Kayla Kavanagh
Barnsley, England, United Kingdom | SELF
Music
Press
She's a one woman band for the 21st centry - and she's got the degree to prove it. Irish musician Kayla Kavanagh was the most qualified student to graduate in Doncaster this year as Doncaster College's University Centre's only MA Graduate.
She has just spent a year studying how to use technology to turn one performer into a whole orchestra. Her efforts won her a postgraduate degree in Digital Performance, and she loved South Yorkshire so much she decided to stay.
Kayla is currently working on her upcoming debut album due for release in 2008. - Doncaster Star
"In a world with a surfeit of girls with guitars, it's refreshing to find a talented performer such as Kayla Kavanagh.
Playing a variety of instruments in addition to singing in a sweet clear voice, Kavanagh uses technology to become a 'one woman band'. This use of technology is extensive, and while slightly distracting, the end results are impressive.
These songs of love and longing are built into harmonies with a multiple layering of sound, both vocal and instrumental and the result, certainly in the case of 'Colour Me In', is beautiful.She fully engages with her bright, breezy manner." - ThreeWeeks
"Without a doubt, Kayla’s strongest characteristic is her voice. Obviously benefiting from vocal training, her technically-impressive singing is well-controlled and powerful." - FringeGuru
"Switching between acoustic guitar and keyboards, she sets up instant multi-tracking behind her melodic tales of broken dreams.
It's a big sound for one person ..." - The Herald
"Digital technology creates a wonderful acoustic landscape centred around Kayla's timeless quality of voice."
- Edinburgh Internet Festival
MP3 of the week:
"A most promising showreel of hugely varied original songs. Shades of all your favourite female balladeers and angst-ridden young ladies; Tori Amos meets Nerina Pallot perhaps; gorgeous vocal purity that reminds us of Sarah McLachlan, but with a sweetness all of its own. Kayla, get your gigs listed, we want to see you play!" - LemonRock.com
"Switching between acoustic guitar and keyboards, she sets up instant multi-tracking behind her melodic tales of broken dreams.
It's a big sound for one person ..." - The Herald
Discography
Albums
"Stranger than Fiction" (2010)
"Hiding from Lightning" (2012)
Photos
Bio
Kayla Kavanagh is a solo artist with a difference. The Yorkshire-based Irish Singer/Songwriter plays nine instruments, writes and performs her own original music and has toured the UK with her ‘one-woman band’ show at venues across the UK including three years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Kayla launched her debut album Stranger than Fiction in 2010 featuring twelve original songs with her trademark fusion of the traditional and modern - an eclectic mix of electronica pop/rock.
2012 saw the launch of the second album, Hiding from Lightning, on the Selva Sound label. The album was created thanks to fans of Kayla's music, who donated more than £1,500 to fund its release through a Pledge Music campaign.
Kayla's live stage shows feature piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, looping pedal, hammered dulcimer, electric violin, flute, tin whistle, vocoder and the Eigenharp, a new electronic device which plays and loops multiple software instrument sounds.
The shows range from a simple acoustic setup with guitar and looping pedal to the full nine instruments. Working alongside Engineer/Producer Nigel Pease, the complex array of instruments and technology is brought together to create a unique and engaging performance.
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