Shamir Bailey

Shamir is Shamir and remains Shamir through and through, no matter what the universe puts him through. You may know the singularly named artist (think—Madonna or Cher) from his 2015 debut hit record Rachet, beloved by NPR listeners and club kids alike. After quickly rising to underground fame with his Northtown EP in 2014, the DIY pop star made a sonic splash with Rachet’s lead single “On The Regular,” a poppy banger that had extensive commercial usage. But how to follow all that up? Shamir, who came from the dusty dunes of Las Vegas, to Brooklyn’s Silent Barn, to the Philly indie scene (and all over the world in between), wanted to go back to what had inspired him from the beginning. Outsider music, country & punk. Raw and vulnerable tunes, stripped down to their emotional core. 2017’s Revelations explored a new avenue of guitar driven hooky indie rock and was widely critically praised in the US and overseas.

Shamir’s most recent releases, the brilliant Room 7” on Father/Daughter, and his self-released limited edition album, Resolution, are pinnacles in the catalog of the increasingly fascinating artist’s career. Room and its b-side Caballero celebrate Shamir’s love of country music, while Resolution is a deeply introspective look into the fabric of society and the artists’ own mind.  With these two releases he has refined his craft exponentially and done so in less than six months from the release of Revelations.

@shamirbailey

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Talks

Shamir Talks with Liza Anne on the Talkhouse Podcast

By Talkhouse Podcast | July 23, 2020

Shamir Talks with Liza Anne on the Talkhouse Podcast

They talk spirituality, mental health, and which folk star Shamir was in a past life.

Shamir on How White People Need to Pass the Mic

By Shamir Bailey | June 10, 2020

Shamir on How White People Need to Pass the Mic

Revisiting his review of Chelsea Handler's special Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea.

Ratchet TV: Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea

By Shamir Bailey | October 7, 2019

Ratchet TV: Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea

Chelsea Handler's new special tries to tackle the subject of her own white privilege, but is she better off just passing the mic? Shamir reflects.

Remembering Daniel Johnston

By Shamir Bailey | September 17, 2019

Remembering Daniel Johnston

Shamir pays tribute to the godfather of bedroom pop.

Ratchet TV: Aziz Ansari: Right Now

By Shamir Bailey | August 21, 2019

Ratchet TV: Aziz Ansari: Right Now

Shamir takes a closer look at the controversial new stand up special and the advent of "apology culture."

Ratchet TV: Wanda Sykes’s Not Normal

By Shamir Bailey | May 31, 2019

Ratchet TV: Wanda Sykes’s Not Normal

Per Shamir, Sykes didn't need Netflix — Netflix needed her.

Ratchet TV: Shrill

By Shamir Bailey | April 30, 2019

Ratchet TV: Shrill

Even in a post-Lizzo world, we could all use a little more self-love.

Ratchet TV: Losers

By Shamir Bailey | March 27, 2019

Ratchet TV: Losers

Shamir on Netflix’s new docu-series about the winners with bad luck.

Ratchet TV: Abducted in Plain Sight

By Shamir Bailey | February 22, 2019

Ratchet TV: Abducted in Plain Sight

Shamir was blown away by the whiteness and weirdness of Netflix’s new true crime doc.

Ratchet TV: Ellen DeGeneres’s Relatable

By Shamir Bailey | January 16, 2019

Ratchet TV: Ellen DeGeneres’s Relatable

Introducing a new column from our resident TV expert Shamir Bailey.

Best of 2018: Shamir’s Favorite Album of 2018 is Skating Polly’s The Make It All Show

By Shamir Bailey | December 10, 2018

Best of 2018: Shamir’s Favorite Album of 2018 is Skating Polly’s The Make It All Show

Skating Polly’s latest gives Shamir hope for a mainstream grunge revival.

Staying Healthy is a Full-Time Job

By Shamir Bailey | October 25, 2018

Staying Healthy is a Full-Time Job

Shamir dives deep into the psychology of Netflix's Maniac.

Shamir-oscopes: December 2017

By Shamir Bailey | December 4, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: December 2017

This month's predictions and music recommendations from our resident astrologer.

Shamir-oscopes: November 2017

By Shamir Bailey | November 6, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: November 2017

This month's predictions and music recommendations from our resident astrologer.

Shamir-oscopes: October 2017

By Shamir Bailey | October 2, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: October 2017

This month's predictions and music recommendations from our resident astrologer.

Shamir-oscopes: September 2017

By Shamir Bailey | September 5, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: September 2017

This month's predictions and music recommendations from our resident astrologer.

Shamir-oscopes: August 2017

By Shamir Bailey | August 1, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: August 2017

Our resident astrologer reveals your cosmic theme song, mantra, and fortune for the month.

Shamir-oscopes: July 2017

By Shamir Bailey | July 6, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: July 2017

Our resident astrologer reveals your cosmic theme song, mantra, and fortune for the month.

Shamir-oscopes: June 2017

By Shamir Bailey | June 6, 2017

Shamir-oscopes: June 2017

Talkhouse's brand-new astrologer breaks down your sign's theme song, mantra, and fortune for the month.

Katie Harkin (Sleater-Kinney, Sky Larkin) on Songs About People the Protagonist Hasn’t Met Yet – [Updated]

By Katie Harkin | April 7, 2017

Katie Harkin (Sleater-Kinney, Sky Larkin) on Songs About People the Protagonist Hasn’t Met Yet – [Updated]

An exploration of the form, including responses from Shamir, Jenn Wasner (Wye Oak), Tom Fleming (Wild Beasts), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney) and more.

Shamir Explains Why This Orange is the New Black Death Scene Bothered Him So Much

By Shamir Bailey | August 1, 2016

Shamir Explains Why This Orange is the New Black Death Scene Bothered Him So Much

The singer-songwriter talks race, police violence and dangerous fictions.