Meet Shilpa Ray

For anybody out there who has not already heard Shilpa Ray, they are a scream in your face rock and rolling explosion of good-time energy. They are a pillar of the Brooklyn music scene, and we are happy to have had the chance to feature them in today’s interview. Below we talk about all kinds of fun stuff including their terrific new track “Manic Pixie Dream Cunt” which you can listen to right below these words.

Two Truths and A Lie with Shilpa Ray (Answer at the bottom)

I got shot in my left arm when I was in the 7th grade and now have a scar in the shape of a vagina
When I first moved to New York I got mugged by a white dude on a bicycle who got nothing of value except for my poetry journals and my Marquee Moon CD. I was so broke at the time working a minimum wage job and sleeping on my sister's couch. Dude did not win the lottery when he decided to mess w/ me.
I'm an incredible athlete. I was the captain of the women's soccer team

Would you rather…

be the greatest juggler in the world or the greatest hypnotist? What would you do with your new-found powers?

Hypnotist. I would manipulate the manipulators

Some questions with Shilpa Ray

Would you ever play a prom if invited? If no Why? If yes how would you do it?

Hell Yeah! I wouldn't say my music is prom friendly though I did play a dance party for Social Democrats once. I guess that's not the same thing. I would do it like Josie Cotton singing "Johnny Are You Queer" in Valley Girl.

What is something you wish someone told you when you were a kid?

That art and science are related to each other. Such a nerdy answer, but I lost interest in school as a teenager and now as an adult, I'm so curious about everything. I wish I paid more attention. The education system is so uninspired in this country. It makes me sad.

What does your family think of your music?

They're not involved in that part of my life which is a huge relief. I can't exactly go many places in this town without someone being like, "You're not famous enough for me to hang out with. You need to do this, this, and this other thing cause your career is shit." Gotta love New York.

Is there an album that you love that most people don’t like? Why do you love it?

Wow! Two bands I love that incite the most riots among scenesters are The Doors and Smashing Pumpkins. My Favorite Doors album is a toss-up between Strange Days and LA woman. My favorite Smashing Pumpkins record is Gish. I'm sure I'll be getting some anti-Corgan hate mail after this but honestly, what has that guy done other than love cats and write songs for Courtney Love?

What do you think will be a long term impact of COVID on the NYC music scene?

I hope it's appreciation for live music. The public is full of brats. I've worked the door at venues and there's always people complaining about cheap covers and whining about being on the guest list. I never ask for guest list. If someone offers that's a different story. I understand being broke, but most people claiming to be broke are the same people buying bags of coke in the bathroom.

What was the inspiration behind your upcoming single?

It's called Manic Pixie Dream C*nt. I wrote an anthem to myself. I needed my own version of Eye of the Tiger to get through life.

What is the most memorable thing to happen to you on the NYC subway system?

Finding a full weekly in the machine. Must've gotten stuck. Was a great week for me.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

I'm dreading the upcoming election. Dreading it.

Two Truths and A Lie Key:

Truth: I got shot in my left arm when I was in the 7th grade and now have a scar in the shape of a vagina
Truth: When I first moved to New York I got mugged by a white dude on a bicycle who got nothing of value except for my poetry journals and my Marquee Moon CD. I was so broke at the time working a minimum wage job and sleeping on my sister's couch. Dude did not win the lottery when he decided to mess w/ me.
Lie: I'm an incredible athlete. I was the captain of the women's soccer team

Shilpa Ray