BIOGRAPHY
Sarah Siddiqui is an established Toronto-based and born Independent Singer Songwriter & Producer with 27 years of diverse experience within the music industry. Her main genre of music is Alt-Folk-Pop. From time to time she branches out into Rock, World, and Electronica music. Sarah has 14 official releases to date (2 Albums/ 2 EP's/ 10 Singles) spanning from 2000 to present day. This seasoned songwriter, producer and musician has devoted herself towards her craft, and has contributed towards the Toronto Independent Music Scene since 1995, a Household name indeed. She has also showcased in major cities Berlin, NYC, LA, Philadelphia, and Canadian cities including Montreal, and Ottawa.
Born to International and critically acclaimed Canadian Pakistani Poet Laureate mother, Syeda Nuzhat Siddiqui, writing, poetry and the need to express were all encompassing and at a high throughout her childhood, and where it all comes from speaks for itself. Sarah is also the fraternal twin sister of critically acclaimed Mixed Media Artist Zahra Siddiqui.
Sarah's first ever live show gig was at the tender age of 15 at a restaurant on the Danforth in the year 1995, with guitarist Juan Dino Toledo (Santerias Band), starting off with a South American/World/Folk acoustic vibe. During her teen years after school she sang backup for many local indie rock bands as well, performing at just about every Toronto venue including the Opera House at the age of 17. At the age of 18 in 1998, Sarah acquired an Artist Development Agreement with EMI Publishing Canada, but soon after decided to journey on her own path. She has been taking devoted followers from near and far on a soulful journey from Toronto, and online all the way to South Asia and Europe.
Her voice has been described as stunning, and angelic. Her songs and lyrical talent have been described as poetic, haunting, and beautiful. The powerful lyrical visuals Sarah creates through her songs reflect back like dreamy cinematic paintings. She was privately trained on classical voice by Royal Conservatory teacher Ms. Cheryl Lake, during her teen years 1996-1999. She was also privately trained on voice by Bill Vincent Voice & Company from 2000-2003. In addition Sarah Siddiqui started playing guitar self-taught in 1995, and received private guitar lessons from Davidson Yeager Music between 2002-2005. Since elementary school and all throughout high school, Sarah was cast for many solos in choirs, and musical theatre productions, heavily involved in music since day one. She always knew music was going to be her major purpose in life, humming away since she was a baby.
Her last album released in 2018 "No More Waiting Rooms" was self-produced, and received funding by the prestigious Toronto Arts Council Recording Grant Program. The album features musical heavy weights Tony Rabalao, Kevin Fox, Tim Bovaconti, Don Kerr, and Cris Derksen (Juno Nominated Artist). In 2019 Sarah was a "Featured Artist" for Indie Week Canada, as well as Folk Music Ontario. Sarah has played live in just about every venue in the city including Horseshoe Tavern, Rivoli, Cameron House, The Painted Lady, and the legendary Hugh's Room, to name a few.
Over the span of Sarah's musical journey she has had the opportunities to share the stage with many notable talented musicians and Singer Songwriters including local and international artists, Shaye (Kim Stockwood, Dahmnait Doyle, Tara McLean), Dayna Manning, Tim Bovaconti, Chris Birkett, Digging Roots, Cecile Doo-Kingue & Quiqe Escamilla (FMO Conference 2019), David Celia, Arthur Renwick, Elana Harte, Bob Cohen, Sean Pinchin, Tony Rabalao, Don Ross, Rhitom Sarkar, Christien Paul, Taima (Juno Award Winners), Chris Brown & Kate Fenner, Don Stevenson, Sandra Bouza, Derek Downham, Dawn Langstroth, Juan Dino Toledo (Santerias Band), and many more. Her studio collaboration credits include Jesse Cook, Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene), Michael Oesch (Indo Canadian Slide Project), and "Doc" McKinney (Esthero, The Weeknd, Drake).
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DISCOGRAPHY
New EP "Show Me" (2022)
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/album/show-me
New Single "Emerald Sea" (2022)
Sarah Siddiqui & The Indo Canadian Slide Project
Lyrics by Sarah Siddiqui
&
Syeda Nuzhat Siddiqui, Acclaimed Poet Laureate
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/emerald-sea
2020- Single Release "Broken Movie"
By Sarah Siddiqui & This Boy Electric
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/broken-movie
2018~ Album Release "No More Waiting Rooms"
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
Funded by the Toronto Arts Council Recording Grant Program
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/album/no-more-waiting-rooms
2018~ Single Release (Cover Song) "So Far Away"
Sarah Siddiqui & Anevo
(Available on all music platforms)
https://open.spotify.com/album/3beCvkQ9GACMpohqwz89F1
2016~ Single Release (Cover Song) "This Woman's Work"
Easy Song Licensing
(Available on all music platforms)
https://open.spotify.com/track/3lZvEoGcti3UdNAY4FOR1w
2017~ Single Release "My Hands Are Tied"
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
Funded by the Toronto Arts Council Recording Grant Program
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/my-hands-are-tied-2
2017~ Single Release "I Like it"
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
Funded by the Toronto Arts Council Recording Grant Program
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/i-like-it
2013~ Single Release (Cover Song) "Why" Easy Song Licensing (Available on all music platforms) https://music.apple.com/ng/album/why-single/1071578329
2013~ Single Release "Lost in My Grief (Remix)"
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/lost-in-my-grief-remix
2013~ Single Release "Hospital Room"
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/hospital-room-2
2013~ Live EP Release "Live at The Central, 2013"
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-central-2013
2005~Album Release "Rosewater Songs"
Written & Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/album/rosewater-songs
2000~ Single Release "Conversation (Strayed)"
Written by Sarah Siddiqui & Juan Dino Toledo
Guitarist- Juan Dino Toledo (Santerias Band)
Produced by Sarah Siddiqui
Engineered & Mixed by David Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle Weaves)
(Available on all music platforms)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/conversation
FILM~TV~COMPILATION SONG PLACEMENTS
2021~ Song "Broken" (Written by S. Siddiqui & This Boy Electric) film placement (Broken Movie)
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/broken-movie
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1207641/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzTvGKLbVNA
2018~ Song placement "My Hands Are Tied" (No More Waiting Rooms), various artists release by "At Sea Compilations", Chemnitz, Germany https://atseacompilations.bandcamp.com/album/authentic
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/my-hands-are-tied-2
2015~ Song "I Like It" placed on "International Pop Overthrow: Volume 18" Compilation CD https://theseconddisc.com/2015/12/18/review-international-pop-overthrow-volume-18/
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/i-like-it
2005~ Song placement "Show Me", "M!M!M! 5 Explosive Years Compilation", EMI/ Awesome Records
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/album/rosewater-songs
2003~ Song "Conversation" (written by S. Siddiqui & M. Turcotte) TV Movie song placement "Word of Honor", starring Don Johnson, and Jeanne Tripplehorn. The film continues to air in over 50 countries. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369059/
2002~ Song "Conversation" (written by S. Siddiqui & M. Turcotte), Feature Film song placement, "Triggermen", Directed by Donnie Wahlberg and starring Claire Forlani https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283077/
ALBUM GUEST APPEARANCES
2019~ Featured vocalist "Indo Canadian Slide Project, Delta Raga" album (track title "Mystic Shadows") Produced by Michael Oesch and recorded in Waterford, ON. The album features Hindustani Slide Guitarist, Rhitom Sarkar, and many Canadian heavy weights Sean Pinchin, Don Ross, David West, Dan Walsh, Guy Westbrook, Sanesh Chattlani to name a few.
https://wallofsound.ca/musicreviews/new-music-review-delta-raga-by-the-indo-canadian-slide-project/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5iQpOh1cEleykeMXVfeMkq
2016~Featured vocalist "Wait For..." Dream Trance Invasion (Single Release)
https://open.spotify.com/album/5ohuJm5YpX89f8JVtgHV7M
2007~ Guest vocalist (track title"The Last Film"), Chikita Violenta "Stars and Suns Sessions" album (EMI/Noiselab/Arts&Crafts), Produced by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, Apostle of Hustle, Weaves), and recorded in Toronto, ON at the Stars & Suns Recording Studio. The album also features Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, and Justin Peroff. Chikita Violenta is a Mexican Indie Rock band.
https://soundcloud.com/chikitaviolenta-music/sets/the-stars-and-suns-sessions
SHOWCASES & ACHIEVEMENTS
2002-Present~Full Member of ACTRA Toronto (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists)
2019~ Featured Indie Week Toronto Artist, Live @Alchemy Food & Drink (w/ Chris Birkett on guitar), & Freetimes Cafe
2 x Featured "Artist of The Day"
https://www.indieweek.com/2019-artists/
2019~Featured Guest Interview "Everyone's Got a Thing With Marty"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWTnpPW1CQ
2019~ Featured Folk Music Ontario Conference Artist ("Chick Pickin' Mondays" & "Toronto Musicians Association" Showcases), HIlton Toronto Airport & Hotel Suities, Toronto, ON http://www.folkmusicontario.ca/news/2017-2018-fmo-conference-dates/
2019~ Featured performer, "Indo Canadian Slide Project Album Release", Hugh's Room, Toronto https://wallofsound.ca/musicreviews/concerts/indo-canadian-slide-project-upcoming-tour-dates/
2018~ Featured Indie Week Toronto Artist, Live @The Night Owl & Free Times Cafe
https://thereviewsarein.com/2018/08/23/indie-week-canada-2018-artist-announcement-1/
2018~ Featured Artist "M Factor Indie Music Showcase" Hosted by Elana Harte, Linsmore Tavern, Toronto, ON
https://www.facebook.com/pg/MFactorIndieMusicShowcase/posts/
2018~ Featured Artist "ABC Songwriters' Circle" w/ Elana Harte, Sandra Bouza, Don Stevenson, Amsterdam Bicycle Club, Toronto https://felixandthecats.com/abc-songwriters-circle/
2018~ Featured Vocalist "So Far Away" by Anevo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJZiZ_QO2IQ
https://open.spotify.com/album/3beCvkQ9GACMpohqwz89F1
2015~ Featured Artist "International Pop Overthrow" Music Festival, The Tennessee Bar, Toronto
www.internationalpopoverthrow.com
2015~ Toronto Arts Council Album Recording Grant Program Recipient
2013~ Cover Song Single Release "Why"
https://sarahsiddiqui1.bandcamp.com/track/why-3
2013~ Opening Act for "NYC Annual Singer Songwriter Series" @ The Bitter End, 147 Bleecker St, New York, NY (The night featured star studded guests in attendance including Billy Joel)
2005 ~ Featured performer w/ Dayna Manning, Jean O'Brien opening for "Shaye" (Kim Stockwood, Tara MacLean, Damhnait Doyle), The Underground, York University
2003~ Live show w/ Dawn Langstroth, Mitzi's Sister aka Tennessee Tavern (now closed)
2002~ Cast as "Guitarist", special skills role in the Danny DeVito directed feature film, "Death to Smoochy" starring Edward Norton, Danny DeVito, Robin Williams, Catherine Keener, and Jon Stewart. Closed cast filming at the CBC Studios in Toronto.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266452/
1999~ Studio collaboration w/"Doc" McKiinney (Esthero, The Weeknd, Drake)
1998~ Studio collaboration w/ Jesse Cook, Toronto, ON www.jessecook.com
1998~ Featured performer with "Loveson" (UK rock band)
CHIN Picnic, Toronto, ON
1997~Featured performer with "Loveson" (UK rock band)
The Opera House, Toronto, ON
1997~ Live show w/ Lester Frost on sitar, and Juan Dino Toledo (https://www.santeriasband.com/ ) on guitar, Gate 403, Toronto, ON
1997~ Live show w/ Juan Dino Toledo (Santerias Band), Bohemian Cafe, Toronto, ON
PRESS ~REVIEWS ~ INTERVIEWS
2022~ Canadian Beats Review
https://canadianbeats.ca/2022/06/06/sarah-siddiqui-shares-on-her-new-ep-show-me/
2022~ Featured Folk Music Ontario "Member Release"(Show Me-EP)
(FMO Official Website)
https://www.folkmusicontario.ca/news/member-release-sarah-siddiqui/
2022~ Featured Folk Music Ontario "Member Release" (Show Me-EP)
(FMO FB Page)
https://www.facebook.com/FolkMusicOntario/photos/2077720709075527
2022~ Featured Folk Music Ontario "Member Release" (Show Me-EP)
(FMO Instagram Page)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeOvaytAOZY/
2019~Featured Guest Interview "Everyone's Got a Thing With Marty"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HWTnpPW1CQ
2019~ Review "Indo Canadian Slide Project Album Release", Hugh's Room, Toronto https://wallofsound.ca/musicreviews/concerts/indo-canadian-slide-project-upcoming-tour-dates/
2018~ Canadian Beats Review
https://canadianbeats.ca/2018/12/18/review-sarah-siddiqui/
2019~ 2 X Indie Week "Artist of the Day"
https://www.indieweek.com/2019-artists/
2019~ See Rock Live interview (Indie Week)
2019~http://justshows.com/toronto/2019/04/10/carrie-martin/38899/
2018~ Canadian Beats Review
https://canadianbeats.ca/2018/12/18/review-sarah-siddiqui/
2018~ https://felixandthecats.com/abc-songwriters-circle/abc-songwriters-circle-bios/
2015~https://internationalpopoverthrow.com/artists/ipo-2015-artists/ipo-los-angeles-2015/
FILM & TV
(2002-Present) Full Member of ACTRA Toronto (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists)
(2019) "Kim's Convenience" TV Series, feature non-speaking part
(2015) "Odd Squad 2" TV Series, Special Skills Guitarist Role
(2014) "The Expanse" TV Series, Photo Cast as wife of "Alex" played by Cas Anvar https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3230854/
(2002-2012) Union Commercials, Non-Speaking~ Dr. Pepper/ Toyota/Bell Mobility/McDonald's/Progressive Insurance/Kellog's/ Boston Pizza
(2002) Cast as "Guitarist", (Special Skills Gutiarist Role) in the Danny DeVito directed feature film, "Death to Smoochy" starring Edward Norton, Danny DeVito, Robin Williams, Catherine Keener, and Jon Stewart. Closed cast filming at the CBC Studios in Toronto.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266452/
(2001) Jingle "Heritage Canada" Union Commercial
____________________
Non-Speaking Features & Special Skill Guitarist Roles
Canadian ACTRA Union TV/Film (Canadian/U.S.) Productions:
(2016-2021)
Pheonix/Kim's Convenience/ Utiopia Falls/Frankie Drake/Up in The Air/Grand Army (NetFlix Series)/Titan's Season 2/ HandMaid's Tale/Playing Dead/Killjoy's Season 5/Umbrella Academy I / American God's (Waitress)/V-Wars Season 1/In The Dark/Hot Zone/ Suit's Season7& 8/Distrupt The Ordinary/ In Contempt/ Taken 2/Angry Angel/Imposters 2/Starter/Baroness Von Sketch/Next Step/Anthem/Parents/No Buts/Condor Season 1/Girlfriend Experience/You Earned It/Private Eyes/Perfect Citizen/Home For The Holiday/Little Italy/Dino Dana 2
(2011-2015)
Special Correspondent/Shadow Hunters/Beauty and the Beast TV Series/Odd Suqad 2/Saving Hope Season 5/Carry/The Wonderful Wayney/Goodwitch/Incorporated/Feathers/Shoot The Messenger/The Group/Get Ready/Man Seeking Woman Season 2/The Group/Rick Mercer Report 1/Poppy/The Code/V Morgan is Dead/Cheese The Moment/Rogue Season 3/The Girlfriend Experience/Get Ready/Minority Report/Damien/Cheerleader Death Squad/Bravo 14/Heroes Reborn/Suit's Season 5/Shitt's Creek/The Music Room/Get Ready/My Big Fat Greek Wedding/Sensitive Skin II/The Strain/The Listener/Rookie Blue Season 5/Cut Out/Clementine/Agatha/Man Seeking Woman/12 Monkeys/Single Ladies/Social Nibbler/Saving Hope Season 3/The Stanley Dynamic/Phone in Hand/Pulse/Shared Glory/Thursday Night
(2002-2010)
The Farm/Doc Season 2/Secret Service/Queer As Folk/Odyssey 5: Season 1/Covert Affairs/Degrassi: The Next Gen/Being Erica II/The Ron James Show/Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures: Stories/Flash Point Season II/How To Be Indie/Majority Rules/Dan For Mayor/Copper/Addict China/There's No Place Like Home/Unwrapper/Excuses/The Tower/Heaven On Earth/OSSTF Twilight Zone/The Love Guru/The Summit/Who Named The Knife/Cry of the Owl/Four Minutes/Murder in the Hamptons/Lucky Number Slevin/Instant Star: Cycle 2/Doc Season 5/Cake/The Perfect Man/Wild Card/That Touch of Pink/My Baby's Mama/Honey/ Fool Proof/The Monk/Sue Thomas F.B.I./How to Deal/The Ultimate Adventure/Bad Dog/Witchblade Season 2/Degrassi Season 2