Diane Arkenstone

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Diane Arkenstone
Genres Ambient, New-age, World music, Celtic, Americana
Occupation(s)Singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist
Instrument(s)Guitar, keyboard, wood flutes, synthesizers, dulcimer, percussion, metal drum, kalimba, keyboard
LabelsNeo Pacifica Recordings
Website www.dianearkenstone.com

Diane Arkenstone is a New-age singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is a opera singer and plays multiple instruments including guitar, keyboard, wood flutes, dulcimer, synthesizers, percussion, metal drum, and kalimbas.

Contents

Her discography contains over 55 albums spanning a variety of genres. [1] Throughout her career, she has also collaborated creatively as part of the duo, Enaid & Einalem, and with fellow new-age musician, and ex-husband, David Arkenstone, [2] as well as producer Derek Nakamoto.

She's also released numerous projects and collaborations through her self-owned label, Neo Pacifica Recordings, including projects under the names Ah Nee Mah and Enaid, and collaborations like Earth Trybe and Marquis Ensemble.

About

Diane grew up in California on a working cattle ranch. She wrote her first song at the age of three and started playing guitar at the age of seven. [3]

Since childhood, she has endured a lifetime of medical ailments resulting from complete AV block (atrial ventricular block) in her heart. She has had multiple heart surgeries and over 30 major surgeries total. In 2004 she was an official spokesperson for the American Heart Association. [4]

Career

A singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Diane trained as an opera singer, and has enjoyed experimenting with a variety of genres throughout her career. [2]

She plays multiple instruments including guitar, keyboard, [5] wood flutes, [6] dulcimer, synthesizers, percussion, metal drum, and kalimbas.

She has sold over two million units worldwide via Neo Pacifica Recordings, the independent label she launched in the late 1990s. [7]

Her albums The Healing Heart and Avalon: Between Earth and Sky reached #1 on the Amazon New Age charts for physical product, and her songs are regularly featured on Amazon playlists including "Great New Age Music", "Spa Day", "New Age for Meditation", and many more. [8]

Arkenstone's album Jewel in the Sun debuted at number 16 on Billboard's New Age charts when it was released in 2002, and peaked at number 11. [3]

Her first album, Celtic Nights, sold over 500,000 copies and was released under her Celtic alias, Enaid, which is Diane spelled backwards and means life/soul in old Celtic/Irish. [2]

Her albums have been sold in the majority of National Parks under her Native American band name, Ah Nee Mah. [9]

Her albums have also been sold in museums and resorts across the US such as the Smithsonian, Shed Museum, Hearst Castle, and Disneyland. Her music was also used in the King Tut World Tour and played overhead in Las Vegas on Freemont Street.

Her music has been featured during the Sydney Olympics, and on networks including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, Hallmark, NBC, CBS, and Indie and PBS films, My Child, Mother’s of War, Joan of Arc, and Written on the Landscape: Mysteries Beyond Chaco Canyon.

In 2005, The Best of Diane Arkenstone was ranked No. 1 on Zone Music Reporter's Top 100 Airplay Chart, out of 2800 recordings reported that year. [10] [11]

Diane's voice is featured on the soundtrack for the 2002 game Heroes of Might and Magic IV , including the songs "A Wise Tale" and "Hope" (among many others) of the game's soundtrack. While her name is not in the credits of the game, her influence of classical music is noticeable throughout the soundtrack.

Her prolific discography and collaborations have resulted in over 55 albums spanning a variety of genres. [1]

Throughout her career she has also collaborated creatively as part of the duo, Enaid & Einalem, and with like-minded musician David Arkenstone. [2]

In addition to releasing her own music, she's released numerous projects and collaborations through her label, including projects under the names, Ah Nee Mah and Enaid, and collaborations like Earth Trybe and Marquis Ensemble.

Her most recent recordings include The Healing Heart, released in 2021, Avalon: Between Earth and Sky, with David Arkenstone, released in 2022, and World Calling, released in 2023. [12]

Her upcoming album, Aquaria II - Ascension, is set for release in 2024. It reflects humanity's evolution from the Piscean Age of water, to the Aquarian Age of air, and the shift to more awareness and nurturing energy.

Collaborations

Diane has collaborated with

Press

Diane has garnered numerous press accolades throughout her career.

Jukebox Time affirmed Diane's "authentic artistic caliber," and her "enigmatic yet scintillating contemporary vibe" on the album, Light Of Varying Energies. [13]

American Songwriter notes on her 2020 vocal track "Ions": "A sultry and slinky come hither, Arkenstone purrs and sighs to a slow, jazzy rhythm, writhing in coquettish charm." [14]

Tour

Awards and Accolades

Discography

Diane Arkenstone

AlbumRelease dateLabel
Celtic Passage2000Blue Line Music
Healing: Mind, Body, Spirit (The Wellness Series)2000NorthSound Music
The Healing Spirit2001Neo Pacifica Recordings
Aquaria: A Liquid Blue Trancescape2001Neo Pacifica Recordings
Jewel in the Sun2002Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Best of Diane Arkenstone2005Neo Pacifica Recordings
Stories2005Neo Pacifica Recordings
Christmas Healing, Vol. 12006Neo Pacifica Recordings / Prima Vista Records
Christmas Healing, Vol. 22006Neo Pacifica Recordings / Prima Vista Records
Christmas Healing, Vol. 32006Neo Pacifica Recordings / Prima Vista Records
This Sacred Land2009Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Best of David and Diane Arkenstone2010Neo Pacifica Recordings
Union Road2013Neo Pacifica Recordings
Soul Nektar2014Neo Pacifica Recordings
A Beautiful Christmas2014Neo Pacifica Recordings
Sacred Nation2014Neo Pacifica Recordings
Soul Nektar 22015Neo Pacifica Recordings
Heart of the Vineyard2018Neo Pacifica Recordings
Beyond the Golden Sea2021Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Healing Heart2021Neo Pacifica Recordings
Avalon, Between Earth and Sky2022Neo Pacifica Recordings
Cool Waters of Life2022Neo Pacifica Recordings
Light of Varying Energies, L.O.V.E.2022Neo Pacifica Recordings
Rising2023Neo Pacifica Recordings
World Calling2023Neo Pacifica Recordings
Ascension2023Neo Pacifica Recordings
Echoes of the Past Float Away2023Neo Pacifica Recordings
She Calls2023Neo Pacifica Recordings
Myth is Magic2024Neo Pacifica Recordings
Aquaria ll Ascension2024Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Glass Ceiling is Now the Sky2024Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Essential Diane Arkenstone2024Neo Pacifica Recordings
When I Fall2024Neo Pacifica Recordings
Meditation 12024Neo Pacifica Recordings
Written on the Landscape: Mysteries Beyond Chaco Canyon2024PBS Film
Turquoise Sky2025Neo Pacifica Recordings
Meditation 22025Neo Pacifica Recordings
Meditation 32025Neo Pacifica Recordings
Om Shanti2025Neo Pacifica Recordings
Dive Into Me2025Neo Pacifica Recordings
Fly Into the Wind2025Neo Pacifica Recordings
Meditations and Birdsongs2025Neo Pacifica Recordings

She has also worked with David Arkenstone on the albums Music Inspired by Middle Earth , The Celtic Book of Days and the album Trance World from Earth Trybe. With Misha Segal and Peter Hume she worked on the 3-CD collaboration Christmas Healing.

Enaid and Einalem

AlbumRelease dateLabel
Celtic Nights1996NorthSound Music
Celtic Christmas1996NorthSound Music
Celtic Romance1998NorthSound Music
Highland Christmas1998NorthSound Music
Celtic Yuletide1998NorthSound Music
Celtic Holiday1999NorthSound Music
Celtic Moon2000NorthSound Music
Celtic Journey2000NorthSound Music

Adventure Cargo

AlbumRelease dateLabel
African Skies2003Neo Pacifica Recordings
Spirits of the Rainforest2003Neo Pacifica Recordings
Echoes of Egypt2004Neo Pacifica Recordings
Following the Equator2006Neo Pacifica Recordings

Ah Nee Mah

AlbumRelease dateLabel
Ancient Voices1999Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Spirit of Mesa Verde2000Neo Pacifica Recordings
Spirit of the Canyon2001Neo Pacifica Recordings
Spirit of the Southwest (compilation)2001Neo Pacifica Recordings
The Grand Circle2002Neo Pacifica Recordings
Ancient Visions2005Neo Pacifica Recordings
Native Spirit (compilation)2009Neo Pacifica Recordings
Native Visions (compilation)2013Neo Pacifica Recordings
Sacred Nation2014Neo Pacifica Recordings
Carol of the Bells2021Neo Pacifica Recordings

Earth Trybe

AlbumRelease dateLabel
Trance World2001Neo Pacifica Recordings
Rhythm of the Earth2002Neo Pacifica Recordings

Enaid

AlbumRelease dateLabel
Avalon: A Celtic Legend2001Neo Pacifica Recordings

The Marquis Ensemble

AlbumRelease dateLabel
Reflections From the Wine Country2001Neo Pacifica Recordings

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Interview with Diane Arkenstone-a singer with a difference". May 20, 2010. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "All Music Guide" . Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Diane Arkenstone at EverSound". Archived from the original on May 13, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  4. "Diane Arkenstone Biography". Deezer.
  5. "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. November 20, 1999. Retrieved February 12, 2011.
  6. Christmas Healing, Vol. 1 (CD liner). Diane Arkenstone and Misha Segal. Neo Pacifica Recordings/Prima Vista Records. 2006.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. "AllMusic". AllMusic.
  8. "Avalon - Between Earth & Sky". Amazon. February 23, 2024.
  9. "Ah Nee Mah". last.fm.
  10. "The Society of Composers & Lyricists" . Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  11. "Zone Music Reporter Top 100 Airplay Chart for 2005" . Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  12. "Diane Arkenstone Shares New Song "Rising"". Enigma Online.
  13. "Featured: Artist Diane Arkenstone's new single "Beyond the Mist"". November 7, 2022.
  14. "Diane Arkenstone: Finding Libido Through Heart Surgery?". December 17, 2020.
  15. "One World Music Radio Award Nomination". Facebook.
  16. "OWMR Lifetime Achievement Award". One World Music Radio.
  17. "Zone Music Reporter Chart". Eversound.