Words by Carol Wright | Photos Courtesy of Aneesa Sheikh
Aneesa Sheikh chatted with Nyota about her song “New Normal” and her non-profit Music4M.I.R.A.C.L.E.
Growing up did you often put on performances for your family?
All the time! I remember writing songs in my bedroom and rushing downstairs to my mom’s office and begging her to stop what she was doing and listen to me sing and play guitar. Every time I had friends or my family’s friends come over, my dad would make me put on a performance for them in the living room. In middle school and high school, I sang for my dad every night before going to bed.
Tell us about your single “New Normal”. What inspired the lyrics?
My latest song “New Normal” stems from my experiences with my father before and after his medical stroke. I illustrated what the experience was like in the lyrics of the song. This song represents my personal life, but also reflects what everyone across the globe is going through right now, which is a new normal way of life.
Was it therapeutic for you to write the song?
Yes, music itself is very therapeutic. Whenever I feel stressed, I pick up my guitar and instantly it makes me feel better. One of my favorite quotes is “When words fail, music speaks,” by Hans Christian Andersen. One of my dear friends, Ali McManus told me “singing a song is three minutes of no pain.” I love these two quotes because they define what music is: a feeling.
Who are some of your music inspirations?
I love Jewel! Jewel’s music is such an inspiration to me because of how real her lyrics and sound is. She shares her observations of the world with the audience through her lyrics. She doesn’t write songs about what she thinks people want; her experiences, and feelings write her songs, and she doesn’t alter this based on the music business.
Tell us about your non-profit Music4M.I.R.A.C.L.E. What motivated you to start it and how could our readers get involved?
Music4M.I.R.A.C.L.E. is an acronym that stands for Music, Inspires, Reaches, accepts, Captures, Loves, Equally. I truly feel as though music does this when I witnessed its healing nature with my father, which is why I created this project. I aim to bring music into hospitals and bring light to those affected by a medical crisis. Singing for patients on zoom and supplying music instruments helps pass the time during these tragic times and music is a healthy coping mechanism.
What advice do you have for aspiring singers?
Be ready and be obsessed with your music. This industry is so quick paced that if you are not ready at any given moment, you will miss your chance.
