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Shura (English singer)

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Shura
Birth nameAlexandra Lilah Denton
Also known asAleksandra Lilah Yakunina-Denton
Born (1988-06-17) 17 June 1988 (age 36)
Hammersmith, London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • synthesiser
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websiteweareshura.com

Alexandra Lilah Denton (also known as Aleksandra Lilah Yakunina-Denton, born 17 June 1988),[5][6][7] known professionally as Shura, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. She is known for her work in the genres of electropop and synth-pop.

Career

[edit]

2011–2016: Nothing's Real

[edit]

During night shifts at her workplace (a video editing facility), she watched YouTube tutorial videos on how to use music production software.[8][9] 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.[1][8][10] 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".[11][12][13][14] Shura was longlisted in the BBC Sound of 2015 poll.[15] Shura is also signed to Universal Music Publishing Group in the United Kingdom.[16] She released the single "2Shy" in March 2015, followed by "White Light" and a performance film titled Three Years in June 2015.[17][18][19] An EP titled White Light was released in the United States in July.[20] The same year, Shura performed at music festivals including Bestival, Festival N°6, and Latitude.[19]

In December 2014 she was named as one of the nominated acts on the longlist for the BBC music poll Sound of 2015.[21] Mumford & Sons have covered her song "2Shy".[22]

Shura's "Touch" was released on 18 February 2016 alongside a version featuring Talib Kweli.[23] The Original Mix was released on Record Store Day 2016 as a limited 12" single featuring remixes from Canvas and Delorean.[24]

Her debut album Nothing's Real was released on 8 July 2016 via Polydor Records.[25]

2017–present: forevher

[edit]

In 2018, she was reported working in the studio on new music with frequent collaborator Joel Pott, as well as Tourist and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.

In 2019, she made a comeback after three years of silence, when she collaborated with British musician Tourist on the song "Love Theme", which was released on Valentine's Day through his second album Everyday. Tourist explained that the song was a concept originally written by Shura and had a piano demo that was sent to him by her with the lyrics "I don't want to be the centre of attention, but I want your love". The following month, Shura announced her comeback single, entitled "BKLYNLDN", alternatively titled "Brooklyn London". It was premiered by Phil Taggart on BBC Radio 1 on 10 March 2019 where it was revealed as the "Chillest Record".

Shura's album Forevher was released on 16 August 2019 via Secretly Canadian. Shura announced the album on 12 June 2019 with the release of single "Religion (U Can Lay Your Hands on Me)".[26]

In a November 2019 interview with The Guardian, former Spice Girls member Melanie C revealed that she has been working on her eighth studio album with Shura.[27]

On 16 March 2020, Shura released the single "elevator girl" featuring the Philadelphia rapper Ivy Sole.[28] She released an alternate version titled "elevator girl (Space Tape Edit)" on 22 May 2020.[29] On 19 July 2023, Shura was featured on the single "Call Me A Lioness", released in celebration of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The single also featured Olivia Dean, Melanie C, Marika Hackman among others.[30]

Personal life

[edit]

Shura was born in Hammersmith, London, and grew up in Manchester.[31] Her mother is Russian actress Valentina Yakunina[32] and her father is English documentary filmmaker Richard Denton.[1][33] Her parents divorced when she was three.[34] Shura has two brothers, including a twin, Nicholas, who has starred in three of her music videos: "Touch", "White Light" and "What's It Gonna Be?".[35][36] She began playing the guitar when she was 13 years old and started recording music at 16.[37][38] Shura had been a promising footballer in her youth and played for Manchester City from under 11 to under 16 level, despite being a Manchester United fan.[39]

Shura is an out lesbian and an atheist, despite a long-standing fascination with religion.[40][41][42] In summer 2014 she experienced a severe panic attack, which she described as "feel[ing] like I [was] dying."[34] Her stage name comes from a short form of her first name in Russian, a language Shura is fluent in.[34]

Artistry

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Shura's music has been described as "infectious but melancholy electropop"[41] as well as "slow-burning synth-pop" but has said that pop music "didn't represent" her.[36] The singer has said that "missed opportunity, regret, nostalgia" are some of the main themes in her work.[36]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Work Category Result Ref.
2016 Popjustice £20 Music Prize "What's It Gonna Be?" Best British Pop Single Nominated [43]
2019 Music Producers Guild Awards Herself Remixer of the Year Won [44]
UK Music Video Awards "Religion" Best Pop Video - Newcomer Nominated [45]
Best Art Vinyl Forevher Best Vinyl Art Nominated [46]

Music videos

[edit]
  • "Touch" (2014)
  • "Indecision" (2015)
  • "2Shy" (2015)
  • "White Light" (2015)
  • "White Light (Extended Video)" (2015)
  • "What's It Gonna Be?" (2016)
  • "311215" (2016)
  • "BKLYNLDN" (2019)
  • "religion (u can lay your hands on me)" (2019)
  • "religion (u can lay your hands on me) (Vertical Video)" (2019)
  • "obsession" (2021)

Discography

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Albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[47] 		BEL
(FL)
[48] 		BEL
(WA)
[49] 		IRE
[50] 		SCO
[51] 		SWI
[52] 		US Heat
[53]
Nothing's Real 13 73 130 73 15 35 12
Forevher 61 — — — 32 — 18

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Touch" 2014 Nothing's Real
"Indecision"
"2Shy" 2015
"White Light"
"Touch"
(re-release featuring Talib Kweli) 		2016 Non-album single
"What's It Gonna Be?" Nothing's Real
"The Space Tapes"
"311215"
"Nothing's Real"
"Love Theme"
(with Tourist) 		2019 Everyday
"Bklynldn" Forevher
"Religion (U Can Lay Your Hands on Me)"[55]
"The Stage"
"Elevator Girl"
(featuring Ivy Sole) 		2020 forevher (Deluxe Edition)[56]
"Obsession"
(featuring Rosie Lowe) 		2021
[edit]
  • Mura Masa – "Love for That" (2015) (featuring Shura)
  • Tracey Thorn – "Air" (2018) (featuring Shura)
  • Hope FC – "Call Me a Lioness" (2023) (featuring Olivia Dean, Melanie C, Shura,
    Marika Hackman, Rachel Chinouriri,
    Jasmine Jethwa, Rose Gray, Highlyy,
    Al Greenwood & Self Esteem)
  • Sorrow – 1+1 (2013) (featuring Shura)
  • Sorrow – Your Lips Your Soul (Always) (2016) (featuring CoMa, Shura)
  • Sorrow – Thinking of You (2016) (featuring Shura)

Remixes

[edit]
Artist Song Year
Jessie Ware "Say You Love Me" 2014
Pumarosa "Priestess" 2015
Mabel "My Boy My Town" 2016
Tegan and Sara "Boyfriend"
Kiiara "Gold"
Astrid S "Breathe" 2017
Aurora "Queendom" 2018
NIMMO "It's Easier" 2018
The Undercover Dream Lover "Tightrope" 2020
Delilah Montagu "Loud"
Becca Mancari "Lonely Boy"
Ines Rae "Never Get It Right" 2021
Saint Sister "Dynamite" 2023

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Cragg, Michael (11 November 2014). "Meet Shura, Electro-Pop's Downy New Poster Girl". The Fader. Archived from the original on 23 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  2. ^ Hillyard, Kim (9 September 2014). "Next Wave #597: Shura". Clash. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  3. ^ Levy, Joe (29 July 2016). "Review: Shura's 'Nothing's Real' Is a Downer Glam Gem". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 17 May 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  4. ^ DeVille, Chris (25 November 2014). "Artist To Watch: Shura". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  5. ^ The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers, record for 'Touch', Work ID 886607565
  6. ^ "Aleksandra Lilah Yakunina-Denton – Creature Blog". Creaturemag.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Young Writers Anthology Launch Party/Open Mic Night". Heyevent.com. 11 June 2009. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Get To Know: Shura". Hunger TV. 16 March 2014. Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  9. ^ Vincent, Alice (5 November 2014). "Shura - New Music". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  10. ^ Hillyard, Kim (9 September 2014). "Next Wave #597: Shura". Clash. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  11. ^ Lester, Paul (18 August 2014). "The playlist – new bands: Jagaara, Movement and Shura". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  12. ^ Dombal, Ryan (22 July 2014). "Shura: "Just Once"". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  13. ^ Geslani, Michelle (14 October 2014). "Shura shares gorgeous synthpop song "Indecision" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  14. ^ Breihan, Tom (22 August 2014). "Jessie Ware – "Say You Love Me (Shura Remix)"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 25 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  15. ^ "BBC Music - BBC Music Sound Of, 2015 - Shura". Bbc.co.uk. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 17 April 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Universal Music Publishing Group | UK". Umusicpub.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 July 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  17. ^ Hunt, El (9 March 2015). "Shura - 2Shy". DIY. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  18. ^ White, Caitlin (3 June 2015). "Shura – "White Light"". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 18 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  19. ^ a b Milton, Jamie (10 June 2015). "Shura shares 'Three Years' short film". DIY. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  20. ^ Thomas, Russell (7 July 2015). "Shura announces White Light EP". The 405. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  21. ^ "BBC Music Sound Of 2015 longlist revealed". BBC News. 1 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  22. ^ Hannah J Davies. "SOAK: the indie-folk prodigy fighting for gay rights in Northern Ireland". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  23. ^ "Shura new album | Talib Kweli Touch remixes | Nothing's Real". Never Enough Notes. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  24. ^ "Shura". recordstoreday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
  25. ^ Hunt, El (9 December 2014). "It's a Shura thing: "My boobs, licensed to Polydor"". DIY. Archived from the original on 23 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Shura". Secretly Canadian. Archived from the original on 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  27. ^ Snapes, Laura (27 November 2019). "Melanie C: 'I've had an incredible career. It's time I accepted myself'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  28. ^ Subscribe (16 March 2020). "Shura teams up with rapper Ivy Sole on new song 'elevator girl' | News". diymag.com. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  29. ^ "elevator girl ft. Ivy Sole (Space Tape Edit), by Shura". Shura. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  30. ^ Dunworth, Liberty (19 July 2023). "Listen to Lionesses' World Cup song featuring Mel C, Self Esteem and more". NME. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  31. ^ Smyth, David (16 August 2019). "Shura interview: 'It's a dark time for anyone who isn't cisgender, white and straight'". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 3 October 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  32. ^ "Valentina Yakunina | Actress". IMDb. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  33. ^ Smyth, David (16 August 2019). "Shura on hope, feeling loved up and being 'a card-carrying atheist'". The Standard. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  34. ^ a b c "How Shura Turned Growing Pains Into A Glittering Pop Record". The Fader. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  35. ^ Hambro, Maya (25 November 2014). "Shura: "I'm more of a monogamous songwriter"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  36. ^ a b c Savage, Mark (13 July 2016). "Shura: 'Pop music doesn't represent me'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  37. ^ Madden, Josh (19 February 2014). "shura "touch"". Nylon Guys. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  38. ^ Wood, Betty (17 June 2011). "Introducing: Shura". Creaturemag.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  39. ^ "Shura: 'Football has affected my character and my work ethics which definitely affects my music'". WomensSoccerUnited.xom. 5 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  40. ^ ""I Was Never Interested in Hiding My Sexuality": Exploring Shura's Teen Crush Triumph". Noisey. 18 July 2016. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  41. ^ a b "'I'm a lesbian': Electropop star Shura comes out as gay ahead of Manchester gig". Mancunian Matters. 9 December 2015. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  42. ^ Pollard, Alexandra (14 August 2019). "Shura interview: 'God can't hate the gays – I was blessed by the Pope'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  43. ^ "The Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize". Popjustice.com. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  44. ^ "The Music Producers Guild Announces its 2019 Awards Winners". The Music Producers Guild. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  45. ^ "Nominations for UK Music Video Awards 2019 revealed". Shots.net. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
  46. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  47. ^ "UK Charts > Shura". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  48. ^ "Shura albums (Flanders)". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 2 January 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  49. ^ "Shura albums (Walloon))". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 27 December 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  50. ^ Steffen Hung. "Discography Shura". Irishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  51. ^ Peaks in Scotland:
  52. ^ "SHURA IN DER SCHWEIZER HITPARADE". Hit Parade. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  53. ^ "Shura - Billboard Heatseekers". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  54. ^ "forevher by Shura". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  55. ^ "Shura - religion (u can lay your hands on me)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  56. ^ "Shura - forevher (Deluxe Edition)". Spotify. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
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