Shaheen Sheik
{{Short description|American singer-songwriter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
Shaheen Sheik (born June 17, 1975) is an American, singer, song-writer, producer, dancer and an actor based in Los Angeles, California. Her musical work spans several genres, including rock/pop, electronic and chill-out music. She grew up in Cleveland and Los Angeles, but traces her roots to Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.
Early years
Shaheen Sheik was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Iqbal Sheik, a psychiatrist, and Sharfudheen Sheik, a mechanical engineer. She also has an older brother, Zafar Sheik, a physician in Warren, Ohio. When she was a teenager, Sheik's family moved to Orange County, California.
As a child, Sheik was a studied classical dancer and later in life began studying vocal, guitar and sarod.{{cite web |url=http://www.desiclub.com/desimusic/desimusic_features/music_article.cfm?id=180 |title=Shaheen Sheik is Rock Candy |accessdate=July 22, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930104739/http://www.desiclub.com/desimusic/desimusic_features/music_article.cfm?id=180 |archivedate=September 30, 2011}} She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley and then studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Career
During a tour in Mumbai, Sheik was recognized as being "compared to Sheryl Crow and Shawn Colvin" by Express India.{{cite web |url=http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=183523 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=June 1, 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614172000/http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=183523 |archivedate=June 14, 2006}} In 2008, Sheik released her second album Revolution, a world electronic album and departure from the guitar driven Rock Candy. When discussing Revolution, Sheik has stated that being a trained dancer taught her the connection between rhythm and emotion and that her second album focused on that connection.{{cite web |title=Shaheen Sheik |url=http://www.belowzerobeats.com/archives/archived-exclusives/70-shaheen-sheik |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120721032944/http://www.belowzerobeats.com/archives/archived-exclusives/70-shaheen-sheik |archivedate=July 21, 2012 |accessdate=July 22, 2011}}
After releasing Revolution, Sheik met Swedish producer, SoulAvenue, on MySpace. In 2008, SoulAvenue remixed Wildflower World (Wild Orchid Mix), which was included on Chillbar: Vol. 1. SoulAvenue then remixed Sheik's Revolution track, "Here We Go," which George V Records placed on Buddha Bar XII, mixed by DJ Ravin. On their third collaboration, Sheik and SoulAvenue's co-wrote "One By One", which was included on Buddha Bar XIII, again mixed by DJ Ravin. SoulAvenue and Sheik continue their collaborations to date, with tracks included on Buddha Bar XIV (2012), Buddha Bar XV (2013), Buddha Bar Greatest Hits (2019) and Buddha Bar Summer of Chill (2020).
Dance
Sheik is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer and studied under Malathi Iyengar, artistic director of Rangoli Dance Company. In 2005, 2006, and 2008, Sheik received Lestor Horton Dance Award nominations for her performances in 'Ragamalika Varnam,' 'Kodhai's Dream', and Jatiswaram ('Kodhai's Dream').{{cite web |url=http://rangoli.org/company.htm |title=Rangoli Foundation for Art and Culture |website=rangoli.org |access-date=January 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124135051/http://rangoli.org/company.htm |archive-date=November 24, 2005 |url-status=dead}} The Los Angeles Times described Sheik's portrayal of Krishna in 'Kodhai's Dream' as "commanding" and her duet with fellow company dancer, Lakshmi Iyengar, as "a breathtaking finale."{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-10-et-rangoli10-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107153355/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jul/10/entertainment/et-rangoli10 |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |title=Archives|website=Los Angeles Times |url-status=live |date=July 10, 2006 }}
Personal life
In 2007, Sheik married real estate developer, Harpal Sadhal. She gave birth to their daughter in 2010 and their son in 2012.
Discography
Albums
- Live From Santosha (2003)
- In Your Love (EP) (2003)
- Rock Candy (2005)
- Revolution (May 1, 2008)
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.shaheensheik.com/ Shaheen Sheik's website]
- [http://www.myspace.com/shaheenmusic Shaheen Sheik's myspace]
- [http://niralimagazine.com/2004/09/a-tune-of-her-own/ A Tune of Her Own], Nirali Magazine, September 2004
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060828151119/http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=12675 Screen India Interview]
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Category:American people of Indian Tamil descent
Category:American musicians of Indian descent
Category:American women singer-songwriters
Category:Singers from Los Angeles
Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni
Category:University of Virginia School of Law alumni
Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters