She Defines Soul.Substance.Style (No. 006): Shingai Shoniwa

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Written By: MIM!—Shingai Elizabeth Maria Shoniwa is an English singer of Zimbabwean descent, best known as 1/3 of UK indie rock band Noisettes. Her first name, Shingai means "persevere" in Shona, which is fitting for the vocalist and bassist who was raised by her single mother who emigrated from then Rhodesia, in a South London public-housing estate. The experience, Shoniwa says, informs her music. “Wanting to escape from reality can inspire the greatest and most trivial creative natures in people,” and “I think escapism is something that connects all of us. Everybody has their own little soundtrack, and I guess I’m trying to make my own soundtrack to my escape plan. I want people to realize that there’s so much more.” Learn more about this woman of Soul.Substance.Style at the official Noisettes site: www.noisettes.co.uk.