Shane Cooley is not cool; he's the first to admit it. In fact, he's proud of it. In an industry that thrives on electronic grooves and auto-tune, there's reason for one to question the motives of the thin-framed folk rocker. The truth is, there really aren't any motives. Shane is only interested in

Shane Cooley is not cool; he's the first to admit it. In fact, he's proud of it. In an industry that thrives on electronic grooves and auto-tune, there's reason for one to question the motives of the thin-framed folk rocker. The truth is, there really aren't any motives. Shane is only interested in doing what feels right to him. The 24-year-old has devoted over a decade to making music that is smart, emotional, and, most importantly, relatable. "The most pivotal points of our lives usually have a soundtrack," he says, "There's always a song that just fits the way you feel at that exact moment. I like writing songs like that."

The singer/songwriter formed rock bands here and there in high school and college, touring the East Coast. After earning a BA in English at The College of William and Mary, Shane went full-steam as a solo artist, touring the United States; both coasts, several times. He has also performed showcases at SXSW, preceded festival headliners such as Bruce Hornsby and Lucinda Williams, and performed on stage with Mercury Records' Parachute. He recently received recognition for his efforts by winning second place for "Best Male Artist" in the 2010 International Acoustic Music Awards. His friends and colleagues know him as one of the most diligent workers in independent music. In other words, he's hungry.

Shane's new album, West Land, displays this dedication, reflecting upon his life on the American road. Partnering with producer Stewart Myers (Jason Mraz, Lifehouse), Shane envisioned a record that gives a generous nod to the folk and rock n roll of the 1970s, playing most of the instruments himself. The result, unsurprisingly, is an album that Shane calls, "the first record that truly sounds like me." He has also recorded many other full-length albums, EPs, and demos that have received worldwide radio airplay on stations such as XM/Sirius and Radio Gets Wild Worldwide.

Shane sees West Land as a building block for things to come. "I needed to make that record to show where I've come from," he says, "Now, I have a clean canvas, so I can figure out where I'm going. I get bored easily, so I'm more than willing to expand my horizons." What it boils down to is that he's out there, undeterred, ready to see what happens next. "Besides," he adds with a sardonic grin, "Who's gonna stop me?"