Shane Beales is a British singer-songwriter and musician from the United Kingdom, born in 1982 in Nottingham. He spends part of his childhood in Perth before returning to Nottingham, where he also learns gymnastics. He writes his first song at the age of eight and receives his first drum kit for his 12th birthday.

Early musical development

As a teenager, Beales attends high school in Melbourne, where music becomes his main subject of interest. He studies drums and percussion and also begins writing and performing his own songs on piano. In 1999, he moves to Colchester to study A levels in music, music technology and philosophy. During this period he lives with his grandmother in the countryside and writes songs on her piano while his drums are shipped over separately.

Bands and recordings

At college, Beales forms his first band, Magic Joe, with musical friends. The group plays a local heat of the Essex County Bands Competition, wins the contest and records the CD OneEightSixNineNine as its prize. He later studies music at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, where Baby Ingrid forms from the remains of Magic Joe. With Baby Ingrid, he records the EP Stand Sit Lie, which sells out quickly, and begins work on the band’s first album.

While that album is still being completed, Beales releases his first solo project, the EP Beautiful. Baby Ingrid’s album I’ll Repair Your Mistakes is released in 2005.

Solo work and later collaborations

After university, Beales remains in Liverpool for a year and writes, records and releases a new song every week in a project called Project 52. He forms a new band to perform the songs live and later spends time in London recording demos with the group. His next release is the EP Heavy Clouds, which he creates with guitarist and songwriter Stu G at Stu G’s place on the south coast. The EP first appears digitally and later in a limited physical CD edition.

In 2010, Beales relocates to London and works with AWAL, releasing both Heavy Clouds and the single Battleship. He also releases A New Year as a download and video and collaborates with Egyptian singer Nadya Shanab on It’s All About The People, a song inspired by events in the Middle East and North Africa.

Recognition and influences

Beales says that, during university, his music draws praise from Guy Chambers, who comments that he wishes he had written one of the songs, and Paul McCartney, who asks whether a song is about a girl. His background includes breakdancing in early childhood, gymnastics, drum and percussion study, and songwriting on piano, all of which contribute to his work as a multi-instrumental songwriter.