Shamir talks his hug-filled live shows: “I like to break down the weird ‘I’m an artist, watch me entertain you’ barrier”

In the new, November issue of DIY (out Friday 6th November), Shamir chats his rule-breaking approach, managing to keep one foot in the indie world while touring with pop megastars, and being as inclusive as possible - shunning the mystery cliché.

“The mystery appealed to me,” he tells Tom Connick, “but I decided to come into this as myself. I felt like no one would listen to my music if I were not completely myself.”

Thankfully, Shamir’s personality is every bit as larger-than-life as his enormous take on electronic and pop. Outspoken-yet-approachable, he’s been known to leap the barrier after his high-energy shows and spend much of the rest of the evening hugging those who stick around. “I wouldn’t be here if people didn’t like what I do—I like to show how much I appreciate it,” he explains.

“When I’m on the road its very solitary and I don’t get to see too many people outside my small crew so my fans are kind of like my friends away from home!” Shamir confides. “I also like to break down the weird “I’m an artist, watch me entertain you” barrier and just kinda make my live performances feel like a shared experience between me and the audience.”

Read the full interview in DIY’s new issue, out Friday 6th November. Pre-order a copy below.