XSARA
Rugby, England, United Kingdom | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
Now for something very different to almost everything that I’ve ever featured... killer combination of her out-there look and her tongue-in-cheek lyrics. it’s clear that we should definitely be paying attention to this girl...Full of simple, classy pianos, show-stopping vocals and blasts of brass topped off with the scream of the harmonica, this is a flamboyant cabaret act that you’ll find yourself falling in love with again and again. - Show Me Something Different
"I was blown away by her voice. At that time there were no videos, none that I could find. The quest not being helped by that ubiquitous car with the same name. But now I've found one and it is too good not to be shared. Enjoy the marvelous voice at the heart of Xsara."
- Bearly Rambling
XSARA... a fabulous and funky fusion of pop, blues, and cabaret sounds... The Scriptwriter' is a progressive and quirky jazz-riddled pop song that is only fully justified when enjoyed visually as well as audibly. XSARA showcases her great vocal range before brass swells and a soloing-harmonica bring the track to life, atop a grooving rhythm section. It's a real toe-tapper and one I'm sure is just as suited in a dark and dingy jazz-cellar as it would be in a bright, sassy burlesque club."
- -When We Were Beautiful
"When a year begins with a date playing a set for BBC Introducing it’s probably safe to assume that things may very well be on the up. Xsara, and her specialist brand of ‘blues, jazz cabaret inspired pop’ is bound to make an impression on anyone who comes into contact with it. Bringing to mind established artists such as Tori Amos, Kate Bush and Gabby Young as well as our very own Annaca and Shona Foster; Xsara is a performer with an image as strong as her sound. Gathering together an orchestra of strings, piano, brass and plenty of glitter, her live performance has been described as ‘the most colourful and engaging gig I've been to this year’ by Q Radio. Her latest video for ‘The Scriptwriter’ kind of explains where such a comment may have come from… and we’re looking forward to hearing a lot more from this lady. "
- Emerging Icons
"There was glitter, there was glamour, there was razzle, there was dazzle – and it all came gift wrapped in the form of the girl known as XSARA! This was showbiz at its VERY BEST. From the outset, Xsara, had the audience in the palm of her hand with a spellbinding performance – and this girl can’t half sing as well! An effortlessly audacious blend of cabaret, pop and jazz laced with brilliantly executed twists of blues from her harmonica player and band.
To say she stole the show would be an understatement… Xsara was the show!" - ~Ben James Dep. Manager Oxjam Islington
"It makes a change to have a song with a lyrical intensity of poetic proportions... Musically and vocally it brings to mind Bjork...reminiscent of the 80s hyper-clicky sound, the one taken to its extreme by Herbie Hancock’s Rocket track...great attitude in its looseness and the intensity of the power that builds within the vocal... quirky for sure but it has character and individuality which is all too rare these days. ."
-Computer Music Magazine - Computer Music Magazine
"It makes a change to have a song with a lyrical intensity of poetic proportions... Musically and vocally it brings to mind Bjork...reminiscent of the 80s hyper-clicky sound, the one taken to its extreme by Herbie Hancock’s Rocket track...great attitude in its looseness and the intensity of the power that builds within the vocal... quirky for sure but it has character and individuality which is all too rare these days. ."
-Computer Music Magazine - Computer Music Magazine
‘With a distinctive, gutsy voice and fresh twist on the blues / jazz genres, XSARA stopped us in our tracks. 100% catchy and one to watch.’
-BBC Introducing
- -BBC Introducing… in Beds, Herts and Bucks
" XSARA never failed to engage her audience with her strong stage presence, finely crafted evocative songs and jazz-filled voice...'Are You Living In A Paradox?' is new, vibrant and oddly comforting, like a breath of fresh air - just what the London scene needs."
-Glasswerk - Glasswerk
"Xsara strode onto our stage with the majesty and grace of a major visiting dignitary. From start to finish she delivered walloping bluesy numbers in a manner that sometimes evoked the much missed Amy Winehouse. Her personality is as big as her tunes and we'd like to think she'll be playing much larger stages than ours anytime soon. - The Good Ship
"Startling looks and a personality the length of the Yellow Brick Road have been known to divert attention from an average voice - but in Xsara's case it's the voice that somehow upstages everything else. Her show at The Dublin Castle was the most colourful and engaging gig I've been to this year."
-Andy Westcott, Evening presenter, Q Radio - Q Radio
"Blues-jazz-pop-ette, Xsara...extravagantly dressed with a big voice and personality to match, this lovely lady is ready to take the music industry by storm. "
-No Borders Magazine - No Borders Magazine
"Blues-jazz-pop-ette, Xsara...extravagantly dressed with a big voice and personality to match, this lovely lady is ready to take the music industry by storm. "
-No Borders Magazine - No Borders Magazine
"Xsara certainly knows a thing or two about stage presence, quiffed in a shocking red hairdo and festooning the stage with roses and glitter before singing a note. It’s better than four ordinary band blokes in tea towel shirts any day. When she does, on electric piano, also covered in flowers, she’s backed up by twin brass section and band, and the Xsara sound is reminiscent of the Dresden Dolls doing a New Orleans jamboree.
There’s some tender moments too, with delicate piano melodies and hushed tones, before vertical drops of piano scales crash in like a waterfall and a very alt-soulful voice that might easily out-diva Beth Ditto rips you out of your reverie. It’s 21st century cabaret-jazz with a hint of gothic melodrama but with a nod of respect to Amy Winehouse and her peers.
However its definitely not for the lazy or bland mainstream ear. Music for useful for making out on the coffee table than lying on it.”
-Joe Atari, Circle, 93 Feet East - 93 Feet east
"Xsara was a bit leftfield or odd depends on your take..." - Live & Unsigned- (Chris Grayston)
"Xsara was a bit leftfield or odd depends on your take..." - Live & Unsigned- (Chris Grayston)
"Xsara's performance at the Water Rats was fantastic! Such an amazing powerful voice, songwriting with attitude and great stage presence, plus her outfit really rocked, one talented lady to definitely keep an eye on" - Monto
"Xsara's performance at the Water Rats was fantastic! Such an amazing powerful voice, songwriting with attitude and great stage presence, plus her outfit really rocked, one talented lady to definitely keep an eye on" - Monto
"Sassy,kooky female louche jazz tinged cabaret Blues, interesting voice, operatic in places and pretty distinct..."
-Bugbear - Bugbear
Discography
RELEASES
'Are There Dragons In Your Heart?' album August 29th 2013
'Are You Living In A Paradox?' EP Released 11th May 2012
XSARA presents Are You Living In A Paradox LIVE Released Nov 2012
'The Scriptwriter' Oxjam Islington Festival Compilation 2012
RADIO
Strange Love played BBC Introducing Norfolk Jan 2014
Live full band session & interview BBC Introducing 3CR 2013
Live Interview- Cambridge 105 Radio 2013
'The Scriptwriter'- Shoreditch Radio 2013 (Zoe Cunningham)
'The Scriptwriter'- Q Radio 2012 (Andy Westcott)
'The Scriptwriter'- BBC Introducing 3CR 2012
Live acoustic Session & Interview BBC Introducing 3CR 2012
'Just Another Day'-Covent Garden Radio, 2011
Radio International, Radio Basingstoke 2011
'Give Me Your Craziness'-BBC Introducing 2010
PUBLICATIONS
Glasswerk review read article http://bit.ly/OjRk4A
G3 Magazine read article at http://bit.ly/Y2GyAz
Female Flare read article at http://bit.ly/OiZdTs
Herts Essex Observer read article at http://bit.ly/NdQg24
No Borders Magazine read article at http://bit.ly/KLyJKe
BLOGS
Push To Fire http://bit.ly/15wW0ZG
When We Were Beautiful http://bit.ly/XYiRuD
Show Me Something Different http://bit.ly/15I9pya
Play Pause Rewind http://bit.ly/XkMtzd
Music Mafia http://bit.ly/W6fTRm
Bearly Rambling http://bit.ly/XodNhX
Photos
Bio
Half Egyptian, quarter Swedish singer-songwriter XSARA (pronounced Ex-sar-ruh) spent her childhood in Mississippi influenced by the Blues. Now her band performs her cocktail of Jazz, Funk inspired Pop mixed with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and attitude with a dash of madness and mayhem.
Band Members
Links