Stephen Chopek released his latest EP, Songs of Shane, Vol. 2 on April 28, 2023. The five tracks are Stephen’s reinterpretations of classics written by Shane MacGowan, featuring music from his work with The Nips and The Pogues.

As a longtime fan of The Pogues, Stephen had been adding their music to his live set throughout the years. The idea of recording the songs came to him after seeing a mural of Shane MacGowan while on tour. The painting became a focal point of the cover art for Chopek's 2019 release Songs of Shane, Vol. 1.

Stephen decided to make Vol. 2 while watching Julien Temple’s 2020 documentary, Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan. When he heard the intro to “Gabrielle” by Shane’s first band The Nips, Stephen felt compelled to record an updated version which led to the new EP, Songs of Shane, Vol. 2.

“Shane’s songs are so good, they make me want to cry”, says Chopek.

Stephen Chopek is a musician living and working in Atlanta, GA. Prior to releasing his first solo album in 2012, he spent over 10 years drumming on tour and in the studio with Charlie Hunter, John Mayer, and Jesse Malin among many others. Stephen plays all the instruments on his solo releases, which he records and mixes at his home studio. Chopek’s music has been compared to iconic songwriters like Matthew Sweet, Ben Kweller, Bobby Bare Jr., Paul Westerberg, Tommy Keene, and Evan Dando. Stephen’s Dweller EP (2021) and recent synth lead power pop singles “No One Just Us” and “Don’t Go Stay Home” (2022) showcase his strongest and most varied songwriting skills with accolades coming from global tastemakers as an artist to watch.

Songs of Shane, Vol. 2 is out now on Declared Goods.