Music feels like a six sense to me, and it's never been just a hobby. It's something that I have to do to breathe. It's an extension of who I am.

Shamir

Categorized in : Me Never I Am Music

I always say I never felt 'latched' to a gender. I just kind of always felt like myself, and I never felt like I had to do certain things or be a certain way to fit into a certain mold.

never myself gender way

I can hit baritone notes, and I can sing in the soprano range if I wanted to. I did this thing a long time ago where I did a duet with myself. I sound like two different people.

myself time long people

I think as long as you wear your imperfections on your sleeve, people respect it more.

you respect long people

I was inspired to make music since I was 7 because my aunt is a songwriter.

make aunt inspired music

I always surprise myself with my voice. A lot of people don't get it, and they're like, 'You can't sing. Stop. What are you doing?' And it's funny to hear a lot people say I sing in falsetto because it's not falsetto - that's my voice.

myself you funny people

As far as influences, I listen to a lot of people like Nina Simone and other androgynous voices, almost to make me feel like I'm not alone.

alone feel me people

As far as long-term goals, one of my favorite artists ever is Tegan and Sara, because every single one of their albums sounds different. Or Beck. I want to be like that because I come from so many different types of musical backgrounds.

goals like single want

I wrote all my songs on my main instruments, and the songs I would record in my bedroom were just acoustic guitar, mandolin, and sometimes bass. I really like the texture the mandolin added to my music, but my fingers were too big to play it... I could only do little riffs and whatever.

guitar music play sometimes

I want people to listen to my music and everyone to feel included, and I think it's kind of working because all my audiences are always so colorful.

feel think music people

I had always been a really peculiar child. My mom would tell you I grew up roughing it with the boys and playing with action figures and toy cars and stuff, but I also had an Easy Bake Oven... I find it amazing that in a really weird way, people are mad that they can't figure out my gender.

you gender mom people

If you listen to most of my songs, the lyrics are pretty kind of dark, but I like to put it behind happy music because then it evens it out... I'm really happy, actually. Obviously I have my bad moments, but I always challenge myself to not put negativity out there because there's already enough.

myself you music happy

I always find it amazing that people get mad because they can't figure out my gender. Even though my only job here is to create art, I think being a genderless figure... it shakes people. And when that happens, it makes me feel like I'm doing my job.

me gender people art

I never felt like a boy or a girl, never felt I should wear this or dress like that. I think that's where that confidence comes from because I never felt I had to play a part in my life. I just always come as Shamir.

dress confidence girl life

My plan was to release a tape, move to Arkansas, live on a farm, and make music like Bon Iver.

farm plan live music

I prefer to stay in if I have a choice. I lose energy being around people. I know that sounds horrible.

lose know energy people

I'm naturally androgynous. I don't wear makeup or skirts.

naturally wear skirts makeup

I'm just, 'Hi, I'm Shamir. I'm gonna sing, hug you, then you can buy my album.'

sing just you hug

I don't really get nervous.

really get nervous

My first time doing music was on acoustic guitar. I had a friend from Texas who taught me so much country, I entered a few country competitions. But eventually, I got tired of it.

me tired music time

Nina Simone had such an androgynous voice; the first time I listened to her I thought it was a man, and I'm sure a lot of people listening to me think I'm a woman. Her voice is kinda like the poster child for me.

woman me man time