Knows/Within You Without You). I was gifted a Sitar from my parents a couple of years ago, and I’ve since grown my collection - now possessing other instruments like the Sarode, Esraj, and more. So the answer would be recently! It’s been quite the journey learning these instruments, and I’m fortunate enough to have a guru leading me on this journey.
GR: What is your recording location of choice?
SS: All of the demos are recorded at my house - I’ve been recording the final products with my producer and current live guitarist, Jack Croom, at his house. We keep it in the family, I suppose - though I’d like to take this project to a full-fledged studio at some point and lock us in there to see what we walk away with.
GR: Do you ever experience creative block, and if so, how do you navigate it?
SS: Frequently, actually. Navigating it depends on the source of it. If it comes from burnout, I take a break and tend to the other facets of my life. Like the life I’m building with my creative muse - my wife. I like taking long walks with her or by myself to clear my head. Taking time to evaluate my mental health, meditating, etc. I used to solve these issues with psychedelics, but not as frequently these days.
GR: Do you plan to make music solely in the rock space, or are you open to exploring other genres/genre bending?
SS: I think in many aspects, The Shadow Self will always occupy a rock space in one aspect or another - just based solely on the way I like to write. However, I have been experimenting with electronic and acoustic sounds as of late - and even trying to take the “eastern music” aspect to extremes.
GR: If you had an unlimited budget to make any piece of art, what would you make?
SS: I’d want to create a very abstract short film. Lots of different pieces of music, dancers, etc. Something truly thought-provoking. What that looks like exactly has yet to reveal itself to me.
GR: Do you have one rock artist who inspired you to make music?
SS: I have a couple I could name, but lately I’ve been really diving deep into Nine Inch Nails and all the different sounds and directions Trent Reznor has taken that project. That in and of itself is inspiring enough. When you stop caring about labels and conformity of genres, you walk away with really inspiring art.
GR: If you could alter one thing about the music space (if any), what would it be?
SS: Call me old-school, but I’m tired of musicians having to also be full-time content creators (i.e, TikTok), etc. I shouldn’t have to do a silly dance in front of a camera to have my music heard, but that is a multifaceted issue. I miss the mystique of artistry. I miss that part of rock ‘n roll for sure.
GR: Do you have any hobbies that perhaps inspire your art?
SS: I do enjoy being outdoors a lot. I’m also trying to travel more. I was lucky enough to spend some time in Mexico and Italy a couple of years ago, and it really changed my perspective. It was pretty monumental for a simple Canadian boy such as myself, haha. I’m currently planning a trip to Morocco - so hopefully that comes to fruition sooner rather than later. I could use the inspiration that would come from it.
GR: Do you have a dream venue to perform at?
SS: Most certainly, Red Rock Amphitheater. I think it just makes sense for this project. It’s a beautiful venue. Open air, in touch with the ground around it. I think it would make for a transformative experience.
GR: How would you describe your creative process?
SS: Chaotic. I’ll write, rewrite, rewrite again, record, re-record until I’m happy. I try my best not to chase falsified ideas of “perfection,” but it’s hard to shake sometimes. I have hard drives full of old versions of songs that no one will ever hear because I hated them for probably really silly reasons. I thank my bandmates and producer for putting up with me and all my millions of takes.
GR: Do you have anything in the pipeline for “ENRAPTURED”, such as additional assets or ventures that we should know about or expect?
SS: Once “ENRAPTURED” is out, I’ll have one more track coming out after. But once the song is out, I’ll really be hunkering down and writing the next batch of tracks.
GR: What is one song you wish The Shadow Self wrote?
SS: Oh, there are so so many. I’ll give you the most recent one I’ve heard that made me go “damn it, I wish I came up with that one”. The track is called “Thrown Away” by VAST. It’s one of those songs that if I had heard it earlier, I would have for sure ripped it off hahaha.
GR: Closing out 2025, what do you plan to do? What’s next for The Shadow Self?
SS: I plan on taking time to really write the next batch of songs. I want to get weirder with it. Other than that, I’m just promoting and seeing what opportunities await!
GR: Thank you so much, The Shadow Self, for taking the time to speak with us. Best of luck on all of your future musical ventures!
SS: Thank you for having me! I appreciated the insightful questions.
Stream "ENRAPTURED" below!
Credits:
Nicholas Antonucci: Songwriter, Performer & Multi-instrumentalist
Production: Jack Bryan Croom