Five years might seem lengthy to some, but for Shura, it has felt brief. The English singer-songwriter took the time to reflect on the abrupt halt the world faced in 2019. While stuck in New York during lockdown and later returning to London, Shura has encapsulated loneliness, isolation, and eventual joy in her third studio album, ‘I Got Too Sad For My Friends’. Discussing her New York lockdown experience, the ever-changing landscape of London, and her Twitch community, Shura shared her inspiration for the new record and her emerging role as a content creator.
Places emerged as an unintentional theme in the album. Perhaps a subconscious desire to return to touring, Shura reflects on her time in Tokyo, the last stop of her previous tour, and America, where she found herself stranded once lockdown began. The album's opener, ‘Tokyo’, initiates a semi-chronological reflection: “Temporally, that felt like a nice place to open the record. It was the last time I felt like I had a normal life. I appreciate that places are a part of [the album], especially during a time when I wasn’t going anywhere. These smaller trips felt like significant adventures.”
—
—
What was the lockdown experience like for Shura? Residing in an “no man’s land” between Green Point, Williamsburg, and Bushwick near Brooklyn, Shura shared her apartment with her partner. “It had incredibly high ceilings, and I think that’s what saved us. It felt spacious, and we had a roof terrace shared with other apartments. It was only four stories, so it wasn’t too tall. I recall moments when we’d all gather on the roof, sitting in different corners, masked and distanced. It created a really nice sense of community which brought us together a bit.”
Prior to COVID, New York was a hub of social possibilities and renewal for her. “When I moved to New York, I had a partner who was very familiar with the city. She took me out. I was dining at restaurants, going to bars, making friends, and socializing.” Meanwhile, London had changed while Shura was on the move. “I felt like I’d been on a treadmill for four years, running at full speed. I saw Heathrow airport more often than my parents. I realized my life in London had shrunk entirely.” Moments of stark realization, such as visiting a revamped King’s Cross, heightened her awareness that life had progressed without her: “I was like: what?! I don’t recognize anything. I don’t know where places are, where people socialize, which restaurants are good, or where the gay bars are.”
Now back in London, Shura has embraced a “hermit” lifestyle, allowing her the space to return to songwriting. Naturally, nerves resurfaced with the first announcements: “I remember having the Instagram post ready on my screen, my heart racing. I think having taken so long exacerbated the feelings that arise when finally sharing my work. Now, I’m more in the flow, and it’s nice to remember this is my identity.”
—
—
However, Shura's role has expanded beyond just being a singer-songwriter. Adapting to the necessity of being multifaceted, many artists are now tasked with managing their social media alongside crafting an album: “We’re not merely songwriters or producers; we’re expected to be content creators who capture every aspect of our daily lives, edit them into clips, and learn how to add subtitles.”
In the past, gaining recognition seemed more direct, relying on platforms like Soundcloud and Hype Machine for labels to discover new talent. Today, it’s a competition for attention on TikTok, hoping a 30-second clip goes viral. Yet, Shura doesn't dwell on her TikTok account: “I use TikTok, and it’s going as well as could be expected. It’s enjoyable because I don’t take it too seriously. It’s like, ‘Sure, let’s film a video of my partner with a broccoli having a funeral.’ That’s vastly different from when I started.”
Although she stepped back from music, Shura still fostered a sense of community through her Twitch channel. A self-proclaimed scaredy cat, she has played horror games like Resident Evil and Visage to entertain her fans—essentially streaming a heart attack. For her, it evokes nostalgia. “It reminded me of a digital version of a Friday night. You’d go to Blockbuster, rent a game and a movie that was one age rating higher than you were allowed. It transported me back to those teenage moments of comfort, just hanging out with friends, being silly, and having fun without worrying about being good at the game.”
Now, as she prepares for a performance at Bush Hall this coming June, Shura must set aside her hermit lifestyle. While her Twitch channel will continue, other pastimes like organizing will need to
Water From Your Eyes is set to release their new album 'It's A Beautiful Place' on August 22nd. The duo, consisting of Nate Amos and Rachel Brown, has put out a series of
London-based artist Mansur Brown has revealed information about his upcoming album 'Rihla'. A versatile collaborator and in-demand producer, Mansur Brown has collaborated with
On Thursday, June 19th, we are organizing a unique late-night Clash Live event at STEREO in Covent Garden. We will be delivering some of the summer vibe.
In honor of World Music Day on June 21st, Monkey Shoulder Whisky has crafted the perfect auditory experience. By combining the finest aspects of a
Introducing the 21-year-old multihyphenate from Auckland who is elevating the art of world-building to unprecedented heights.
With two EPs released in their new collaboration, longtime friends and hardcore veterans Stephen Harrison and Aric Improta are positioning themselves as one of the most adaptable and innovative acts in heavy music.
Five years might seem lengthy to some, but for Shura, it has felt brief. The English singer-songwriter used this period to come to terms with the abrupt halt that