Shraya began writing songs at the age of 13, went on to perform and have success at various talent competitions (including winning the 2001 Futuresfest competition and finalist at 2002 Northern Alberta Singer/Songwriter Competition) until recording his debut alternative pop rock record THROAT in 2002 featuring instrumentation by Jann Arden’s chief collaborator, Russell Broom. Three songs from THROAT were remixed by John Wozniak from Marcy Playground and were included on the independent release of the THROAT EP in 2003. During this time, a quietly intense, single voice and single guitar project entitled Samsara: The Sketches was also recorded and released. Shraya moved to Toronto in 2003, playing at local venues and music festivals including Canadian Music Week and NXNE and released A Composite of Straight Lines, a 6 track EP featuring a guest performance by Tegan Quin of Tegan and Sara. It was named the #5 record of 2005 by Soul Shine Magazine, and its single, Logic Vs., was the winner of We Are Listening’s 2005 International Singer/Songwriter Awards. In 2007, Shraya changed direction entirely, releasing an electropop record entitled If We’re Not Talking, featuring Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara and produced by Meghan Toohey, which was reviewed and showcased positively on numerous music blogs with comparison’s to Prince, Of Montreal, and Justin Timberlake. This was shortly followed by the release of an electro dance cover of Seven Nation Army (White Stripes), as a free download on MySpace and Shraya’s website. Shraya has toured across North America, sharing the stage with Tegan and Sara, Dragonette, Melanie C, Team Dresch, Melissa Ferrick, Brian Byrne and Greg MacPherson. Recently heard on ABC’s Private Practice, Shraya will be releasing his follow up to If We’re Not Talking in the fall of 2009, entitled Keys & Machines. |
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