L. Shankar’s latest star-studded pop-rock album, Answers, is a collection of undeniably replay-worthy tracks that lead listeners through life’s biggest questions and truths. Released by SRI MUSIC INC, each song reflects a different facet of the human experience—from searching for meaning to rediscovering strength and innocence. The record comes to life through an extraordinary lineup of musicians, including legendary bassist Tony Levin, guitarist Josh Lopez, keyboardists Dave Palmer, Zac Baird, and Dileep, along with powerhouse drummers Stephen Perkins and Scott Seiver, guest vocalist Juliett Rose, and percussionist Jeff Gross. With heartfelt songwriting and world-class musicianship, Answers is crafted to be experienced as a complete album from beginning to end, with music that lingers long after it ends. The album will be released worldwide on all major streaming platforms on October 17, 2025.
From a musical standpoint, Answers is shaped by a core group of progressive rock musicians—some of whom Shankar has worked with over 35 years ago. Their depth, emotion, and range allowed him to write songs that explore different moods and messages while showcasing their incredible talents.
The album Answers is a journey, with each track reflecting an experience we all face in life. It opens with “Answers,” a reminder that the truths we spend so much time searching for are often already within us. From there, “Lot of Things” confronts the lies we’ve been told—about ourselves, about life, or whispered behind our backs—something most people can relate to. Then comes “Innocent,” reminding us that we’re all born pure, but as we grow up, the world and the people around us influence us—but that innocence is still somewhere inside. “Heaven & Earth” is one I wrote years ago, after the 2004 tsunami—it’s a tribute to the lives lost and how small we are compared to the forces of nature. “Power Within” is about realizing we already have strength inside us—we just need to tap into it to reach our full potential. “For You” is a softer ballad, reminding us to appreciate the ones we love, whether it's a special person, a friend, or even a pet. “To Live” asks the question—if today was your last day, what would you do? It’s a reminder to live with love and intention, because life is precious. “Calm Down” is about staying grounded even when things around you feel out of control. Life throws a lot of curve balls at us, but we have to keep our peace and not let it break us. The album closes with “Thinking,” dedicated to the special people who live in our hearts, even if they’re not with us. Taken as a whole, Answers move from confusion and outside noise to clarity and self-awareness—a complete cycle, from questions to answers.
Says Shankar, “This album is not just about my personal journey—it's something many can relate to. I mentor a lot of people, and I often hear about their struggles and challenges. Answers reflect those shared experiences and offer resilience, perspective, and hope. It's about how we move forward, how we rise, and how we ultimately find the answers within ourselves.”
L. Shankar describes the recording process for Answers: “The songwriting for Answers came very naturally—it's something I can do anywhere. Whether I'm on a plane, stuck in traffic, walking, or just watching birds fly across the sky, inspiration can strike at any moment. For me, it's a discipline more than a process. I wrote these songs across different parts of the world—Los Angeles, Malaysia, and Goa, India—and once I had the core ideas, I’d lay down the basic structure: the chords, the rough vocals, and a reference beat. I’m a drummer at heart, so rhythm is a big part of how I write. I usually start with the beat, which guides the syncopation and feel of the track.
“After building the foundation for this album, I let the musicians record their parts remotely in their own studios after explaining the feel for it. They’d send me their recordings, and if I needed to adjust or change anything, I’d send it back. It was a back-and-forth that allowed a lot of creative freedom while keeping the vision clear.
“I was fortunate to work with some incredible talent. Tony Levin played on every track—he’s a legendary bassist and someone I’ve worked with on Peter Gabriel’s tours, his solo projects, and my previous solo works. I’d send him the full arrangement, and he’d send back these beautifully nuanced bass lines that always elevate the track. On drums, I brought in Stephen Perkins ( Jane’s Addiction )—an amazing drummer with a great feel, one of the finest in rock. Josh Lopez ( Black Eyed Peas ), an incredible guitarist from Los Angeles, also played on Chepleeri Dream, and I knew I had to bring him back. He also helped connect me with more players for this album.
“I ended up using three keyboardists. Besides Dileep, my long-time excellent keyboardist and engineer, I brought in Zac Baird, who I first met when we toured with Jonathan Davis’s solo band around 2006–2007. Zac was also in my band opening up for Jonathan Davis. He played on three tracks before heading out on tour with Beyoncé. After that, Dave Palmer stepped in—another fantastic keyboardist based in L.A., and a friend of Josh’s. Dave played on six or seven tracks and brought his own sensitivity and feel to the music.
“Drums were also handled by Scott Seiver, another incredible musician. I’d send him the tracks along with reference beats, and he would build from there. Because I write to the beat, I always make sure the groove is strong—it sets the tone for everything.
“Once all the parts were recorded, I tracked my final vocals and double violin in my studio in Malaysia. The album was then mixed and mastered in Los Angeles by the incredibly talented Jeff Gross, an award-winning engineer who really brought everything together with clarity and depth. Jeff has worked with me on the last 6 albums.
“This is a special album from my heart—it's filled with songs that deal with a range of emotions and experiences people can truly relate to. In times like these, where the world feels uncertain and heavy with conflict, I feel like music like this can uplift, inspire and unite people. I’m really thrilled and proud of Answers—it’s honest, emotional, and deeply meaningful to me.”
Performers:
Lead Vocals, Harmony, Double Violin, Keyboards: L. Shankar
Vocals: Juliett Rose
Bass: Tony Levin
Guitars: Josh Lopez
Keys: Dave Palmer, Zac Baird, Dileep
Drums: Stephen Perkins, Scott Seiver
Percussion: Jeff Gross
Tracks:
1.ANSWERS
2. LOT OF THINGS
3. INNOCENT
4. HEAVEN & EARTH
5. POWER WITHIN
6. FOR YOU
7. TO LIVE
8. CALM DOWN
9. THINKING
“My friend Shenkar is a legendary musician. An extraordinary vocalist, violinist and composer. I always had a great time working with him on Queen of the Damned, my 2 solo albums, my solo world tours and his solo albums." - Jonathan Davis (Korn)
“My friend Shankar is an exceptional musician, and it’s been a pleasure to work with him both on his own music and Peter Gabriel’s.” - Tony Levin
“Working with L. Shankar has been a great experience. His compositions are very enjoyable to play, and his arrangements are always very interesting. I am very grateful and humbled to be part of this.” - Chester Thompson
"L.Shankar, an acclaimed virtuoso violinist, singer, composer and producer who has sold over ten million albums, is a musical pioneer. He embraces with equal ease three idioms of music: Indian classical, world music and pop/rock" - Hinduism Today
"Grandmaster vocalist and violinist, L. Shankar...considered a living legend, has awed and delighted audiences all over the world live and with his albums" - Celebrity Zones
"Shankar’s music is rich & melodic..." SPIN Magazine
"Two Shankars, one Ravi Shankar and one L.Shankar are probably the best known Indian names in world music. One familiarised the Hindustani sitar, the other took Carnatic raga music through his double violin and voice to every known idiom from classical, to rock and roll, to jazz to EDM creating music that defies definition." — Times of India
"His solo albums have always drawn not only enormous interest from fans and critics alike but also showcase the collaborative spirit that is integral to Shankar’s art." - All About Jazz
"In Shankar we encounter extraordinary virtuosity, brilliance of tone, and a fiery radiance of spirit." - Raves the Record Review
L. Shankar (aka Shenkar) is widely celebrated as a musical genius and legend by his peers, who hold him in the highest esteem. A child prodigy and virtuoso, he is regarded as one of the pioneers of East-West music, enthralling audiences and critics alike all over the world. As an international touring artist with a career spanning decades, Shankar has sold over 100 million albums and achieved international acclaim through his award-winning solo projects and collaborations with legendary artists including Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Michael Jackson, Madonna and numerous esteemed musicians worldwide. Since 1980, Shankar has been using his invention - a 10-string stereophonic double violin—known as the LSD (L. Shankar Double violin)—which he designed to cover the full range of the orchestral string family. His innovative and complex pallavis, featuring unique rhythmic cycles, that he popularized over decades through his critically acclaimed solo albums on ECM Records, have now been adopted by others.
In addition to his classical work, Shankar has released globally acclaimed pop, rock, and EDM albums, and worked on numerous soundtracks for award-winning films, documentaries, and TV series—including The Last Temptation of Christ, The Passion of the Christ, and the hit TV series Heroes. He has released 28 solo albums, the latest being Full Moon and Over the Stars, both released in 2024.
Shankar currently resides in Los Angeles, Malaysia and Goa, India in between tours.
L. Shankar also has an extensive tour schedule — he will be touring India from November to February, followed by tours in the United States, Europe, Australia. Says Shankar, “In between tours, I travel with a mobile studio, so I’m able to record wherever I am — I’m constantly on the move, creating and recording.”
In closing, L. Shankar has this to impart: “I want listeners to free their minds—don’t come in with any preconceived ideas. This album is like a story, and I see myself as the director, guiding the flow of emotion and experience. It continues in the same spirit as my previous album Chepleeri Dream, but Answers goes even deeper and further exploring a wider range of emotions and life situations. The lyrics play a big part in that. I always encourage people to read or follow the lyrics as they listen, because they help you connect with what I was feeling when I wrote the songs. That said, I know everyone will interpret the music in their own way—and that’s a beautiful thing. These songs are like life lessons, and I hope they resonate with whatever journey you're on.”
For more information:
Website: www.lshankar.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LShenkar/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshenkar/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lshankarofficial?feature=shared
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5X75aYCKG5hS5yONW4IPRr
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheShenkar/
Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com
