Who is Shadow Monster?
Shadow Monster is the brainchild of frontwoman and guitarist Gillian Visco, who uses this project as an outlet for her raw, emotional expression. Described as an alter ego, Shadow Monster channels Visco’s personal journey through grief, transforming pain into cathartic, grunge-pop melodies. Alongside longtime collaborator John Swanson on drums, the project delves into the depths of human suffering, with lyrics that reflect the weight of existence itself. The music is filled with catchy choruses and heartbreakingly relatable themes, offering a sense of solace to those navigating their own struggles. In live performances, Nikki Sisti (THICK) and Denim Casimir (TVOD) provide booming, fuzzy basslines that add to the immersive, wall-of-sound experience—a perfect soundtrack for an evening spent in the cozy, intimate setting of your local dive bar.
“Goodwill”: A Song Born from Loss
“Goodwill” is a deeply personal track for Shadow Monster’s Gillian Visco, inspired by the passing of her father, John Visco. A vibrant man with a “cheshire cat smile” and a laugh that could fill any room, he was the life of every party. His death in late 2018 left Visco grappling with the impossibility of losing such a large personality. In her own words, “it seemed impossible that a personality that big could just disappear.” The song captures the feelings of grief, disorientation, and dissociation that followed.
Visco explains that “Goodwill” came to life in one sitting, pouring out during the quiet hours of the night. “I don’t believe that you need to be in complete anguish to make art. Yet, when you’re feeling more like a walking open wound than human being, on occasion, artists are gifted with a silver lining of being so vulnerable that you transform into a vessel.” This vulnerability is channeled into the song, tapping into a universal expression of grief and loss that many can relate to.
The track isn’t just a reflection of sorrow, but a testament to the power of vulnerability and creative flow during moments of emotional intensity.
Behind the “Goodwill” Music Video
For the “Goodwill” music video, Visco wanted to take a more abstract approach, avoiding a literal narrative. Drawing from her background as a dance major, she collaborated with a friend, Mel, to create a choreography inspired by the idea that “we are all made of stardust.” The dance represents the interconnectedness of life and death, with different realms of existence blending and overlapping. Visco aimed to depict how Death, in its many forms, is both a menacing and comforting presence that follows us, and sometimes, as we accumulate loved ones on the other side, we may even begin to see it as a form of home.
‘DOG’: The Sound of Starting Over
Shadow Monster’s recently released (April 4, 2025) LP, DOG marks an exciting evolution in the band’s sound. Mixed and mastered by Omer Leibovitz, the album pushes their sadcore, grunge-inspired roots into new territory, incorporating influences from doo-wop, early punk, and emo. DOG examines the aftermath of a relationship gone wrong, where starting over feels inevitable, yet fraught with emotional turbulence.
The album’s tracks explore the tension between delusion and desire, often reflecting on love stories that were never truly real. It’s an album full of yearning and a late-night search for something elusive. While it dives deep into themes of grief and death, DOG still holds on to a flicker of hope, echoing the emotional honesty of its predecessor, Punching Bag. Songs like “Goodwill” offer a raw, vulnerable look at Visco’s experience with loss, but the album as a whole refuses to be consumed by darkness. Instead, it captures the struggle of grappling with solitude and the persistent drive to find meaning in the face of grief.
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