Sheltana
About Sheltana from Auckland
THEY SAY THE BEST
THINGS COME IN SMALL PACKAGES!
This is certainly true of
Denise Ward, petite yet powerful lead singer of West Auckland band
Sheltanã, who release their
debut album “Love is at Home”, this month. Hard to box into one
genre,their highly original sound is Funky World Pop-Rock with a
sprinkle of Celtic Roots, courtesy of the Uilleann pipes. (Irish
bagpipes). This fully homegrown album was conceived, recorded and
will be ultimately celebrated in the West, with the CD launch at 'The
Flax Cafe', Henderson Valley Rd, Waitakere,on Friday December 4th
2009. (Doors open at 7pm,music starts at 8pm with guest support
artist Charlotte Johansen, $5 on the door).
Sheltanã,
(named after 'Shelta', the language of Gypsy Travellers, born of
Irish Gaelic) evolved in 2005, from the meeting of evocative
singer/song writer Denise with multi instrumentalist, Richard
Ingamells and Simon Guppy, Uilleann Pipe funkster. They were later
joined by Yair Katz, adding his exotic percussive rhythms and then
John Postlethwaite whose dirty bass completed the line up.
Denise has performed
extensively in NZ, one highlight being chosen by Tom Bailey (of the
Thompson Twins) to sing at the Auckland GE Free march, who described
her singing as “effortless,almost lazy, like a female John Martyn”.
She is a compelling performer, with a stunning vocal range,
displayed on the album on tracks such as “Wake up”, with a rock
almost grunge quality to the sweet, honey feel of “Tu eres Mi
Amor”.
Richard is best known for
his flute wizardry, releasing two previous classical albums, and
along with Simon,toured throughout Europe in the early 90's with UK
based folk/fusion band “Rites of Man” releasing 3 albums. Both
are adept at playing numerous instruments, Rich's repertoire
including guitar, flute, bazouki, mandolin, keyboards and Simon's
double bass, guitar and bass guitar and of course the unmistakable
Uilleann Pipes.
Yair Katz is renowned for
his middle eastern percussion, as well as being a marvel on the kit.
He has played many NZ festivals including Womad, with numerous bands,
Dan Sperber, Bravura and the Mamaku Project to name a few. Last but
by no means least, John Postlethwaite, who has also toured
extensively in NZ with singer/songwriter Charlotte Johansen, and
whose sultry bass playing turned the band on it's head,and got us out
of the folk pit and into the fire of rock!
“Love is at Home” is an album that not only journey's through an
array of genres from World funk fusion to Celtic dub/rock, but also
into the depth's of the human heart, and it's complex emotions. There
is an optimism which permeates throughout, and if there is any
message that filters through it is a reflection of Denise's attitude
towards life, which is to live it to the fullest.
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