Shelter & Sound Release New Single “To The Middle”

Dayton, Ohio’s Shelter & Sound releases its third single, “To The Middle,” via Sweet Cheetah Records today. Listen to it here.

Michael Coates says, “‘This wasn’t meant to be somethin’ more” is exactly what I was trying to do with the lyrics and feel of ‘To the Middle.’ It’s not anthemic, it’s not a single, it’s warm, it’s familiar and it’s a vibe.

“When we were creating the instrumental it reminded me of a time, before digital connections, socials and phones tied us together at every waking hour. When there was a thrill of driving around a night, with your people or person. No money for gas, no idea where the next turn would take you, and that deep seeded feeling of content when you were sitting across from someone where just sharing the same air to breathe was an exchange worth more than any words. In truthfulness this song romanticizes connection and friendship over anything else. It’s a reflection to the friends I love dearly, and the composition is intentionally.

“This is a song to be shared sitting next to your greatest loves, your ride or die, going to some destination together specific or trying to escape any place altogether.”

Shelter & Sound is the post-hardcore project composed of songwriters Michael Coates and Shawn Bell. In the mid-’00s, Coates was deeply embedded in the alternative music scene; songwriter and guitar player for national touring act Auburndale, he also co-founded Substream Magazine and launched Thriving Records (ADA / East West Warner Music Group). But, following the sudden death of his partner and co-founder Marc Young in 2009, Coates walked away from music entirely. Guitars were packed into closets, gear was sold, and the creative fire was tucked deep inside for well over a decade, as he turned to a corporate life.

Coates’ recent “spark” was entirely accidental. Hanging his old guitar on the wall as simple office decor, it led to casual strumming, which quickly triggered an undeniable, decades-in-the-making flood of songwriting and emotion. Partnering with a long-time friend and collaborator Shawn Bell, they met producer and recording Engineer Aaron Carlson. Coates and Bell re-entered the studio to craft a sound defined by maturity, nostalgia, and modern heavy rock production.

Shelter & Sound’s early demos and new production caught the ear of Sweet Cheetah Records, who is currently stepping up to help release the project.