Stav Mcallister
"I tend to focus on what brings people together, as opposed to what tears people apart. And I think that starts with allowing myself to be vulnerable in my songs."

Burgeoning West Coast song-smith Stav is explaining the personal and creative philosophy that has driven the journey towards his debut EP Borders. He's just 21, but has actually been performing in front of an audience for nearly a decade.

Compelled since then by encouraging audiences plus musical influences from Abba to Queen, Norah Jones to Paolo Nutini - his lyrics and melodies happen to be uncommonly mature, even particularly impressive, considering his age. His musical journey continues this fall at Boston's Berklee College of Music.

Like all the best songwriters, he is in fact a storyteller. And like the best storytellers, it all comes from a place of earnestness and authenticity. Much as the poignant messaging in songs like "Brother"; and "Borders"; come comfortably to the fore, his strikingly affective lyrics conveyed in a distinctly mellifluent fashion.