excerpted from Little Big Man Booking :

Love, sex, atonement, salvation, being and nothingness: these subjects entwine and separate in the music of singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Jon Crosby. Driven by his intense creative focus, Crosby started his one–man musical venture, VAST, when he was still a teenager. Now regarded as one of the most adventurous and revered bands in rock, VAST developed a devoted cult following on the strength of two impressive major label albums, earning the praise of fans and fellow musicians as one of the world's biggest "underground" bands. Flirting with an amalgam of genres including arena rock, art rock, metal and classical, Jon Crosby’s quest for enlightenment, forgiveness and sanctuary continues on VAST’s first new album in three years, Nude.

Featuring twelve new tracks of atmospheric, darkly textured, relentlessly melodic rock, Nude opens with the edgy, electronic tone of "Turquoise," which turns to brash guitar-rock by the chorus. From the driving rock of "Thrown Away" to the quiet mystique of "Lost" to the serpentine bass-and-organ melodies of "Ecstasy," VAST is in top form, delivering a haunting, progressive record in its own distinct style. "Nude took on a life of its own during a time of soul searching while I was living in New Mexico," Crosby offers. "Being in the desert in the middle of nowhere and not knowing anyone, I was going through a personal crisis. It’s ironic how fans sometimes say that certain songs helped them get through a hard time, but these songs helped me get through a hard time when I was trying to let go of the past and move into the future. Nude is just a very direct album, which is my style, musically and lyrically."

Jon Crosby chats with Mantis about his latest album, his creativity, and the state of mankind:

Nude was just released. One thing many fans say about Vast is the amazing range you show between and within albums.  What was different about the writing and production of this album? On this record I learned how to be even more self contained. I don't feel like I have mastered music (or ever could) but I feel like I have learned how to go full circle and finish a complete thought.

I wrote, recorded, engineered, programmed, performed, mixed, and basically presented everything to some degree myself. I had help on most of it but not all; I basically learned how to do the job of 50 people.

That's the future of music. Musicians will be able to do everything themselves. And release it.

What was the inspiration for the "Free" video? You and the band are shown in a swamp. That was the brainchild of the director David Myers and I thought it was cool so I rolled with it.

I'm going to give you a short name or phrase, and you give me a quick response:

 - Mike Varney (president of Shrapnel Records)?

...Nice guy, gave me confidence when I had little.

 - iTunes Music Store?

...Why pay CD prices for mp3's?

 - Peter Murphy / Bauhaus?

...Interesting band

 - Manned mission to Mars?

...I hope they send my GF instead

 - Jack Black?

...Ass crack.

 - "The Passion Of The Christ"?

...I haven't seen it yet so don't tell me how it ends.

What is your opinion about our current president?

I think too much attention is placed on him. For better or worse he's just a person. People need to spend more time looking in the mirror and less time watching tv.

How is the writing process different with the other cats in the band? Every record I have made is solo. I bring in musicans to play parts sometimes but I write everything.   What would your last meal be? I doubt I would be very hungry. I would request red wine and a pretty girl.

Releasing demo versions of songs before officially finished versions was a bold move!  How do you feel about fans criticizing your musical decisions? I have heard so much good and bad feedback in my life it's all just a blur now.

Many thanks to Betty Cobb, Jeff Langlois and realvast.com for the fabulous photos.