Career
Originally from Indiana, he currently resides in Philadelphia. His music classifies with the genres rock and folk music, or folk rock. After high school, Showalter moved from Indiana to Pennsylvania.
Escaping his detrimental relationship, he moved back to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in 2003.
A couple months later, he came home to find his house burned down. Showalter spent his nights in hotels and on park benches with a borrowed guitar while working at an orthodox Jewish day school.
Despite the turmoil, he was able to find inspiration to continue writing music that would later be released. Leave Ruin (2009) Showalter"s first album Leave Ruin was released in 2009 on the Pennsylvania label Louisiana Société Expéditionnaire while touring and collaborating with Lou Rogai (Lewis & Clarke).
Pope Killdragon (2010) Pope Killdragon is a self-released album by Showalter.
The album was produced by audio engineer, Ben Vehorn. While holding onto Strand of Oak"s folky sound, Vehorn added in synthesizers and effects pedals to create an album with a sound that was unexplored territory for Showalter. In between tours, Showalter wrote music for what would become Dark Shores.
He recorded this album with John Vanderslice who produced the songs.
Dark Shores (2012) "Dark Shores" is the 2nd album self-released by Showalter. HEAL (2014) Once Showalter returned from tour, he got to work recording about 30 demos in three weeks.
He wrote and recorded songs in his home studio which lead to his most recent album, HEAL. This was the first album Showalter released on Dead Oceans. On Christmas Day in 2013, Showalter and Sue were driving back to Philadelphia from Indiana when they hit a patch of ice and crashed into two semi trucks.
Showalter suffered a concussion and broke every rib on his right side.
The near-death experience gave Showalter a boldness during mixing sessions while creating HEAL with John Congleton, just days after the crash. Since being released, "HEAL" has received much acclaim being named one of the best albums released in 2014. Showalter has toured extensively in support of the album and opened for Jason Isbell, Iron and Wine, and Ryan Adams.
Strand of Oaks made their television debut in 2014 appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
