“That shadow which all things cast when the sunshine of knowledge falls upon them—that shadow too am I.” – Friedrich Nietzsche, from “The Wanderer and His Shadow”
Post-folk songwriter Sheri Streeter laid claim to their place in the Louisville alt music scene with evocative narratives, forthright lyrics, and revealing vocals. Whether bared solo or performed with lush accompaniments, Streeter’s nuanced writing is carried by a voice you could break, underscored by a quiet intensity that is still tender to the touch. The Michigan born singer/guitarist cut their teeth writing and performing in the Kalamazoo DIY scene in the early 2000s adjacent to punk, indie, experimental, and post-hardcore bands. After a couple moves and a hiatus, Streeter hit a prolific streak, performing locally and around the U.S. while releasing several lo-fi singles, EPs, demos, and collaborations.
On their debut full-length That Shadow Too Am I, Streeter explores a darkness long eschewed in hopes of exposing and extracting one’s fatal flaw under a spotlight. Emotionally visceral, these ten tracks examine the desire for connection and vulnerability while confronting the fear of truly knowing oneself. The resulting insight into recurring themes casts compassion upon missteps, reframing open wounds with acceptance.
For this new release, Streeter reinterprets old songs among previously unreleased tracks, presenting the music as more refined, delicate, and uncompromising while their DIY approach remains a valued artistic statement necessary to protect the work’s authenticity. The playfully dark chamber pop song “Broken Doll” details an irreparable relationship based on an immature desire for affection without reciprocity. The standout track “The Forest”—the emotional pinnacle of the album—calls out to a forlorn lover like a siren song to move forward by staying still. Fan favorites like the sweetly green-eyed “Seen and Not Heard,” the haunting grief of “Love in the Time of Hate,” and the blatant and turbulent “Inside Her” receive fresh treatment from the band while giving a nod to previous arrangements.
On That Shadow Too Am I, Streeter worked with engineer/producer Dave Chale at DeadBird Studios with a backing band featuring ambient/lead guitarist Mark Hamilton and jazz-trained drummer Zack Kennedy paying homage to Streeter’s love for live, independent music without sacrificing professional quality. The album is rounded out by guest appearances from ex-opera singer/cellist Kate Wakefield, bass and vocals from Jake Hellman, and Dave Chale on organ and bass.
Resisting masculine/feminine dichotomies while balancing musical dialectics, That Shadow Too Am I is at once unhurried yet busy, sweet and commanding, brooding but empowered. Streeter reconciles these “opposites” not as a contradiction, but as two sides of the same coin guiding where to draw the line and where it needs flexibility to breathe. Rejecting a performative life with songs borne fighting through obstacles amplified when you cannot face your truth, Streeter inspires others to push through and find themselves again, too.
That Shadow Too Am I is out now.
Sheri Streeter 
You must be logged in to post a comment.