She was born with an illness in which the esophagus narrows as it approaches the stomach, requiring much surgery. Resulting operations left her with large scars on her shoulder blades, said to give the impression that an angel's wings had been removed.

In her teens, Shiina worked as a pizza girl and joined several local bands. Her début single 「幸福論」(Koufukuron - Theory of Happiness) was released in May 1998. Her first album 「無罪モラトリアム」(Muzai Moratorium) was released in February 1999.

In 2004, after releasing three solo albums and a two-disc cover album, Shiina Ringo formed the band 東京事変. (Tokyo Jihen - or Tokyo Incidents), which mixes styles of jazz and rock in its songs. Their first album 「教育」(Kyouiku) was released in late 2004 and their second, 「大人」(ADULT), in January 2006.

In late 2006, however, she returned to solo work as the Music Director for the film 「さくらん」(Sakuran). A new single entitled 「この世の限り」(Kono Yo No Kagiri) was released on January 17, 2007 and an album called 「平成風俗」 (Heisei Fuuzoku) followed on February 21. The violinist Saitou Neko is co-credited on both works.

She had mentioned that Tokyo Jihen is not over and that they will resume activities after she had finished with the plans on her new album and after promoting Sakuran, which was released in Japanese cinemas shortly after the album.

In 2008, Shiina Ringo released a double-album, a collection of her b-sides throughout her solo career, to commemorate her ten-year anniversary of releasing her first cd.

1998-2007 Discography

Singles

幸福論 (Koufukuron)（1998）

歌舞伎町の女王 （1998）

ここでキスして。 (Koko de kisu shite)（1999）

本能 （1999）

幸福論（1999）

ギブス (Gibs)（2000）

罪と罰 （2000）

真夜中は純潔 （2001）

絶頂集 （2000）

茎（STEM）～大名遊ビ編～ （2003）

りんごのうた (Ringo no Uta)（2003）

この世の限り (Kono Yo no Kagiri) (2007） (With Saitou Neko and her brother Shiina Junpei)

Albums

無罪モラトリアム (Muzai Moratorium) (1999)

勝訴ストリップ (Shouso Strip)（2000)

加爾基 精液 栗ノ花（Karuki Za-men Kuri no Hana）（2003)

平成風俗 (Heisei Fuuzoku) (2007)

私と放電(Watashi to Houden) (2008)

Covers Album

唄ひ手冥利～其ノ壱～ (Utaitemyori Sonoichi)（2002）

Her official Japanese website is at http://www.toshiba-emi.co.jp/vmc/artist/domestic/ringo/ but both http://www.ether-sea.com/ringo/ and http://www.everlasting-dream.net/ringo/ are good for English information.