Album Notes

The Modalities were fronted by singer/songwriter Shawn San Nicolas. A native of Guam, Shawn left the island to pursue his passion with music. Ending up in the Napa Valley he struggled to meet fellow musicians who shared his passion and was often seen playing in coffee shops and restaurants for tips.

It was there that he met guitar player Cody Tucker who was just parting from the well established band TRADE. Cody later introduced Shawn to drummer Sco Dunshee and bass player Brandon Breazeale who he had been friends with for many years. Together, they found a common goal. To create a band that would get the residences of northern California off their feet and start dancing. The Modalities were born.

With such a wide range of taste and styles between the four musicians, the Modalities began creating their own style that blended the island vibe feel of Guam to the hip-hop beats of the bay area. Together they got a truly world beat feel with some earthy rock flavor that few could resist getting down to.

In the year 2003 the Modalities recorded their debut album Self Arise. The album was recorded at Prairie Sun Recording Studio in Cotati, CA and features nine original songs. Within the first month of its release they sold over 100 copies from their online website and even more at their live shows. It was played on indie and college radio stations across the US, Canada, and even in Germany.

To Be My Lady was selected by COS Productions to use in author Christine Feehan's Dark Melody commercial. COS later released a special promotional DVD featured three Modalities songs and their Self Arise music video. Many Feehan fans will recognize Moments, Be My Lady, and Self Arise from the DVD.