Big Bus Dream is the creative vehicle of singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist producer, Mike Shannon. Regular readers of The Static Dive will remember his 2021 album Giant in My Mind. That record introduced a multifaceted and seasoned musician from North Carolina with an eclectic style.

A veteran of numerous bands and musical projects over the years, Mike Shannon launched his solo project Big Bus Dream in 2006. The band name is itself a reference to the musician’s lifelong creative pursuits. The ‘big bus’ in question is the same rock & roll tour bus that aspiring rockers have been dreaming about ever since the first day they strapped on a guitar.

Hello is the brand new album from Big Bus Dream, released worldwide via all major streaming services on February 23, 2024. The twelve-song set is a continuation of a theme which began with Shannon’s 2023 album C’mon Dream. The two releases work together as a concept album of sorts, with songs inspired by the singer’s dreams.

The definition of dream in this case is fluid. Mike is a cerebral songwriter, lyrically painting poetic scenes populated by nonlinear but connected thoughts. For instance, on the opening title track “Hello” he calls out to the abyss with random greetings and the simple question, “Can anybody hear me?”

The dreams in Mike Shannon’s world are not confined to sleep. They haunt his waking hours on songs like “Crisis of the Mind”, and they stretch into the unknown on tracks like “You’re Always on My Mind” and “The Other Side”. They represent the clash of future possibilities and the regret of missed opportunities.

Musically, Hello by Big Bus Dream blends elements of alternative, classic rock, cinematic pop, and a healthy dose of mystery. Taking a cue from similarly genre-bending storytellers like Tom Waits, Mike creates strangely familiar yet somehow exotic instrumental tapestries to accompany his similarly relatable yet nebulous storylines.

Check out the official “Hello” music video below, or listen to the entire album on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear both the title track and “I Thought it Was Magic” on the Deep Dive : Pop & Rock playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Big Bus Dream.