Shura (musician)

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

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)

Featured Singles

• Mura Masa - "Love For That" (2015) (featuring Shura)

Remixes

• Jessie Ware - "Say You Love Me" (2014)
• Pumarosa - "Priestess" (2015)
• Mabel - "My Boy My Town" (2016)
• Tegan and Sara - "Boyfriend" (2016)

References

External links

• Official website