seela

“…she possesses an appealing, slightly raspy alto that conveys both vulnerability and strength. And she has written a first-rate batch of songs. They’re melodic and hook-filled, and there’s depth to her brand of contemporary Christian music.

“A pretty day to be a pilgrim,” she observes on “Ready to Sing.” ”A pretty day to be a mess.”

In trying to deal with her mess, Seela references the Holy Ghost, the mighty savior, love and loss. With the help of producer Anthony da Costa, there’s not one false note in the arrangements, and he delivers some stinging electric guitar. Seela was born in Canada to Indian immigrants and has long been based in Austin, Texas. She’s well known there but deserves a wider audience for her considerable God-given talents.

-Steven Wine, Associated Press - Associated Press

At this point, Seela is almost synonymous with Austin music. In her 20+ years performing in the Live Music Capitol, she has sung with a who’s who of Austin musicians, including Jon Dee Graham, Beaver Nelson, Bob Schneider, & Matt the Electrician. Now, Seela is taking the reins of her own sound with the help of Adrian Quesada, “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb, Jeff Plankenhorn, Andrew Pressman, and John Greene. Her new album, Track You Down, takes that abundance of talent and channels it into a tight collection of gospel-infused numbers highlighted by Seela’s undeniable vocal talent. Take a listen to Seela’s performance in Studio 1A before catching her at the Cactus Cafe on 1/18. - KUTX

When “message music” can stand strictly on its musical clout, all the better for messenger and listener alike. And one Seela, whose working resume includes time with Freedy Johnston and Matt The Electrician, transmits her intent by way of vibrant, earthy vocals, vivid word-pictures and melodies nurtured by multiple genres and razor-sharp pop instincts. The Ontario-born, Austin-based singer/multi-instrumentalist’s prowess is matched with savvy, “big” sounding small-group production. The title track is an instant standout slice of post-Prince pop. Other attention-grabbing fare here includes “Awake To Remember Me”, “Faith”, and “Ready To Sing”. Open minds & ears will be justly rewarded.

-Duane Verh, Roots Music Report - Roots Music Report

…“Track You Down” is an exquisite collection of acoustic-based folk-pop songcraft. “Awake to Remember Me” sets verses steeped in darkness to an uplifting tempo, with the singing and the spirit soaring in the chorus. Many of these songs deal with religious issues, though Seela approaches them with a personal touch rather than a heavy hand. The album-closing “At a Loss” beautifully pares the music down to its essentials for lyrics that dig deep into the heart.

– Peter Blackstock, Austin American Statesman Austin 360 On the Record - Austin American Statesman

“What sets Seela apart is the way she infuses close-to-the-heart love songs with more lofty spiritual yearnings. But the music never becomes burdensome; instead it is filled with the inspiration that lives inside courage. What results is a unique feeling of the high and the low, something that rarely makes it all the way into songs like this. “Awake to Remember Me,” “Love, Burn Me Down,” and “Brave” find a way through to willing listener, and with backing from many of the best musicians in the Lone Star State, Seela has made music for the ages. All in a voice all her own.”

-Bill Bentley, The Morton Report - The Morton Report