Shane Koyczan & The Short Story Long

Internationally renowned spoken word artist, poet, and and author releases new album & graphic novel, both titled Silence Is A Song I Know All The Words To, September 15th with a national tour to follow.

Recorded with Cayne McKenzie (We Are The City) and Hannah Epperson and mixed by Aidan Knight, Silence Is A Song I Know All The Words To is the latest chapter in the story of internationally acclaimed artist Shane Koyczan. It is available today along with the companion piece graphic novel of the same name. Also out today is the video for album track "Troll", featuring the artwork of Gareth Gaudin who also illustrated the graphic novel. "Troll" is dedicated to all of those who have lost friends or family through online abuse.

"It's sad to think that we live in a world where so many are careless with their words, or still do not realize that the things they say have weight. Hiding behind invented identities doesn't free anyone to behave inhumanly... any more than wearing a mask grants someone the right to impose physical abuse on another. I've received thousands of letters asking me to address this issue, and have been very reluctant to speak up because I didn't want to draw the attention to myself. I then remembered being in school, and the pattern of silence that gave others quiet permission to continue torturing myself and others. We live in a society that asks us to keep quiet... to allow the world to spin unimpeded. Our silence is a commercial for a peace that will never be achieved unless we do speak up... unless we stand in the way of fear and hate showing others that there is a path that leads away from tyranny. We choose who we allow into our lives... we can choose who to evict."

Shane Koyczan, is best known for his award winning spoken word performances. With his rhythmic verse in high gear, he navigates his audience through social and political territory with a furious honesty and a tender humanity that has brought audiences to their feet in New York, London, Edinburgh, Sydney and Los Angeles, to name a few. He received 5 star reviews for his performance at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the video, Instructions for a Bad Day, was showcased as the 2012 Vancouver International Film Festival. Shane has presented at TED Talks, where the audience leapt to their feet in applause. Sir Ken Robinson has listed that talk as one of his top ten talks on education. Winner of the US Slam Poetry Championship and the Canadian Spoken Word Olympics, Koyczan is truly an extraordinary talent that has blown the dust off of the designation "poet".