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
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'm a pretty big P.J. Harvey record fan and you can really hear New York in his 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.
But I can't really say there is too much modern music that I'm blown away by at this moment
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 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 make the kind of music I like
I actually am always a music first person
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, once I've written a song, you know, I'm pretty happy with what the song is on its own terms.
I certainly wouldn't say that my life is a disaster, but there have been moments where I've felt like that
I think in a way I was probably completely naive about what it takes to make something become a hit
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.