Shaheen Sheik
Encyclopedia
Shaheen Sheik is a South Asian 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. She received her B.A. in Anthrolopolgy from the University of California, Berkeley and then studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Career
In 2000, after graduating from law school, Sheik worked full-time on her musical career. She credits her learning how to become a singer and performer with a weekly residency at San Francisco’s Lush Lounge. Soon after, Sheik moved to Los Angeles and began making the open mic circuit with contemporaries, Catherine Feeney, Alexi Murdoch
and Joe Purdy
.
In 2003, Sheik released her first album, Live from Santosha, in 2003, featuring performances from her live shows at Los Angeles’ Genghis Cohen. Later that same year, Sheik released her first studio EP, “In Your Love.”
Her first full-length album, Rock Candy, was released in May, 2005 and later picked up by Times Music India. During a tour in Mumbai, Sheik was recognized as being "compared to Sheryl Crow and Shawn Colvin" by Express India. In 2008, Sheik released her sophomore 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.
After releasing Revolution, Shaheen 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.
Dance
Sheik is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer and studies 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'). 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."
Acting
Sheik played Anisha Kishore in the film “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World.”
Personal Life
In 2007, Sheik married real estate developer, Harpal Sadhal. She gave birth to their daughter on August 4, 2010.
Compilations
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
based in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. 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
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
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. She received her B.A. in Anthrolopolgy from the University of California, Berkeley and then studied law at the University of Virginia School of Law.
Career
In 2000, after graduating from law school, Sheik worked full-time on her musical career. She credits her learning how to become a singer and performer with a weekly residency at San Francisco’s Lush Lounge. Soon after, Sheik moved to Los Angeles and began making the open mic circuit with contemporaries, Catherine Feeney, Alexi Murdoch
Alexi Murdoch
Alexi Murdoch is a singer-songwriter born in London and raised in Scotland, Greece and France, now living in Berlin.- Background :Murdoch was born in London to a Greek father and Scottish-French mother and raised in Greece, just outside of Athens until he was ten, when his family moved to...
and Joe Purdy
Joe Purdy
Joe Purdy is an American folk singer-songwriter who has recorded and released ten albums in eight years.- The band :Joe Purdy's band members have included: Chris Seefried, Brian Wright, Willy C. Golden, , and .- Career :...
.
In 2003, Sheik released her first album, Live from Santosha, in 2003, featuring performances from her live shows at Los Angeles’ Genghis Cohen. Later that same year, Sheik released her first studio EP, “In Your Love.”
Her first full-length album, Rock Candy, was released in May, 2005 and later picked up by Times Music India. During a tour in Mumbai, Sheik was recognized as being "compared to Sheryl Crow and Shawn Colvin" by Express India. In 2008, Sheik released her sophomore 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.
After releasing Revolution, Shaheen 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.
Dance
Sheik is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer and studies 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'). 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."
Acting
Sheik played Anisha Kishore in the film “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World.”
Personal Life
In 2007, Sheik married real estate developer, Harpal Sadhal. She gave birth to their daughter on August 4, 2010.
Discography
Albums- Live From Santosha (2003)
- In Your Love (EP) (2003)
- Rock Candy (2005)
- Revolution (May 1, 2008)
Compilations
- “Wildflower World (Wild Orchid Mix)” - Chillbar Volume 1 (2008)
- “Here We Go (SoulAvenue Erhu Blues Mix)” - Buddha Bar Volume 12 (2010)
- SoulAvenue featuring Shaheen Sheik “One by One” – Buddha Bar Volume 13 (2011)
External links
- Shaheen Sheik's website
- Shaheen Sheik's myspace
- A Tune of Her Own, Nirali Magazine, September 2004
- Screen India Interview