Big Bus Dream blends roots rock with electrified arrangements. A literate brand of individual style and commentary along the lines of John Lennon and Mark Oliver Everett (of The Eels). Big Bus Dream is about passion, perseverance, it is the distinctiveness of the song, the arrangement and the colors. “These are old-fashioned protest songs at heart with a patina of new-coffeehouse folk (The Gourds) … and they deliver their messages.”– David Cowling, Americana UK
Giant In My Mind, follows two years of much self-reflection. Big Bus dream’s Mike Shannon adds, “If getting older and still making music wasn’t enough to think about, throw in a pandemic and you have plenty of time to think about your life. Add all the crazy politics and divide in this country and you have plenty to write about. Mostly, the record is about jumping, or just crashing through, hurdles over the years – lots of hurdles.” The new release, Giant in My Mind, is available now.
Mike Shannon’s journey has always been about climbing the steps up the Big Bus. This is Big Bus Dream. And Big Bus Dream, like 4th Ward before, has always been about the distinctiveness of the song, the hook, the colors. He repeatedly is told by fans that when they hear his tunes, they immediately know it is him, his sound. This is what original music should be about – an original style and voice: “The sound is original without being trendy”, writes Creative Loafing.
4thward’s 2000 self-titled release debuted #20 on the National CMJ Top 200 charts. Celebrity Cafe awarded the release, “Album of the day!”. The group spent 4 years playing the circuit opening for the likes of Angie Aparo, Hootie and The Blowfish before regrouping as Big Bus Dream.
Big Bus Dream’s 2006 self-titled debut earned Editor’s Pick by CD Baby and 8 of 10 stars by Americana UK, as well as topping the main European music site charts. Several tracks found their way onto MTV’s Pimp My Ride, Breaking Amish, as well as film (MY life as Abraham Lincoln) and TV (WBTV documentaries). The Jesters of Xmas Town (2008) continued the band’s songwriting and recording success.
Big Bus Dream is a unique name. How did you come up with it? What’s the meaning behind it?
Big Bus Dream is about hope and perseverance. I mean, who wants to ride the short bus.
Tell us about your latest album, “Giant In My Mind.” What can fans expect?
The 2021 release, Giant in My Mind, is an intimate musical journey of reflection recorded during the lockdown. Most everyone can find their own experience in these musical stories.
You’ve had success having your music placed on TV shows like “Pimp My Ride” and “Breaking Amish.” How did those come about for you, and what was it like to hear your music on TV?
I worked with Getty Images who handled my musical tracks. I never heard them on TV; I don’t know why. The track in in the Lincoln film I did check out.
What is/was 4th Ward?
This reflected a padded room. This represented the amount of time in the studio…but so much more on so many levels.
What’s next for BBD? Any touring plans now that COVID is easing up?
Plans were coming together but now sidelined due to the variant, It’s been a long year and a half.