Aliah Selah

Artist Information

Biography

Aliah began dancing at 3, started piano at 7, then opted out of lessons at 9 to secretly write her own songs. In high school she was known for her conceptual dances where she choreographed to FRANK ZAPPA, YES, & PINK FLOYD songs. Her life changed when she picked up the sax on a dare from her boyfriend to play his sax. She had already begun writing songs from her poetry (kept in "a shoebox under her bed" as referred to in her title track "Shades Of Images") with her vision of writing the songs she would dance to. Oddly enough, this caused her to quit dance at her high school to commit full time to music and yoga classes at Phoenix College. It made more sense when she won 2nd place at the Phoenix College Talent Show with a solo dance piece. Yoga had taken her dance to a whole new level. Also, she played sax in the PC Jazz band & was performing her own songs regularly at Phoenix College’s Lunch Concert Series where a popular radio DJ announced her as "the next Joni Mitchell". The prestigious Berklee School of Music agreed and gave her a vocal scholarship that was reserved for unique singer/songwriters.

Aliah's 1st solo CD ACOUSTIC PERFUME, was featured on local Austin radio stations KUT, KTSW, KVRX, KGSR, & KOOP in perfect time for Lilith Fair. Her 2nd CD SHADES OF IMAGES started playing on those stations as well and as becoming a featured artist on KKMJ. She interviewed with DJ Eric Leikam who had dubbed her, "a kinder, gentler, Tori Amos". After her Amsterdam A2A Showcase, some European stations have been playing her unique spokenword and sung performance art song "Little Shelf" that was nominated for a 2008 HOLLYWOOD MUSIC AWARD in the Ambient/New Age category after being nominated in 2007 for an LA MUSIC AWARD in experimental. However, most of her songs are more radio friendly – lingering in your head for days listeners have said. Access Magazine agreed when they reported that her songs are “as catchy as some radio ballads." Vision Magazine adds "Aliah's music is both timeless & current."

Aliah Selah is an interdisciplinary artist with a joyous spirit that reveals a deep commitment to inner growth and spiritual activism. Her song "Bless The Water" was used for radio & TV spots to support S.O.S. (Save Our Spring) opposing developers threatening the fragile watershed eco-system in Austin, Texas. Another song "Luna: Tree Of Life" celebrates the work of Julia Butterfly Hill who lived for 2 years in a soaring Redwood tree she named Luna - to help save the ancient forest.


She's a pro performer with hundreds of live performances; she's toured Japan, Canada & Alaska with the keyboardist for Counting Crows, fronted San Francisco's rock band METRO, while in Boston on a Scholarship at Berklee School of Music - together with her soulmate/bandmate Paz - she played in Cafes and on college radio stations as well as in Harvard Square as TOUCH. Then, in the San Diego Area playing at clubs, and festivals with her funkrock band SOULER SYSTEM that grew into SPIRAL and then her current jam band project SPIRAL ON.... in pre-production with a TV/WEB SHOW CREATIVE EVOLUTION. In all project she writes songs, sings lead, arranges & plays sax & keys & for Special Events & Festivals - jamband Spiral On... & songs of Aliah Selah & Friends gigs include visual backdrops.. & Sacred Sign Dancers offering a mystical show of Universal Funk & Soulful Celebrational music.

Aliah's song "Sweetwater" is the title track on the Austin feature film that showcased in several festivals & SWEETWATER plays regularly on PBS. In addition, her Austin TV shows featured her layered collage-like music videos where she danced as another form of graphics - fulfilling her original vision of dancing to her own music. The San Francisco Guardsman commented on BELIEVE IN LOVE her one woman show combining her music, dance, poetry, art, and comedy about life: "It's nice to find someone who tells it how she sees it- we can expect to see more of Aliah Selah, she has the talent & integrity to rise above the norm."

Instrumentation

Duo Sets
Aliah Selah: Vocals & Keys (Sax w/ band)
Paz Rheinstein: Vocals & Hand Drum/Guitar/Flute/Bass

Guitar, Drums, Bass added with pro players for gigs that call for a full band.

Discography

Solo Material:
ACOUSTIC PERFUME - 1998 - Austin Radio Stations
Produced by Tim Records (Austin City Limits)
Singer/Songwriter

SHADES OF IMAGES - 2002 Austin Radio Stations &
Currently Indie 104 iradioLA - Little Shelf, Dig Deep, What Is So?
http://www.iradiola.com/ (Currently making Music Videos for several songs off of this CD for various projects.)
Produced by Mitch Watkins, Aliah Selah & Paz Rheinstein
AAA/New Thought

Aliah's 1st solo CD ACOUSTIC PERFUME, was featured on local Austin radio stations KUT, KTSW, KVRX, KGSR, & KOOP in perfect time for Lilith Fair. Her 2nd CD SHADES OF IMAGES started playing on those stations as well and as becoming a featured artist on KKMJ where she interviewed with DJ Eric Leikam who had dubbed her, "a kinder, gentler, Tori Amos" during the angry woman on the radio years - because her music was poetic and uplifting.

LIVIN' IN THE SHADE - 2004 Midnight Special Blues Radio
Livin' In The Shade, StarChild, Fridge Poetry
http://www.ms-blues.com (Europe/Paris based)
Produced by Terri Dosey & Aliah Selah
Austin Funk Rock

Aliah & Paz's Jam Band Spiral on..
.
SPIRAL ON... ZOOM POP! - will be released 11/11/11
with a SKYP - Recording - Video Release party with friends around the globe.

SPIRAL ON.... HOMEWORLD - released 10/10/10
Sound Sculpting Ambient Groove

Hear the new SPIRAL ON... CD www.myspace.com/spiralonnow) that will showcase on the new Web/TV Show:
CREATIVE EVOLUTION (www.spiralon.com/WeDoTV.htm)
along with other Positive Alternative & Green Visionary Music, Art, & Activism - & interviews with Creative Evolutionary Award recipients (Sandra Bernhard, Julia Butterfly Hill) and all kinds of ongoing segments, comedy video shorts and maybe what you have to share? Contact Peacefarm Productions:
www.peacefarm.org

In Pre-Production: (www.aliahselah.com/recordingprojects.htm)

BLESS THE WATER
AAA / New Thought / Activism / Gospel
(Several songs were used on radio/TV in Austin for good causes - adding new cuts to past recordings - all focusing on activism - Past Music Videos will showcase on CREATIVE EVOLUTION.)

BEING BARE
Singer/Songwriter / AAA
Music Videos w/ themes for CE segment: Isness Vision Questing

IN LIGHT OF NOW
Contemporary Jazz - Rock Fusion
(Aliah's newest material and featuring her on tenor sax set to be released Dec. 2011 and the making of is a CE segment:
Shades Of Images - In Light Of Now)

STEPPIN' OUTA DA BLUR
Positive Alternative Funk Rock
Songs from both CD's are to be featured in The Rockaholix film that features her jam band SPIRAL ON... and many bands of quirky lovable Rockaholix that are also Rockin' 4 Peace.
Is that you or someone you know?
Find out if U R a Rockaholix too: www.rockaholix.com
Rockaholix will start out as a CE segment and grow into a film.

Links

• Aliah's Broadjam web site - hear more songs
• R U A ROCKAHOLIX 4 PEACE? FIND OUT...

Audio

• Surfin' On A Waterfall
  Listen  
• Listen
  Listen  
• What Is So?
  Listen  
• Rainbowland
  Listen  
• StarChild
  Listen  
• Come Alive
  Listen  
• Shades Of Images
  Listen  
• Captain Jack
  Listen  
• 4Everglad
  Listen  
• 01LittleShelf
  Listen  
• Livin' In The Shade
  Listen  
• Silence Fills Sound
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Surfin' On A Waterfall
• Livin' In The Shade
• StarChild
• Rainbowland
• Everglad
• Shades Of Images
• Listen
• Silence Fills Sound
• Come Alive
• Captain Jack
• What Is So?
• Little Shelf

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Aliah Selah: A Soulful Voice & Funny Too! [+ Show ]
  

  Aliah Selah is a mystic yogi health-nut, new thought rocker, comedian peace activist - dancing on th...Aliah Selah is a mystic yogi health-nut, new thought rocker, comedian peace activist - dancing on the edge of creative possibilities.
  She is a charismatic performer & prolific songwriter who knows how to connect with, & move an audience. A pro performer with countless live performances playing her songs in clubs, cafes, events, & festivals around the world. Performing solo, acoustically with life/band mate Paz, or their band SPIRAL. She writes & performs on keyboards where she showcases funky rhythmic tunes & mystical ballads. Both share her soulful voice & insightful wisdom - allowing her to stand in a light all her own."
  

• Spreading Miracles at Miracles Café. [+ Show ]
  

  Aliah Selah's Thursday night (8-10pm) performance is a hidden treasure of the San Diego area. This m...Aliah Selah's Thursday night (8-10pm) performance is a hidden treasure of the San Diego area. This magnificent young woman inspires all who happen upon her singing in the Moonlight on the outdoor patio of Miracles Café in Cardiff by the Sea. After hearing her songs a few times, I have of course developed some favorites but perhaps the first song that I began singing along to was “Who We Is”, a soulful piece about being true to yourself. Others include “Bless The Water” about Tibetan Monk’s who came to bless Barton Springs (in Austin where she last lived) as developers threaten the delicate watershed eco-system. According to Aliah, the companion song “Luna: Tree Of Life” was given to her by Spirit in a dream - where a Native American Medicine Man asked her to thank Julia Butterfly Hill who lived in a Redwood tree she named “Luna” for 2 years to help save the 1000 year old forest. “Communication Blues” and “Dandelion Wish” are another pair of companion songs that ironically enough are about developing interdependent love. Another powerful song, “Bring It On”, is a great tune that Aliah was inspired to write because of the recent need again for peace activism that's been going strong since the 60’s, if not way before. She introduces it with: "The peace movement is older and wiser now and ready to take on those who are foolish to think that anyone can win a war – I say we’re ready, so. “Bring It On!”" She ends the song with a chant for peace. She is full of vibrant healing energy. Her positive, funky, rock songs are really catchy and ring true as much as her poetic mystical ballads - layered with meaning that help us to feel calmer about our changing world. Her music celebrates the now in all its glory… while her message of peace and healing lingers.
  
  
  -Catherine Deane
  Vision Magazine/ Nov 2003

• Shades Of Images - Aliah Selah [+ Show ]
  

  Aliah Selah’s sophomore release Shades of Images is layered with radio-ready pop rock gems... Aliah Selah’s sophomore release Shades of Images is layered with radio-ready pop rock gems, jazzy contemporary smoothies and danceable contagious rave/rock. This album has brought out Aliah’s sultrier gypsy-temptress side, while still remaining grounded by her earth mother wisdom. Her critically acclaimed debut CD, Acoustic Perfume, featured on local radio stations (KUT, KGSR, KLBJ, KOOP, KVRX, & KTSW) and was sold-out to new age and pagan herb and book stores, midwives, massage therapists, and crystal toting Lilith Fair women.
  
  This new collection of songs is Aliah's best work to date, thick with lush vocal harmonies and revealing an array of styles that will offer her music to an even a wider audience. The dimensions of her sound and her ability to write songs that are easy to relate to, should cause this album to sell-out quickly, just like her debut album did.
  
  Shades of Images opening track “Little Shelf” starts unfolding atmospherically - providing a surreal backdrop for the mystery implied by Aliah’s siren whisper as she lures the wandering traveler to her shores. The rest of the songs lead you through vocal surprises and lush arrangements of easy music to listen to... drift off to... and dance to. Each tune glides into the next in a cosmic flow of jazzy vocal lines, that can also rock with a psychedelic edge on cuts like “What Is So?” and “Dig Deep” both modern stand-out tracks, with major commercial appeal.
  
  The title track “Shades Of Images”; is about a shoe box of poetry that's collected throughout the years and has the luminous quality of acknowledging, if not celebrating, growth through mistakes. Aliah's poetic vocals echo raw honesty, whether dressed in pop radio ready arrangements or drifting off quietly to linger as on the track “Silence Fills Sound”. The yearning cry of an artist seeking solace is grounded in the jazzy soul searching of her earth angel voice. The story of “Captain Jack” (who'd “seen a little too much of life”) has a smoky, speakeasy feel. “Sweet Life” teases with an eager to please tempo, before ending interestingly with a vocal arrangement that sounds like monks chanting... fading off into the distance. “Listen” has a mid-eastern allure reminiscent of the Beatles’ guru phase, with music that feels like the swish of veils whirling seductively around the room and the twang of a lingering sitar. The track with the most original and fresh sound is “Come Alive”- pop-ish vocals set to the continuous primal rhythms of didgeridoo and tablas where the ceaseless cadence tugs you helplessly to your feet to dance. A psychedelic infused danceable version of Joni Mitchell's “Woodstock” that Aliah calls “Back to the Garden” rounds out the album. Once again, her new CD Shades Of Images, is definitely something unique among the normal Austin scene.
  
  Shades Of Images was produced by Aliah herself, along with her partner Paz Rheinstein and jazz rock guitarist Mitch Watkins, (Lyle Lovett, Bruce Cockburn) whose production credits include Austin favorites Abra Moore (Arista Records) and Bob Schneider (Universal Records). Seven of the twelve songs were recorded at Watkins’ studio The Institute with Watkins on guitars, layered pads, and drum programming, Mike Hynes (Abra Moore, Panic Choir) on fretless bass, Paz adding additional guitars & flute, and Aliah providing vocals and keys. This album has a rich, velvety weave throughout the many textures and tilts of Aliah's songwriting and story telling. The last three songs were recorded at the couple’s own Peacefarm Studios. “What Is So?” and “Dig Deep” are performed & co-written by bassist Justin Gray who also did the drum programming and with the addition of Bruce Salmon’s (Joe Rockhead, Alejandro Escovedo) swirly, whirly synthesizers.
  
  Shades Of Images available for purchase online at: www.broadjam.com/aliahselah
  also at Aliah's gigs as well as Austin record stores.
  
  -Sharon Jones
  Austin Daze
  March /2003

• Aliah Selah's Shades Of Images is both timeless & current, [+ Show ]
  

  “ Aliah Selah's second album Shades Of Images is as eclectic and beautiful as the life she has lead....“ Aliah Selah's second album Shades Of Images is as eclectic and beautiful as the life she has lead. As a peace activist, visual artist, songwriter, musician and performer. Aliah speaks of empowerment, transformation, and awareness. The album mixes her gorgeous voice with the delicate poetry of her words. Added is a pop-rock, almost 70's sound that has the power and immediate sense of now.
  The music is both timeless and current, rambunctious yet meditative.
  Fans of Joni Mitchell will surely appreciate Aliah Selah,
  she is a new force to be reckoned with.”
  
  -Trevor Watson
  

• Aliah live at Flipnotics... Timeless & Enchanting [+ Show ]
  

  Before this gig even started, we knew we were in for something different- the normally plain Flipnot...Before this gig even started, we knew we were in for something different- the normally plain Flipnotics stage was graced with purple flowing fabric. The mystical atmosphere carried through the performance with songs reminiscent of early Stevie Nicks or Joni Mitchell. Playing keyboards and singing "Acoustic Perfume", the title cut off her 1st CD, Aliah Selah takes the audience for a musical journey. Her down to earth spirit shines through her bluesy vocal style that can coo into a mysterious sensuality. Other songs that stood out were "Shades Of Images", the title cut of her newest CD and "Captain Jack", a bitter sweet tale about a Laundromat philosopher. Aliah's music has a timeless and enchanting quality that is a welcome alternative to the regular Austin scene.

• Aliah Selah Interdisciplinary Artist [+ Show ]
  

  A review of one of Aliah's 10 MINUTE MAX performances: "The act which stood out this evening wa...A review of one of Aliah's
  10 MINUTE MAX performances:
  
  "The act which stood out this
  evening was Aliah Selah.
  Combining all elements
  of the creative arts
  (music, dance, drama, & art)
  Aliah's performance represented
  the essence of
  an interdisciplinary artist.
  After her brief monologue
  she danced to her own song
  "Split Second Inspiration"
  around an hour glass
  and took the audience
  on a mind walk through time."

• Aliah Selah: a genuine bohemian a wildflower… with a calling sacred as her pilgrimage [+ Show ]
  

  This years first A2A Music Festival was scheduled to happen, just weeks after the September 11th tra...This years first A2A Music Festival was scheduled to happen, just weeks after the September 11th tragedy. Soon after it occurred, it was then dedicated to victims & their families. Singer/songwriter & spiritual activist, Aliah Selah performed Friday Night, at De Brokke Grond Theater, (on the 17th of October, 21:00) as part of the A2A Music Festival Showcases. Messages of peace are needed now more than ever & Aliah returned to Amsterdam,
  with 2 new songs... written since this life changing events.
  
  In this live performance, Aliah began mysteriously… chiming Tibetan bells. Then, she began playing, her keyboard as she spoke about the first song "Bless the Water." This song was magically born a week before Tibetan Monks came to bless Barton Springs... a development endangered spring in Austin, Texas, where she lives. Interestingly enough, she wrote it not knowing they were coming. She still continues to ring these bells as a reminder of the monk's blessing.
  Recently, back at home in Austin, she was inspired to do a peace centered event (not a "anti-war" one). Together with Peacefarm (Peacefarm is her & her husband Paz's intentional community group home) Aliah watched as the event made itself happen... and the We Here Now Holiday Peace Bazaar idea took on a life of it's own (and was covered on News where she first coined 'The Now Generation"). Everyone who got involved understood the energy that was building through this event & how it made them feel empowered to respond in celebration to our connection after the world events we all shared. Peacefarm wants to do more events in the future to build community spirit & give help to others with real needs. This holiday happening was a benefit for" Food Not Bombs" which really hits the essence of where the emphasis for peace comes, especially during the Holidays when many of these fine folks don't have a home for Christmas, let alone Christmas dinner & gifts under the tree.
  www.weherenow.net is dedicated to being a network that helps to connect other "Solutionaries of the Now Generation" who want to see what they can do to empower themselves & others towards inner & outer peace. Her CD's Acoustic Perfume & Shades Of Images are soon to be available at www.aliahselah.com. As well as 2 more that she's in the studio with now Wildflowers, that will showcase her Spiritual Activist songs like: "Luna- Tree Of Life"- & "The Holy City" and Being Bare that will reveal more of her intimate songs about inner growth, & getting to what's real- who we is.
  
  -Shema
  Austin Daze
  
  

Setlist

With over 4 hours of material, Aliah (Keys, sax & lead vocals) & Paz (Guitar, Bass, Flute, & Hand Drums) choose the material & arrangements that fit each event - offering an uplifting vibe while saying something real in songs you can either listen to or dance to - depending on the venue & crowd that shows up - they follow the vibe and offer a good time. Their TV shows that offers pads of video art that they can have playing behind them - if that is what fits the event.

They do acoustic a capella blessings to open events - all the way to a full funk rock fusion dance bands. Their sets can play both a low key mellow singer/songwriter set or they can add more players to get people up and dancing. They offer energy music that is into feeling good and enjoying the moment and loving life. From a 5 minute Blessing spot to 4 hours of music in an evening. More details on the songs that could be used and the feel that they offer:www.aliahselah.com/recordingprojects.htm
These have been performed for years - just not recorded yet.

Singer/Songwriter - Follow-up to ACOUSTIC PERFUME CD
- BEIN' BARE

AAA - Follow-up to SHADES OF IMAGES CD
BLESS THE WATER - many song were used for good causes

Funk Rock - Follow-up to LIVIN' IN THE SHADE CD
Positive Alternative - STEPPIN' OUTA DA BLUR both are to be featured in The Rockaholix film.

Contemporary Jazz - Featuring jazzy singing & featuring her sax currently in pre-production - IN LIGHT OF NOW

Basic Requirements

Calendar