In the Hindu family in which Shilpa Ray grew up in New Jersey, Western pop music was frowned upon. Nevertheless, she borrowed a Velvet Underground album from the school library - and was enchanted. So basically, it's thanks to Lou Reed and his cohorts that Brooklyn's Shilpa Ray is now considered an important member of the American independent music scene. One of her biggest fans is none other than Nick Cave, with whom she has already recorded a joint track, and with whom she has also toured. Cave's enthusiasm is likely based on the fact that Ray's music sounds dark, intense and raw. Her dark voice lays over sparse blues music, the spirit of punk always wafting along.
With the band Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers, she released her debut album on the label of legendary New York avant-garde jazz club The Knitting Factory. A few years ago, the band members changed, and since then she has performed only under her own name.
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