Shamir

Shamir Bailey (born November 7, 1994) is an American singer and songwriter from Las Vegas, Nevada. His debut extended play (EP), Northtown, was released in June 2014 to positive reviews. His debut LP Ratchet was released on May 19, 2015 in the United States. an area that he has called "cookie-cutter suburban". He was raised as a Muslim but describes himself as "more spiritual than religious, I don't believe in god per se, I kind of feel like god is the universe." Although he does not have a preferred pronoun, he is comfortable with male pronouns, and "never really got" singular they.

His aunt was in the music business and lived with Shamir and his mother. Bass players and producers were guests at the family's home, helping his aunt with her songs.

At age 16, he formed a punk band with a friend, but the band ended quickly when his partner froze on stage at their first gig. During his high school years, he recorded tracks for his first EP. Jules Muir, writing for the music blog Pigeons & Planes noted that Shamir "continues to make a bigger name for himself with every new release and a unique new sound on each". Jamieson Cox of Pitchfork called the EP's opening track, "If It Wasn't True" "a stunning opening salvo, one that plays on the tension between Shamir's slender vocal and lyrical naiveté and grimy, threatening instrumental tones before devolving into a chaotic mess, swallowed by a haphazardly firing synth corroding in real-time". Radio.com also included Shamir in its "New Music To Know: Best of 2014, So Far" profile, noting that "Shamir combines the honest songwriting of Taylor Swift with the theatrics of Lana Del Rey to make something that sounds far wiser than his 19 years."

After signing to XL Recordings, he released the single "On the Regular" in October 2014 which went on to be used in a 2015 Android Wear commercial. In March 2015, he released "Call It Off" as a single in the debut album, Ratchet, released on May 19, 2015. The accompanied music video was made and released as part of the 2015 YouTube Music Awards. "Darker" was the second single from Ratchet; the song was released in May 2015. In 2015, he toured with Years & Years, opening for their UK dates. In mid-March 2016, he served as the opening act for Troye Sivan's Blue Neighbourhood Tour. On April 17, 2017, Shamir released his second album, Hope. He revealed he was dropped from XL Recordings and self-released the album.

After Hope was released, Shamir broke with his management team and again considered quitting his music career. After a psychotic episode, he spent time in a psychiatric hospital, where he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He returned to Las Vegas, where he wrote and recorded most of his third album, Revelations, in two weeks. Noting that the style of the album differed significantly from his previous work, he told a journalist: "A lot of people think I'm crazy. I guess I kind of am. But I also know what's best for me, and that's more important than fame and money".

Shamir was featured on Wussy Magazines "Sex Issue" in 2018. On March 9, 2018, Shamir released his fourth album, Resolution without any prior announcement. Resolution marks a continuation of Shamir's indie rock style, similar to Hope and Revelations.

In January 2020, Shamir contributed to a benefit compilation in support of Bernie Sanders's 2020 presidential run. Organized by indie rock band Strange Ranger, the compilation was titled "Bernie Speaks With the Community".

In 2020, Shamir released the self-titled full-length album, Shamir. It was co-produced by Kyle Pulley, and many of the songs, including the single "On My Own" were recorded at Headroom Studios in Philadelphia. The album was met with critical acclaim and made year end lists for Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and NPR Music.

Shamir published his first book, But I'm a Painter, with Bottlecap Press in 2021, a collection of essays about paintings he created over the previous six years.

Musical style Shamir is known for having an androgynous countertenor voice. In a 2020 Vulture interview, Shamir cited Taylor Swift as an inspiration and influence on his songwriting.

Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions USDance USHeat USIndie RatchetReleased: May 19, 2015 Label: XL Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 6 7 22 HopeReleased: April 17, 2017 Label: Self-released Formats: LP, streaming — — — RevelationsReleased: November 3, 2017 Label: Father/Daughter Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming — — — ResolutionReleased: August 31, 2018 Label: Self-released Formats: LP, digital download, streaming — — — Be the Yee, Here Comes the HawReleased: April 19, 2019 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download, streaming — — — CataclysmReleased: March 18, 2020 Label: Self-released Formats: Cassette, digital download, streaming — — — ShamirReleased: October 2, 2020 Label: Self-released Formats: LP, cassette, digital download, streaming — — — Heterosexuality Released: February 11, 2022 Label: AntiFragile Formats: LP, digital download, streaming — — — Homo Anxietatem Released: August 18, 2023 Label: Kill Rock Stars Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming — — — Ten Released: May 16, 2025 Label: Kill Rock Stars Formats: LP, CD, digital download, streaming — — —

Extended plays Title Details BitterReleased: January 31, 2014 Label: Little L Formats: Digital download NorthtownReleased: June 6, 2014 Label: Godmode Formats: Vinyl, Digital download Shamir on Audiotree LiveReleased: December 20, 2017 Label: Audiotree Music Formats: Digital download, streaming RoomReleased: March 9, 2018 Label: Father/Daughter Formats: 7-inch vinyl, digital download, streaming Jam in the Van - Shamir (Live Session)Released: March 10, 2018 Label: Self-released Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

Guest appearances Release Year Other artist(s) Credits Album "Punx with Ukeleles" 2019 Fashion Brigade Featured artist/co-writer Fvck the Heartache "Shout" 2018 House of Feelings Featured artist/co-writer New Lows "Tantrum" 2017 Michete Featured artist/co-writer Cool Tricks 3 (EP) "Tunnel Vision" Rina Sawayama Featured artist/co-writer Rina (EP) "Like O, Like H" Tegan and Sara Cover performer Tegan and Sara present The Con X: Covers "Falling" House of Feelings Featured artist/co-writer Last Chance (EP)

Other album appearances Song Year Other artist(s) Album "Burn with Me" 2020 Bernie Speaks with the Community

Filmography Dear White People - AJ (2017) Tuca & Bertie - multiple voices (2019)

Tours Opening act Marina and the Diamonds – Neon Nature Tour (2015) Troye Sivan - Blue Neighbourhood Tour (2016) (Washington D.C., Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, Dallas and Houston shows)