Bio
Shanika Maria (she/they) is a queer Black singer-songwriter, producer and composer currently based in Toronto. Her lyrics are contemplative and introspective as she navigates the intercisies of the human condition. She is influenced by music across genres, borrowing sounds and ideas from country, folk, jazz, classical, latin and electronic music. They are interested in integrating new styles and ways of creating music into her practice. Under the name shn shn, she delves into production and soundscapes using lush vocals, meditative beats, swelling pads, to create cinematic inspired music.
Over their career, they have released two projects under Shanika Maria: Childish Games EP [2017] and Subtle Uncertainties LP [2019] and under shn shn has released two: self-produced and release EPs structura(2020) and e.strange.d(2021), created a 3 song piece for A More Beautiful Journey AR transit application called Passageways and Pathways (2022) and performs her continually evolving semi-improvised piece one and many: a reflection (2022-2023).
Across all of her projects, she explores themes about identity, relationships and mental illness. Through exsisting in her identities, she is forced to navigate and negotiate these questions, which have subtly and overtly come through her music. Shanika continues to expand her practice by collaborating across artistic disciplines with providing music for dance performance, films, promotional materials , theater, as well as being commissioned to remix other artists' work.
Subtle Uncertainties
featuring singles “A Proud Woman”, “Thinking Outloud” and “Anti-Adulthood”. Out now on all music platforms.
Childish Games EP
Acoustic folk album featuring the title track “Childish Games”. Listen on all music platforms.
