Recognized in her hometown as Alive Magazine’s best emerging artist of 2008, St. Louis singer-songwriter Sheila Shahpari is poised to introduce her music to the world. Welcome to What Is Real, 11 songs destined to captivate and innovate. Those looking for something new, those tied to classic roots, those who appreciate musical prowess in all its forms…this one’s for you.
Be careful lest you dismiss Sheila as just another girl with a guitar. For starters, she’s a classically trained musician, having played piano with numerous orchestras and chamber ensembles. In direct opposition to this, she’s entirely self-taught on guitar, a characteristic which would explain her unique, almost pianistic style of playing. Her vocal dexterity and perfect pitch enables her to sing quite intricate melodies. And genre-wise, Sheila effortlessly combines a number of musical styles into a sound of its own.
It’s no surprise that some of Sheila’s favorite artists come from older eras: Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Roberta Flack. In fact, were one hard-pressed to describe her music to the uninitiated, it would be as the marriage of traditional vocalists with innovative, contemporary sounds. Imagine a mix of Peggy Lee and Ani DiFranco vocals atop eclectic instrumentation, with classical bits sprinkled on top.
From a very early age, Sheila felt an involuntary drive to play music. Though she’s long written songs, it wasn’t until just recently that she recognized and embraced a desire to share her music with an audience. Since then, her local profile has risen sharply.
“What I aim to provide is inspiring lyrics with intricate, yet accessible, melodies,” says Sheila. Writing, she strives to find the balance of following—and breaking—the rules, turning off her classically trained inclination and following the song’s natural progression. She’s always been a poet, she explains, “but I have no idea how some of the phrases actually come to fruition. I’m not a religious person, but if I were, I would definitely be inclined to think there is some spiritual process guiding me at times.”
Whether or not Sheila’s songs are a gift from on high is ultimately up to the listener. It’s best to approach her music without prejudice, letting the uniqueness of Sheila’s vocal and musical styles wash over you, pushing the boundaries while it comforts you, welcomes you. This is one new voice to keep your ears on.
