Shilpa Ray – ‘Nocturnal Emissions’
Having caught Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds over the weekend, and with the gig still ringing in my ears, today’s Track of the Day is inspired by their support act, Shilpa Ray.
“Hello, everybody; I’m here to massage your pants until you get raped by Nick Cave,” she said upon entering the stage. This, dear readers, this was the moment I fell in love with Shilpa Ray.
Having struggled reprehensibly for recognition early in her career, Shilpa Ray is finally receiving the acclaim her beautifully wild voice and accompanying harmonium deserve. Typically, she is joined by her Happy Hookers, all hailing from Brooklyn, who have worked their way through two full-length studio albums since 2009: A Fish Hook an Open Eye and Teenage Torture.
Despite the brilliant blood-and-blister-causing harmonium that Shilpa Ray taught herself to play at the age of 16, the real appeal comes solely from her expressive lyrics and jazz-drenched, sleazy blues, punk rock and roll voice, which sinisterly lures you in until you are hypnotised by her sound.
Ray recently declared, “Me and my self-indulgent massive ego are playing in Glasgow tonight. If you don’t like my ‘dour screeching melancholy caterwauling’ go watch a fuckin’ boy band or have some beer at the bar before Nick’s set. I honestly don’t care.” Too fucking right. Her ability to switch from so-called caterwauling to a slower number that melts hearts is exactly what makes Shilpa Ray so unique.
On an interesting side note, the video for ‘Nocturnal Emission’ was partially funded by fans, who were asked to donate to help complete the film—each contribution coming with a special reward.
This was my particular favourite: “Do you like Indian food? I’m a great cook! I will make you and your friends/family dinner! (No more than 10 people please) I will also come over and play a solo set for an event you decide to host. Your name will also go on the credits as Executive Producer. If you want I’ll bring you your prop/video still/poster bounty right to your door since yet again, I’m coming over.”
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