Alela Diane
Encyclopedia
Alela Diane Menig is an American singer and songwriter living in Portland, Oregon.
. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.
The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.
A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.
Alela Diane has toured in the USA both solo and with Tom Brosseau
. She had opened for Iron & Wine
, Akron/Family
, The Decemberists
, and Vashti Bunyan
. She performed in the UK in April and August 2007. While in the UK in August 2007 she performed at the Green Man Festival in Wales. She also toured extensively in Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) in March, April and May 2008.
She lent her voice to an album of cover versions, The Silence of Love by Headless Heroes, released in November 2008, recorded by Eddie Bezalel and Hugo Nicholson with musicians Josh Klinghoffer, Joey Waronker, Gus Seyffert, Leo Abrahams
and Woody Jackson.
Her second album, To Be Still, was released in February 2009. In early 2009 she toured the USA opening for Blitzen Trapper
, and spent the better part of that year touring Europe.
Her third album, Alela Diane & Wild Divine was released in early April 2011. Since the release, she and her band, Wild Divine, which includes her father, Tom Menig, and husband, Tom Bevitori have done tours of both the USA and Europe. In July 2011, they opened for the Fleet Foxes
on a string of USA dates.
She now lives in Portland, Oregon
, with her husband and cat.
Life and career
Alela Diane Menig, she grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as Forest Parade. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna NewsomJoanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom is an American harpist, pianist and singer-songwriter from Nevada City, California.- Early life :Newsom grew up in the small town of Nevada City, California...
. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.
The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.
A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.
Alela Diane has toured in the USA both solo and with Tom Brosseau
Tom Brosseau
Tom Brosseau is an American musical storyteller and guitarist, born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota.-Biography:Fat Cat Records artist Tom Brosseau tours and performs in the US, UK, Europe, Japan and Taiwan. In the Los Angeles area his home club is Largo. His song "How to Grow a Woman from...
. She had opened for Iron & Wine
Iron & Wine
Samuel Beam , better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, is an American singer-songwriter. He has released four studio albums, several EPs and singles, as well as a few download-only releases, which include a live album...
, Akron/Family
Akron/Family
Akron/Family is a folk-influenced experimental rock band that formed in 2002, and its members currently live in Portland, Oregon , Tucson, Arizona and New York City, New York.-Music and history:...
, The Decemberists
The Decemberists
The Decemberists are an indie folk rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States, fronted by singer/songwriter Colin Meloy. The other members of the band are Chris Funk , Jenny Conlee , Nate Query , and John Moen .The band's...
, and Vashti Bunyan
Vashti Bunyan
Vashti Bunyan is an English singer-songwriter. In 1970, Bunyan released her first album, Just Another Diamond Day. The album sold very few copies, and Bunyan, discouraged, abandoned her musical career...
. She performed in the UK in April and August 2007. While in the UK in August 2007 she performed at the Green Man Festival in Wales. She also toured extensively in Europe (UK, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany) in March, April and May 2008.
She lent her voice to an album of cover versions, The Silence of Love by Headless Heroes, released in November 2008, recorded by Eddie Bezalel and Hugo Nicholson with musicians Josh Klinghoffer, Joey Waronker, Gus Seyffert, Leo Abrahams
Leo Abrahams
Leo Abrahams is a British musician, composer, and producer. He has collaborated with a multitude of professional musicians, including Brian Eno, Imogen Heap, Jarvis Cocker, Carl Barât, and Paul Simon. After attending the Royal Academy of Music in England, he started his musical career by touring as...
and Woody Jackson.
Her second album, To Be Still, was released in February 2009. In early 2009 she toured the USA opening for Blitzen Trapper
Blitzen Trapper
Blitzen Trapper is a Portland, Oregon-based experimental alternative country/folk band signed to Sub Pop Records. Formed in 2000, the band currently operates as a sextet, with Eric Earley , Erik Menteer , Brian Adrian Koch , Michael VanPelt , and Marty Marquis...
, and spent the better part of that year touring Europe.
Her third album, Alela Diane & Wild Divine was released in early April 2011. Since the release, she and her band, Wild Divine, which includes her father, Tom Menig, and husband, Tom Bevitori have done tours of both the USA and Europe. In July 2011, they opened for the Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are a folk rock band which formed in Seattle, Washington. They are signed to the Sub Pop and Bella Union record labels. The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes...
on a string of USA dates.
She now lives in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, with her husband and cat.
Main Studio Albums
- The Pirate's GospelThe Pirate's Gospel- 2006 track listing :...
, Holocene Music, 2006 (revised track listing) - To Be Still, Rough Trade, 2009
- Alela Diane & Wild DivineAlela Diane & Wild Divine-Home Recording & B-Sides from the Wild Divine Sessions:Independent music stores in the UK sold the album with a bonus disc with the following tracks:# "Adelaide"# "Eastward Still"# "Desire "# "Long Way Down "# "Creek Don't Rise"...
, Rough Trade, 2011, UK chart peak: #158
Self-Released Albums
- Forest Parade, self-released, 2003
- The Pirate's Gospel, self-released, 2004
Compilation Contributions and Other
- Dry Grass and Shadows, track on Family Album compilation, Grass Roots Records, 2006
- Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, Names Records (UK), 2006 (10” vinyl)
- The Pirate's Gospel, Names Records (UK rerelease w/ different artwork), April 2007
- The Silence Of Love, Headless Heroes (vocals), Names Records, November 2008
- Alela & Alina, Family/Names Records, October 2009 (10” vinyl)
- "Leaves of Life", Various Artists, Borne!/Darla Records, 2009
External links and further sources
- Official website
- Holocene Music
- Headless Heroes
- Interview with Alela Diane
- To Be Still album review from the Guardian Feb 2009
- Alela Diane - To Be Still album review on Citizen Dick
- Daytrotter Session by Alela Diane, May 2007
- Daytrotter Session by Alela Diane, September 2007
- Green Man Festival 2007Green Man FestivalThe Green Man Festival is an independent music festival held annually in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. It has evolved from a one-day, 300 capacity event in 2003, to a three-day festival with live music including psych, folk, indie, dance and Americana across five stages, as well as DJs playing...
- Toad Session #30 with Alela Diane (UK) May 2008
- May 2009 Interview with L.A. RecordL.A. RecordL.A. Record is an independent music magazine originally published weekly as a broadsheet poster. The poster usually depicts a local Los Angeles musicians and according to the magazine editors is meant to recreate an iconic album cover. In March 2008, it began publishing as a monthly magazine with a...
- Alela Diane & Wild Divine Interview with Folk Radio UK April 2011