Born in Boston but now based in Nashville, John Shakespear will release an album dedicated to his shared identities on May 10th called Spend Your Youth. The indie folk record covers John's coming-of-age story as the son of an Argentinian father and a Boston-born mother, a Catholic boy doubting his religion in Sunday school, and an aspiring artist in the buttoned-up Ivy League. Devon Dawson produced the album, and Greg Giorgio mixed; the latter has worked with notable artists like Kurt Vile, The National, and Sharon Van Etten. You can hear the latest single "Light On", a six-minute folk opus rife with strings and John's masterful guitar work and lyrics, below. - Will Sisskind

Bpston songwriter John Shakespear cut his teeth playing in a number of Boston-based bands. His debut EP No Wires, released in March 2016, features a lighthearted and warm approach to songwriting, and blends together sounds from indie folk, soul, and rock and roll. The track “Settle In” off his debut EP is a slow, quiet piano ballad, while the opening track “Craigslist” is a breezy acoustic song that tackles Shakespear’s young life as he sings about MTV, lunchables, and being raised in the suburbs. His intimate songs seek purpose in life, and examine the different ways we pursue it - companionship, work, and foreign places. Shakespear will be playing at The Plough and the Stars on June 9th. Check out his track “Craigslist” below.