Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“Ladies and Gentleman, that is a performance!”, exclaimed Rich Warren, 30 years veteran WFMT Chicago Radio Producer after seeing elena showcase and perform on stage her single ‘Tears of an Island’ at the 2005 International Folk Alliance Convention in Montreal, Canada. - Rich Warren
elena, her powerful voice resonating deeply, like an echo of Tracy Chapman's, bursts forth in a passionate embrace of inspired music and thought-provoking lyrics. Influenced by life and its struggles, elena's toe-tapping songs send messages of strength and empowerment to all who hear the indigenous singer/songwriter perform. - Roni Askey-Doran
"elena, her powerful voice resonating deeply, like an echo of Tracy Chapman's, bursts forth in a passionate embrace of inspired music and thought-provoking lyrics. Influenced by life and its struggles, elena's toe-tapping songs send messages of strength and empowerment to all who hear
the indigenous singer/songwriter perform".
Roni Askey-Doran, freelance journalist, December 2004
“Her guitar style playing a right handed guitar left handed, blends beautifully with her strong voice”
Broome Advertiser, 19 August 2004
“. . .evocative style of folk music with Tracy Chapman style lyrics . . .”
Olivia Katter, Townsville Bulletin, June 2004
"A rich soulful voice. Engaging songs about relationships and everyday life".
David Cummins, 4K1G National Radio, April 2004
“Her voice on first impressions is passionately powerful . . .”
Simon Chamberlain, Tamworth Daily Northern, January 2004
- Mix
Singer songwriter elena reaches back into her ethnic origins to draw strength from her ancestors by integrating Polynesian, Celtic and Afro-American music, to produce a startlingly fresh and vibrant musical style.
elena's music is in a very personal style. Her musical career is a recent new venture for her, and she's not afraid to put her personal opinions about environmental and social issues up front in her music. One song on this CD particularly focuses on conflicts related to inappropriate and exploitative developments in her home area of Magnetic Island, Queensland. Her songs also address the timeless issues of human relationships, partings, love lost and found. Her music is probably at its strongest when she sings from the heart, as she clearly does on some tracks.
Her first release, Rivers of the Soul may sound a touch raw musically in places, but conveys passion and emotion about her chosen subjects. She's backed on most tracks on this CD by a band consisting of mandolin, lead and bass guitars, harmonica, drumkit, didgeridoo, djembe and additional percussion. On some tracks such as "Her Song - funked up" the band drop into a nice funky blues based groove behind her vocals, perhaps the strongest musical style of the album."
Malcolm Fielding, indie-cds.com
- Malcolm Fielding
Discography
EP 'soul change' March 2006.
Debut CD 'rivers of the soul' 12 track original songs December 2003.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Imported from the Islands of Australia, New Zealand and Samoa this exotic package of vibrance is currently touring North America. Noted as this generations next Odetta, the powerful voice of elena (e-lane-nah) encorporates a genre combining folk, blues and soul with a twist of world music. elenas Samoan and Maori heritage are reflected in the infectious energy and wild joy of her performances which weave a compelling musical tapestry uplifting all who experience her.
Three years into her incredible musical journey, indigenous performer and singer song writer elena, is embarking upon her next adventure in North America. Performing in festivals and venues to share her energy, enthusiam and passion for empowering others to empower themselves.
elena is the daughter of a Samoan chief and Maori ancestry. She is passionate about issues of the environment, indigenous people and women which is reflected in her song writing.
New to the festival circuit in 2004 elena has been performing in National and Canadian festivals.
2004 saw elena tour Australia top to bottom and east to west.
With Australia ringing from her powerful Maori vocals she headed to Canada with the Aussie Crocpot including Fruit, Xavier Rudd, Ben Lee, Jeff Laing and Jodie Martin for the 2005 Canadian Music Week and International Folk Alliance Conference.
Crossing the border elena opened the Aussie BBQ at SxSW, Austin, Texas organized by Austrade which included artists John Butler Trio, Missy Higgins, Little Birdy, The Grates, Wolfmother and Gyroscope.
Touring the remote corners of Australia took elena into the detention centres and missions that are home to many indigenous Australians. Fired by the death in custody of a young Aboriginal man, elena is determined to use her vocal talent, precocious personality and unique perspective as an indigenous New Zealander to empower people of all races and creeds, to empower themselves.
elena is a powerful message of acceptance, tolerance, courage and passion that communicates readily with audiences of all sizes.
Take the time to be captivated by elena at your festival or venue.
Kia kaha Be strong, be proud of who you are and believe in yourself!
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