Angela Sheik

Click to visit www.angelasheik.com/press.html and view a complete, up to date list of press and reviews. - (angelasheik.com/press.html)

Angela Sheik is a fearless musical force of nature who has fashioned a ground-breaking style that is impossible for anyone to capture in traditional categorizations with simple phrasing. Her new soul-searching album, Home Before Dark, has the musician creating a signature sound of trip-hop, folk-pop, electronic-infused and multi-faceted rhythmic combinations that she uses masterfully. With comparisons to everyone from Billie Holiday to Imogen Heap, the album nods to many of her favorite downbeat electronic aces such as Bjork, The Chemical Brothers and Portishead, as well as contemporary experimenters Jack White, Grizzly Bear, Sia and Zero7. - BMI

Today’s post features multi-instrumentalist and BOSS National looping champion, Angela Sheik. Angela’s music packs a real punch. Her music is more original than most and she’ll undoubtedly be the most mind-blowing looper you’ll ever witness. But while she spends alot of her time on stage, she spends even more of it behind-the-scenes. She explains it all here… - Grassrootsy.com, November 6, 2012

One of the more impressive acts that I’ve seen so far at the LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival was Angela Sheik. She came with a flute, an autoharp, and some loop pedals. She mixed her tracks live during the performance, and I really can’t think of a better word than “awesome” to describe the performance. At times she would mix in four different pitches to actually harmonize with herself! It wasn’t just two and three parts, either. At times she’d record and loop in five different vocal parts, on top of autoharp loops and then do a flute solo. Her vocal range was so, so impressive as she incorporated multiple octaves and different beaty, poetic lyrical delivery. She even played a version of “Amazing Grace” that sounded more like an upbeat celebration than a down-tempo lament. I was blown away by Angela Sheik, and I’m still recovering. - Tristate Indie, Tristateindie.com, April 27, 2012

Angela Sheik can be described as a Soulful Music Innovator. To start she is a fierce vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who wows audiences with her fast effects pedal footwork and mischievous smile. She builds her own virtual backup band using rhythmic harmonies, beatbox rhythms, a looper pedal, and a collection of unusual instruments (including autoharp, theremin, and flute). This, combined with soulful, gut-felt melodies, blends into an electronic-infused, folk-pop style reminiscent of Imogen Heap. Her upcoming 10 track album "Home Before Dark" is scheduled for release September 16th. I was blessed to get an early copy. Pre-release information on “Home Before Dark” is coming soon via the above link so stay tuned.



The CD takes flight with the single “Bring it On” a methodical intro piece that serves up impassioned vocal feel from Sheik meshed with impressive vocal harmonies, melodic musical touches against a hooky, grand slam chorus. Track 2 “Here Comes Trouble” downshifts a bit with its methodical piano driven intro eventually lending itself into an impressive “Gold Standard” ballad that flows and ebbs its way through to emotional fruition. Track 3 “Tiger in Tow” keeps thing moving in the right direction with its infectious melody, steady flowing rhythm, impressive finale, and heartfelt/thought provoking message from Sheik. The CD makes a great first impression dashing out 3 solid tracks in a row. I would classify this music as Alternative Rock, with a dash of Electronic Pop and even Dub, Chill, Ambient Pop. Also present are unique elements of what I would call Alternative-Psychedelic Soul. All in all the CD touches a wide range of musical styles. Besides the four piece standard you will notice impressive instrumentation with things like impressive strings, flutes, piano, guitar and solo guitar, sporadic keyboard and synth accents, well-placed harmonies, dynamic electronic based drums all built upon a solid moog driven rhythm section to boot. The musicianship and musical touches from Sheik are clearly above the bar. In many ways she’s comparable to a female version of Beck. As for her vocal abilities, it works extremely well within the confines of this catalogue. She’s got a good look, a catchy mystique and knows how to sit deep within the pocket and sing a song with amazing vocal fluidity. Sheik has soul. Her voice goes down smooth and fills the space peacefully and unobtrusively with an infectious jagged edge. She’s got a good vibrato and impressive Mezzo Soprano. Sheik showcases an impressive falsetto and has much to offer insofar as power, control and finesse. As a songwriter: the songwriting consistent and rock solid across the board. The harmonies and melodies are well placed and well crafted. All the Engineering aspects are in check (Recording, Mixing, and Mastering) as the CD possesses solid low end punch and crystal clear high end clarity. The multi-instrumentalist approach from Sheik is rock solid and delivers everything you would expect from a top-tiered musical Production such as this providing much in the way of musical variety and melodic layering. It definitely offers has a lot of musical depth and variety within the sonic space. Sheik’s music reminds me of a combination between trippy and psychedelic Portishead, and Amy Winehouse. Other comparisons include: The Cardigans, Sophie B. Hawkins. Tori Amos, Beck, Fionna Apple, Melanie C, Dido and even Lana Del Rey. I especially like how she harmonizes throughout the CD. All songs are well crafted and consistent across the board. From the striking “Getting Ot of Here Alive” and “When No One” to hypnotic “Over My Dead Body” and mesmerizing title track this CD has something for just about everyone. The CD ends with Track 9 “I Only Have Eyes for You” the perfect finale statement for a CD like this.



I typically dedicate this paragraph to weaknesses. I have nothing to report. NOTE: Tiger In Tow extended edition) will not be on the physical album. It will be offered exclusively during pre-orders.



From start to finish “Home Before Dark” by Angela Sheik delivers the psychedelic mojo and is a fully loaded 10 Track release from start to finish. The music is diverse, grooving, upbeat, soulful and sonically entertaining. The songwriting – all consistent musical experiences, each one possessing a unique personality, flair and signature groove. The writing, playing and singing abilities of Angela Sheik quite literally blew me away. Her amazing approach to songwriting and multi instrumentation is brilliant. As an artists she has no weaknesses. Her artistic presence is simply to die for. Her overall persona and trippy mystique is something millions of people should gravitate towards. - Indie Music Digest

"BOSS Corporation U.S. recently held the U.S. National Finals for the Loop Station World Championship 2, its annual international competition for loop-based musicians. From a field of six talented finalists, loop artist Angela Sheik of Wilmington, Delaware, was crowned U.S. Champion for 2011. With her victory, she will...." - Guitar Player Magazine, November 2011

Let's skip the small talk, Angela Sheik is a fierce one-girl band. Not only does she sing, play flute, autoharp, piano, synth and clap...she's doing it all at the same time. Angela is her own band both live and on her stunning debut CD "Songs from the Red Box". Already a viral video hit, her YouTube performance of "Run for Cover (Don't Be Afraid, It's Just Rain)" during Hurricane Irene landed her a spot as 1 of the 6 world in the Boss Loop Station International Championships in Hollywood, Angela won 1st Place Champion and will represent the USA at the World Finals in Germany. Catch Angela Sheik before she's a household name and experience her live show for yourself. - World Cafe Live, worldcafelive.com, November 20, 2011

6th Annual Hometown Heroes Homey Award Winners

Congrats to Angela Sheik for winning artist of the year, as well as to runners-up Joe Trainor (of The Joe Trainor Trio) and John Faye (of IKE and John & Brittany). - 93.7 WSTW Hometown Heroes, February 12, 2012

"Angela is a true musical architect. Her performance is a three dimensional musical experience, layering talent, soundscapes, emotions, and originality. Simply amazing." - Gable Music Ventures, gablemusicventures.com, November 2011

How cool is this? Angela Sheik has won the 2nd Annual BOSS US Looping Competition using, among other instruments (and great vocals), a theremin!

The competition started with over a hundred video entries posted on YouTube and ended with 6 finalists performing in front of a panel of judges and a live studio audience at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, CA.

You can see Ms. Sheik's excellent performance in the video below at about the 38 minute mark. Before using an Etherwave Plus to control a low pass filter, she manages to work in several loop layers and real-time mixing of vocals, flute, cymbal, and even a little beat boxing.

I'm not going to get all worked up over the fact that she didn't use the theremin as an instrument per se, because I think it played a key part in her overall performance and fit quite nicely. Let's hope this victory inspires her to continue experimenting with the theremin before she goes on to the World Finals at Musikmesse in March 2012!

Congratulations to Angela Sheik! Be sure to check out Angel's website and her new EP, "Songs From The Red Box" (the Red Box, of course, being her Boos Loop Station!) - Theremin World, November 4, 2011

Angela Sheik started out as a classical flautist but got bored mid-career and she started writing songs. She submitted a video to the Tiny Desk Concert Contest and speaks with NPR's Rachel Martin.

(SOUNDBITE OF VIDEO, "THAT OTHER GIRL")

ANGELA SHEIK: (Singing) Oh, tell me why you got to leave me. Why you got to leave me?

RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:

That is Angela Sheik, a musician and songwriter based in Wilmington, Del. And what you're hearing comes from a video she submitted to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Contest earlier this year. She didn't win the final prize, but she is one of several artists whose submissions caught our attention. Angela Sheik joins us now from the studios of WHYY in Philadelphia. Angela, thanks so much for being with us.

SHEIK: My pleasure. Thanks, Rachel.

MARTIN: I want to start by asking you about your video submission because it was pretty clever, Angela. So, this is the NPR Tiny Desk Concert Contest. You were inspired by that idea of the desk, and why don't you walk us through what you put together because it involves a lot of everyday office items and a looping machine.

SHEIK: Well, like every good musician, I procrastinated for this contest...

MARTIN: (Laughter).

SHEIK: ...And kept putting it off, and it kept getting bigger in my mind. So, I finally just said, I need to make this fun or skip it. So I said, what would be fun? It'd be fun to make the desk my instrument. So, I used a pencil sharpener and some pencils tapping on the desk and a little jar full of pennies and oh, I used an envelope to do a trumpet solo.

(SOUNDBITE OF ANGELA SHEIK VIDEO, "THAT OTHER GIRL")

MARTIN: That is amazing. That is absolutely amazing.

SHEIK: Thank you.

MARTIN: You let's just say again for the record, that, ladies and gentlemen, is an envelope; not just any envelope. It's the ones with the little office, you know, windows; the little clear bit in there.

SHEIK: Plastic is essential.

MARTIN: I mean, plastic. You started in a more classical vein, right?

SHEIK: Yeah, I am a flutist by training - flautist, technical term.

MARTIN: Playing an instrument is different than singing and then writing your own stuff. How did you venture into those worlds?

SHEIK: Well, I was a music major - music ed. major - so I was being certified in everything from trumpet to violin in order to teach in public and private schools. And I found that I was constantly yelling at my kids for not practicing, and I couldn't remember the last time that I had actually practiced my instrument for 20 minutes a day or whatever the minimum requirement was. So I said, what am I passionate about, musically?

MARTIN: And what was your answer?

SHEIK: Either...

MARTIN: The envelope?

SHEIK: ...Writing my own material.

MARTIN: (Laughter).

SHEIK: Yeah. (Laughter) Yeah, really. Well, it started on the piano - I started writing on the piano and then, kind of, found that every song that came out eventually shared the same emotional space from the piano. So I went to a different instrument to try to find a different emotion and really fell in love with that.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "TIGER IN TOW")

SHEIK: (Singing) Better go with the tiger in tow. Better go with the dagger in your stocking. Better go where the mighty blow, ready just in case the monsters show.

MARTIN: A number of your songs have this real throwback quality to them. It feels of another time. How did you discover that sound?

SHEIK: Coming from a classical training, I had classical voice training, as well, and every time I sang I just - I had too many voices in my head saying, vowels, support. And, I don't know, my soul wasn't coming out. At that time, I had just started playing with another musician. We played retirement homes during the day and started digging through old songs, just looking for stuff that they would enjoy, and I just - I fell in love with the singers, I fell in love with the songs, some of the standards. And those vocalists - Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday - I mean, they just taught me how to - they retaught me how to sing.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "TIGER IN TOW")

SHEIK: (Singing) Is it possible to lay our weapons down? Is it possible to show weak places saying here's my heart, you can burn it if you want to.

MARTIN: I happen to know that you brought your flute with you to this interview.

SHEIK: I did. It's right in front of me.

MARTIN: (Laughter) And you do something called flute boxing. I've been told you might be willing to give us an example.

SHEIK: (Flute boxing).

MARTIN: What? That was awesome.

SHEIK: That's the basic idea. (Laughter) Oh, thank you.

MARTIN: That was amazing. I - seriously that completely exceeded my expectations for what flute boxing was going to sound like, so...

SHEIK: I've been practicing. Thank.

(LAUGHTER)

MARTIN: You're good the practicing now. Angela Sheik - her most recent album is called "Home Before Dark." She joined us from the studios of WHYY in Philadelphia. Angela, that was so fun. Thank you so much.

SHEIK: Rachel, thank you.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "BRING IT ON")

SHEIK: (Singing) Got a mother in high country, got a father in his grave. Got my troubles tied around me as I drown beneath this wave. Lord, I know that you're beside me but this burden's threatening to take me down. Oh, I need to hear you whisper, this ain't nothing for me, son. Bring it on. - National Public Radio - Weekend Edition with Rachel Martin