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Shura (English singer)

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Shura
Birth nameAleksandra Lilah Denton
Born (1991-06-17) 17 June 1991 (age 33)
Manchester, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • synthesizer
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websiteweareshura.com

Alexandra Lilah Denton (also known as Aleksandra Lilah Yakunina-Denton)[1][2][3] better known by her stage name Shura, is an English singer, songwriter and producer.

Life and career

Shura grew up in Manchester. Her mother is a Russian actress and her father is an English documentary filmmaker.[4] She has two brothers, one of whom is her twin, Nicholas Denton, who has starred in three of his sister's music videos: "Touch", "White Light" and "What's It Gonna Be?".[5] She began playing the guitar when she was 13 years old and started recording music at 16.[6][7] Shura had been a promising footballer in her youth and played for Manchester City from under 11 to under 16 level.[8] While reading English Literature at University College London,[9] she formed a band with guitarist Patrick Duncombe and collaborated with producer Hiatus (Cyrus Shahrad). Shura took a gap year after her university studies and developed her songwriting skills while working in the Amazon rainforest.[10]

Following her work with Hiatus, Shura decided to assume creative control over the production of her music. During night shifts at her workplace (a video editing facility), she watched YouTube tutorial videos on how to use music production software.[10][11] Her single "Touch", co-produced with Joel Pott of Athlete, drew positive notice from internet blogs during early 2014; its music video was co-directed and edited by Shura herself.[4][10][12] Two other singles, "Just Once" and "Indecision", followed the same year, and Shura produced a remix of Jessie Ware's single "Say You Love Me".[13][14][15][16] Shura was longlisted in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll.[17] Shura is also signed to Universal Music Publishing Group in the United Kingdom.[18] She released the single "2Shy" in March 2015, followed by "White Light" and a performance film titled Three Years in June 2015.[19][20][21] An EP titled White Light was released in the United States in July.[22] The same year, Shura performed at music festivals including Bestival, Festival N°6, and Latitude.[21]

In December 2014 she was named as one of the nominated acts on the longlist for the BBC music poll Sound of 2015.[23] Mumford & Sons have covered her song "2Shy".[24]

Shura's "Touch" was released on 18 February 2016 alongside a version featuring Talib Kweli.[25] The Original Mix was released on Record Store Day 2016 as a limited 12" single featuring remixes from Canvas and Delorean.[26]

Her debut album Nothing's Real was released on 8 July 2016 via Polydor Records.[27]

Artistry

Shura's musical influences include Blood Orange, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, J Dilla, Drake, Peter Gabriel, Haim, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Elton John, Madonna, Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, Pixies, Portishead, Prince, Diana Ross, Patrice Rushen and Tina Turner.[4][5][10][11][28]

Discography

Albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[29] 		BEL
(FL)
[30] 		BEL
(WA)
[31] 		IRL
[32] 		SCO
[33] 		SWI
[34] 		US Heat
[35]
Nothing's Real
  • Released: 8 July 2016
  • Label: Polydor
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 13 73 130 73 15 35 12

Singles

  • "Touch" (2014)
  • "Just Once" (2014)
  • "Indecision" (2014)
  • "2Shy" (2015)
  • "White Light" (2015)
  • "Touch" (2016)
  • "What's It Gonna Be?" (2016)
  • "Nothing's Real" (2016)
  • Mura Masa - "Love For That" (2015) (featuring Shura)

Remixes

References

  1. ^ The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers, record for 'Touch', Work ID 886607565
  2. ^ "Aleksandra Lilah Yakunina-Denton – Creature Blog".
  3. ^ "YOUNG WRITERS ANTHOLOGY LAUNCH PARTY/OPEN MIC NIGHT – Heyevent.com".
  4. ^ a b c Cragg, Michael (11 November 2014). "Meet Shura, Electro-Pop's Downy New Poster Girl". The Fader. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b Hambro, Maya (25 November 2014). "Shura: "I'm more of a monogamous songwriter"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  6. ^ Madden, Josh (19 February 2014). "shura "touch"". Nylon Guys. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  7. ^ Wood, Betty (17 June 2011). "Introducing: Shura". Creaturemag. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Shura: 'Football has affected my character and my work ethics which definitely affects my music'". WomensSoccerUnited. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  9. ^ "Shura: Uni does get better, take it from me - The University Paper".
  10. ^ a b c d "Get To Know: Shura". Hunger TV. 16 March 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  11. ^ a b Vincent, Alice (5 November 2014). "Shura - New Music". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  12. ^ Hillyard, Kim (9 September 2014). "Next Wave #597: Shura". Clash. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  13. ^ Lester, Paul (18 August 2014). "The playlist – new bands: Jagaara, Movement and Shura". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  14. ^ Dombal, Ryan (22 July 2014). "Shura: "Just Once"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  15. ^ Geslani, Michelle (14 October 2014). "Shura shares gorgeous synthpop song "Indecision" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  16. ^ Breihan, Tom (22 August 2014). "Jessie Ware – "Say You Love Me (Shura Remix)"". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  17. ^ "2015, BBC Music Sound Of - Shura - BBC Music".
  18. ^ http://www.umusicpub.co.uk/en-GB/Artists/S/Shura.aspx
  19. ^ Hunt, El (9 March 2015). "Shura - 2Shy". DIY. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  20. ^ White, Caitlin (3 June 2015). "Shura – "White Light"". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  21. ^ a b Milton, Jamie (10 June 2015). "Shura shares 'Three Years' short film". DIY. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  22. ^ Thomas, Russell (7 July 2015). "Shura announces White Light EP". The 405. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  23. ^ "BBC Music Sound Of 2015 longlist revealed". BBC News. 1 December 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  24. ^ Davies, Hannah J. (2 June 2015). "SOAK: the indie-folk prodigy fighting for gay rights in Northern Ireland".
  25. ^ "Shura new album | Talib Kweli Touch remixes | Nothing's Real". Never Enough Notes. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  26. ^ "Shura". recordstoreday.co.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  27. ^ Hunt, El (9 December 2014). "It's a Shura thing: "My boobs, licensed to Polydor"". DIY. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  28. ^ Thompson, James F. (September 2014). "Interview: Shura". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  29. ^ "UK Charts > Shura". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  30. ^ "Shura albums (Flanders)". Ultratop. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  31. ^ "Shura albums (Walloon))". Ultratop. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  32. ^ Steffen Hung. "Discography Shura". irishcharts.com. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  33. ^ Peaks in Scotland:
  34. ^ "SHURA IN DER SCHWEIZER HITPARADE". Hit Parade. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  35. ^ "Shura - Billboard Heatseekers".
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