Nadine Shah

Born of Pakistani and Norwegian parentage, Whitburn, South Tyneside-based singer/songwriter Nadine Shah possesses a voice and more importantly, a mystique, that has often been described as a blend of PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. She debuted her brooding, intensely atmospheric mix of midnight loner pop and torchy, jazz-kissed indie rock on a pair of EPs in 2012, followed by the full-length Love Your Dum and Mad in 2013. Her third album, 2017′s Holiday Destination, was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize.
Inspired by jazz and pop as a youth, as well the religious Sufi songs that her father brought into the house, Shah issued a series of evocative singles and a pair of EPs before releasing her debut long-player, 2013′s Love Your Dum and Mad, produced by Ben Hillier (Blur, the Horrors, Depeche Mode). Hillier returned for 2015′s follow-up Fast Food, an album that explored the passionate and dark sides of relationships. On her third studio album, 2017′s Holiday Destination, Shah delved into her identity and heritage alongside the rise of global nationalism — the LP was earned a Mercury Prize nomination in 2018. The singer’s fourth set, Kitchen Sink, arrived in June 2020. Produced again by long-time collaborator Ben Hillier, the album continued her trademark social commentary. ~ James Christopher Monger