Shalini

Shalini wouldn't have chosen to name her band after herself, but more seasoned veterans of the industry talked her into it. Sure enough, booking agents and audiences seemed to approve, as female names for bands/singers became the status quo. She played her first show with the "'new" band name in August 1999 at the Mercury Lounge in NYC. The band took on a more professional sound, moving toward louder commercial pop/rock with the addition of drummer Eric Marshall. Parasol released the first Shalini CD, We Want Jelly Donuts, in 2000. The combo played SxSW on March 17, and completed a 2,200 mile regional tour that Fall.Meanwhile, a stylish local label popped up in Greensboro NC, headed by a young lawyer and music fan named Christina Lewis. After discovering they had much in common, Dalloway Records offered Shalini a contract in 2003 and released Metal Corner in April of 2004. These songs were used by MTV in its reality shows "Made" and "Trailer Fabulous". After Metal Corner, the band was busy for the next year playing local outdoor festivals and weekend tour dates.Then, things stalled. Dalloway became unsure of its future, so Shalini exited her contract and released her next record The Surface and the Shine in 2007 on the tiny Electric Devil label. This record was made in different stages, starting in Chicago in 2005 and finishing in NC. The band toured in the Midwest and regional South in '07 and '08. Some shows were opening for producer Mitch Easter's band (in which Shalini also played bass and, later, guitar from 2002-2009) which meant expanded bookings and travel.Then, things stalled again. The 14-year musical alliance with Easter disintegrated. Shalini started working on a new set of songs which were to become Magnetic North, recorded in Chapel Hill over an October weekend in '09. Drummer Chris Garges stepped in to guide the recording at beautiful Double Decker Bus studios. The Paisley Pop label, based in Portland, OR, released the Magnetic North EP with ongoing help from 125records.com.In 2010, Shalini decided it was time for a fresh start. She moved to Chicago that Fall and is currently working on new recordings. She plans to book as many shows as she can, and recently played in the April 2011 International Pop Overthrow festival.

• http://www.interbridge.com/shalini/