Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheik
Duncan Sheikis an American singer-songwriter and composer. Initially finding success as a singer, most notably for his 1996 debut single "Barely Breathing", he later expanded to compositions for motion pictures and the Broadway stage, such as the successful musical, Spring Awakening, where he won multiple Tonys and a Grammy. Sheik practices Nichiren Buddhism and is a member of the US branch of the worldwide Buddhist association Soka Gakkai International...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComposer
Date of Birth18 November 1969
CityMontclair, NJ
CountryUnited States of America
Duncan Sheik quotes about
Ultimately, if I'm really moved by something, it's going to go on the record and that's that
But really important, perhaps most important is the craft; how you make your record, the creation of these sonic worlds you want your listener to hear.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer or King Crimson or Gentle Giant - the worst prog rock references I can come up with. Though I totally loved those groups as a kid.
I started playing music at a pretty young age
I actually am always a music first person
I make the kind of music I like
I did a song, "Court and Spark," for a Joni Mitchell tribute album that's yet to see the light of day. So she's someone I'd like to do something with, sure. I worked with the great guitar player Bill Frisell on Phantom Moon - that was fun. I'm such a fan; he's amazing.
I'm fortunate I have this coterie of musicians around me to help take music to next level. Being surrounded by so much creative energy, so many creative people really feeds that creativity in me
But I can't really say there is too much modern music that I'm blown away by at this moment
I actually think sadness and darkness can be very beautiful and healing.
For my second record I had gotten ProTools (program) and started to familiar myself with hard disc recording.
The experiences of promoting my first album were really something; there is so much illusion in my environment (touring and pop music) that I wanted to clear away.
After College I traveled across country to LA and within six months had a record deal - it was very premature, I was not ready to make a record.
I mean, I was glad that people liked it and happy for it to be on the radio, but all my musical influences weren't really pop artists.