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
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
I make the kind of music I like
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 privilege the music over the lyrics
So I started chanting when I was nineteen, which was about twelve years ago, and it really had a huge impact on my outlook, happiness, and general creativity.
I wouldn't say that I've had a tough life by any stretch of the imagination.
Ultimately, if I'm really moved by something, it's going to go on the record and that's that
Things come to me pretty regularly. There is never a shortage or a backlog
My first two records were more energetic; Phantom Moon is subtle, quiet; so these various reactions are just something I expected
Lately I've been a workaholic. I'm in the studio all the time and I've helped to produce a couple of artists
Simon Hale, the British arranger, does all string and wood arrangements on my records
I got a publishing deal with BMG, they were supportive, and some money to record demos
When I was a teenager, I got into four track recorders, drum machines, and synthesizers, and I started producing instrumental music.
I try to make sure that the Buddhism is more or less implicit in the music rather than explicit