|
It
all started with a trip to the music shop. Shirin had finally convinced
her parents that she was serious about singing - and if she was
to make any progress she at least needed some proper gear.
"We
walked into the shop and the guy came over to help us", said
Shirin. "He said sing us a song and you could see his face
- he was like here comes another pop idol with their mum and dad."
But
by the time Shirin and her parents had left the shop she had been
offered tuition and studio time. "He was amazed at the power
of my voice and wanted to see how I would work in the studio",
said Shirin.
 |
|
listen
|
 |
Like
a lot of teenagers Shirin admits to singing her heart out in her
bedroom - dreaming of chart-topping success. But this is no whim
for Shirin.
"I
have to be focused", she said. "I'm busy most weekends.
Every Sunday I go up to the studio for the whole day to do recording
work. I have to prepare on Saturdays - warming up and spending all
day practicing.
"When
I used to sing in my bedroom I found it like an escape from the
world - it's hard to explain but it's where I feel most comfortable."
Self
Belief
Shirin's parents are practicing Bahá'ís, something that she has
grown up with and embraced herself.
"I've
been brought up in a Bahai family", she said. "I
think that my singing is a blessing because I feel that God is protecting
me.
 |
| 2005
is a key year for Shirin |
"There
are laws and I do live by them. But it's hard being a teenager -
like when you go round peoples houses and there is drink there -
but my friends are really supportive.
"My
devotional music is mostly prayers put to music. I find it really
easy to relate to because I really do believe in God. I know that
it's really hard to break into the industry but I always pray and
I know that I will make it one day.... hopefully", added Shirin.
The
youngest of three daughters, Shirin has the support of a strong
family and a small team of professionals - including
renowned producer Richard Niles.
A quote
from Niles on Shirin's own website underlines her talent: "She's
certainly got a fine voice and a good ear, commercially she could
have hits tomorrow morning", he says.
It's
a very tough industry and I've had knock backs before", said
Shirin. "But having support around me helps me realise that
I can do it - as long as I have people that believe in me. I just
need to keep focused and make sure that I don't fall behind in my
school work!
The
priorities of school life are not lost of Shirin's father, John.
"At the end of 2005 she'll be approaching 15 and during that
period will be when she needs to focus on her GCSE's."
"For
me 2005 is a key year for Shirin", added John. "If she
does have a breakthrough now that would be fantastic - we'd then
have to focus on how we cope with her educational need around this
career."
|
