Seela Misra

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Seela Misra
Birth nameSeela Misra
Also known asSeela
BornCornwall, Ontario, Canada
Genres Folk, jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, bass, vocals
Years active1994–present
LabelsNew Improved Music
Associated acts Matt the Electrician, TOrcH, The Jazz Pharahos
Website iamseela.com

Seela Misra is a Canadian-born [1] singer-songwriter residing in Austin, Texas. She was the lead singer of the jazz band TOrcH and is also the back-up singer for Matt the Electrician. Seela is known for an expressive vocal range, "one moment she rasps like a Jersey deli queen, the next she's cooing coquettishly." [2] This is evident in her solo work and when delivering jazz standards with the Jazz Pharaohs [3] or with TOrcH where she has been credited with "unswerving hipness" succeeding where others have failed "in melding her own style with those from the past." [4]

Contents

Seela's initial foray into recording, Probably Lucy (1994) conveyed "a spare sultriness," [2] and was called "a languid acoustic romp through the varied terrain of the poetic heart," [5] quickly selling out its first pressing. "Dark and atmospheric," [2] her follow-up album, Something Happened (1999), received criticism for inconsistent songwriting; "the head lady has not found quite enough songs to fill 56 minutes," [6] while simultaneously admitting "what her songwriting lacks in answers, it makes up for in mood." [2]

Indeed, depth of mood and emotion, thus far, has defined her career and stage presence: "Her stare is direct, like Krishna contemplating Radha," [2] while her "voice is her main calling card, soft and inviting, belying the darkness in her songs." [7] "Sonically compelling," [6] Seela is sought out in the Austin music scene, adding vocals to albums across a wide range of genres, while complimenting numerous artists on stage. Seela released her fourth studio album, Valentine in 2013. [8]

Performed with

Sean Hayes, Ian McLagan, Craig Ross, Tom Freund, Stanley Smith, Freedy Johnston, Ephraim Owens, Eric Beverly, Whammo, Jon Greene.

Discography

Solo

with TOrcH

See also

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References

  1. "iamseela.com,” official website.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Raoul Hernandez, " Seela, Something Happened," Austin Chronicle March 3, 2000.
  3. Jay Trachtenberg, "Old Man Time, Lament, One," Austin Chronicle April 23, 2004.
  4. Michael Pronko, " Concert Previews, LIVE Torch," Japan Times May 8, 2005.
  5. " Something's Cooking, Definitely Seela," Austin Chronicle July 12, 1996.
  6. 1 2 Raoul Hernandez, " Something Happened review," Austin Chronicle December 3, 1999.
  7. Jim Caligiuri, " Hard Times Hit review," Austin Chronicle February 27, 2004.
  8. Chaiti Sen, "Now For Something Completely Different," Jaggery Lit November 20, 2013.