During a period in time where technology has taken over the world, 'Smashing Satellites' is a movement; a movement to bring people back to humanity. We have never been closer yet so far apart from one another. We have become a slave to the machine and a prisoner to all -as if a set of metal bars stands between each and every one of us. There for all to see, a barrier to divide. If I had a picture of humanity today, it would be that of billions of people standing on the edge of the world while giant satellites cast a shadow over all of us. However, if I could paint a picture of my ideal world, it would be that of billions of people standing on the edge of the world, standing on each other's shoulders, tearing down the machines smashing satellites.

I can remember being 4 years old and being fascinated by how colorful my world was. My eldest sister Cathy was a classical and contemporary piano prodigy, and my second eldest sister Monique, embodied 90's grunge. I remember her bedroom being painted such a dark purple it was almost black, it seemed like its own separate world within my parents home. Dimly lit, kind of like a dungeon, it was an adventure sneaking in there. Her record collection provided me with endless hours of listening material. The first records I discovered and fell in love with were Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Smashing Pumpkins, The Eagles, The Doors (and tons of Jim Morrison memorabilia) and a Canadian band Our Lady Peace. Both sisters were so different yet they had one thing in common which mesmerized me music.

During the early years I went through phases where all I would play is piano, then phases where all I would do is paint and draw, then phases where all I would do is play drums, or cook, or play guitar. I started to discover my passion for art and everything it embodied. I started to discover that what made me feel whole was people appreciating and seeing whatever it was I would create. Creation started to become my drug, but I still didn't know it yet. I remember listening to Eddie Van Halen's solo for "Beat It" and thinking about what I would have done instead. I'd meet up for jam sessions with my friends and we'd jam "Beat It" and when it came to the solo I'd play something completely different. Instantly, you could see the disappointment in my friends eyes because I wasn't playing the solo like Eddie did; I never had any interest in playing something other than the way I wanted to. To this day, I can probably name all the covers I know on two hands because I never really cared for being or sounding like anyone else.

Fast forward to the end of 8th grade, I win the annual music award as a cellist for "Best Musician." My music teacher embraced and fostered my enthusiasm to create my own musical parts instead of always playing the sheet music to the songs we were assigned to perform. I was excited for the summer break to be over so I could start High School in a new school, with a new music teacher and do it all over again. Within my first week of school, I auditioned for the class and barely made the cut. My site reading was horrible. I could barely play or understand the sheet music they put in front of me. I just didn't get it. In the end, I think they let me in the class solely for my eagerness just to be there. I barely ended up passing that class and I remember feeling mortified. The one thing I thought I was great at, I completely failed. Distraught, I asked my teacher, "Why did I barely pass?" He answered sternly, "You never play what you're told to. You're one of the best cellist's technically in the class, but you never play what your told. You're always fiddling around with your own ideas, and that's not how you become a real musician." I walked out of that room with him thinking he insulted me, but really he had provided me with an epiphany. He made me realize that what I do is create. My passion was to be the writer and creator. I didn't want to play Beethoven or Bach. I wanted to play 'Smashing Satellites.'

I started to realize that my teacher had it all wrong. I decided I would rather fail or be ridiculed or graded poorly trying to

write my own masterpieces much like Beethoven, instead of play what I was told.

'Smashing Satellites' is my timeline of good times and bad times, sad times and happy, vulnerability and confrontation. 'Smashing Satellites' is my view of the world, the way I wish it was and the way it could be. It is my ideas and thoughts. 'Smashing Satellites' is the novel to my universe, and it will continue writing itself one chapter at a time as life carries on.

Smashing Satellites is truly the living, breathing story of a musician and human being striving to connect people to each other once again in the face of technology. Through his music and his messages Smashing Satellites is more than just a band, it's a movement. Founded by Salvatore Costa who possesses one of the most powerful and unique vocal timbre's in music and is an accomplished musician by industry standards since a very young age, the first melodies came from the pain and anger rooted in his recent past and were born in that darkness. As time healed and his writing continued something much greater and more positive came to life in many different songs connecting all of Salvatore's feelings, experience, passions, observations, philosophies, and lifestyle in his new music.