SMASHING SATELLITES guitarist Sal Costa who was earlier a part of fellow Canadian rockers MY DARKEST DAYS has just now announced that he will be retiring from the music industry and shall devote time to his personal life and family.
Costa penned down the note below and recollected many of his cherished memories while on road, and being a top notch, world famous musician. He also stated his reasons for retiring. Over the past year he said he “took off from music I spent time living “normal” life.” One of the main reasons he can be seen stating is as follows, “I have no regrets, just perspective. I have learned that 100000 more Platinum plaques won’t replace 30 minutes playing tag with my daughter, 100000 Juno Awards won’t replace a date night with my wife and 100000 #1 songs won’t replace a BBQ (a vegan one of course 
) with a few good friends. That is the truth.” He also says that his year off music has made him aware “where true happiness lies” and that it’s somewhere far from life on road. He voiced his concern over the irksome nature of the industry where the industry “doesn’t care if you live or die” and that “It’s all fake. None of it is real.“
As far as music is concerned, Sal told fans that he will be putting out an entire brand new SMASHING SATELLITES EP that hasn’t been released yet and that it will be a “goodbye gift” to his fans. The release date and the details regarding it, are yet to be announced. However, the front man also told fans that he shall continue to make music but right now he is not considering doing the same and that as of now, “it’s not in my mind at all in the slightest.” But hey worry not, we have good news, that the EP is at least there as a last gift.
“To My Dear Fans – I am retiring.
It’s true. After a lifetime of work, after a lifetime of accomplishments I am retiring.
There was a time where I went to bed dreaming about being in a successful band and how it would be the epitome of joy and happiness. I dreamed about having a #1 song, having a record deal, touring the world, having Platinum and Gold plaques on my wall and being nominated for a Juno Award. Well, my dream came true. It all came true in a big way. I was in a major signed band with a #1 Billboard USA Hit, reached Platinum sales and got that Platinum plaque, toured the world in the biggest venues you could name with the biggest bands, was nominated for a Juno and more. I even played and guest featured on records with my idols growing up. As a matter of fact, even recently was approached by a few of my idols to work on musical projects and be in bands with them. All of which I turned down or didn’t pursue. But how amazing? It truly feels like I won the lottery time and time again. But as we know – the lottery never brings us happiness as that always comes from within.
Over the past year I took off from music I spent time living “normal” life. Aside from running into fans here and there, I just sunk into life being a husband, father, family member and friend. These were all things growing up I never dreamed of. These were all the things I saw my parents do and by no means did it seem fulfilling or “special”. How could something that everyone in the world do be so special? Well, let me tell you – was I ever so wrong. This past year I took off from touring was the most eye opening experience ever because I truly discovered that what I was really missing in my life is what everyone in the world takes for granted – family, community and friends. I began to get a glimpse at where true happiness lies and it was SO far away from being on the road, living on a bus, not knowing ANYONE, not having any real connection with your loved ones and hustling to make money for an industry that really doesn’t care if you live or die, until you die and then they will all blog about you as if you were special. It’s all fake. None of it is real. I got into this because what I was doing was pure and real and was full of passion. But most of us who gain popularity in this business soon realize that our passion for music and art becomes 1% of the job and the rest is just cut throat business. It’s brutal even when it’s GREAT. At the top of success it still sucks because no one actually cares about why the artist is there in the first place.
I am BLESSED beyond belief that I had the opportunity to really discover what matters in life. Many of us just keep plugging along for ego or the worry of what other people might think which are really terrible reasons to keep doing something. You could spend a lifetime doing that and get to the point where you are old and grey thinking “I wish I spent more time with my family and friends”.
I have no regrets, just perspective. I have learned that 100000 more Platinum plaques won’t replace 30 minutes playing tag with my daughter, 100000 Juno Awards won’t replace a date night with my wife and 100000 #1 songs won’t replace a BBQ (a vegan one of course
For all of you that think I have it all – you are right, but none of it has to do with any fame, money or accolades.
For all those asking what I will do next: Well first off – there is an entire Smashing Satellites EP that is amazing that has not been released that I will be putting out as a goodbye gift to my fans. I will make a post when I have a release date for it. It is a very special body of work that I really want to share.
I will also continue to make music when I want to and how I want to. Right now though, it’s not in my mind at all in the slightest. However, one thing that I truly discovered I love is teaching people. I never thought it could be so gratifying, however, seeing people grow is an amazing thing. I have a ton of knowledge that needs to be shared and I will continue to share it. I will continue to play and grow as an artist however my delivery of my art might be more obscure and passion filled and less corporate crap. Just good old honesty for a change and doing what feels right when it feels right. I also have mega passions for painting, health and wellness, animals and martial arts which you all know, and honestly that has really been driving me before a successful music career and even now.
I want to take one last sentence to thank all my fans so much for getting me here, taking me to some amazing places and helping me fulfill something I dreamed up in my head. I will always be indebted to you for all your kindness and loyalty. Now it’s time for me to embark on another journey with my family as my bandmates and the universe as my stage.
When the EP has an official release date I will make a post so you are all the first to hear it.
Much love, peace and happiness,
– Sal Costa”
Sal Costa was the primary driving force behind the wheels of Toronto alternate rock band, SMASHING SATELLITES, who he formed after he quit his former band, MY DARKEST DAYS. After selling out arenas and stadiums, delivering plenty of hit records, Sal Costa thought to quit the outfit and instead front his own rock band. 2014 saw him quitting and thus forming SMASHING SATELLITES the same year. SMASHING SATELLITES pretty much just released a single full length record in their short life time ‘SonicAluzion‘ in 2015. Last year they released the single “Gamblin’ Man” to widespread positive feedback. The single debuted number 38 to the Billboard’s top 100 “Hard Rock” tracks for January 2016. A lot of people thought the band was going to be even more large and it got plenty of air play on SiriusXM radio. But, as the saying goes, “All good things come to an end!”
Thank you Sal and SMASHING SATELLITES for the amazing music!
