John Calvin Abney’s Shortwaving EP Explores Faith in the Void
Singer-songwriter John Calvin Abney releases Shortwaving, a meditative EP blending haunting country-rock with themes of resilience.
John Calvin Abney has unveiled Shortwaving, a five-track EP that marks his triumphant return following a vocal injury. Released via Tin Canyon Records, the EP is his first since 2022’s Tourist and reflects a period of introspection and recovery.
Recorded live with a band at Secret Studio in Columbus, Ohio, Shortwaving features contributions from co-producer Lydia Loveless, who provided background vocals and engineered the project. “Having my voice back after surgery and rest, it felt like these tracks came from an ancient part of me that I haven’t spoken to in a long time,” says Abney of the recording process.
The EP meditates on themes of communication and resilience, with Abney likening its songs to transmissions into the void. On the title track, he sings, “Swim the shortwave / Cutting in and out,” encapsulating the unease of seeking connection amidst silence. The music mirrors these themes with ghostly slide guitar and looping minor chords, evoking the solitude and perseverance at the heart of the project.
Despite its haunting tone, Shortwaving finds moments of light, such as the chiming instrumental “Supporting Actor” and the anthemic “Truckee River Blues.” Abney’s introspective songwriting gives the EP a deeply personal quality, making it feel like a prayer whispered into the static.
With Shortwaving now available, John Calvin Abney will tour North America in 2025 and promises more music in the near future.
