Seela Misra is a Canadian-born singer-songwriter residing in

Austin, Texas Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and W ...

. She was the lead singer of the jazz band TOrcH and is also the back-up singer for Matt the Electrician. Seela is known for an expressive vocal range, "one moment she rasps like a Jersey deli queen, the next she's cooing coquettishly."Raoul Hernandez
" Seela, Something Happened,"
''Austin Chronicle'' March 3, 2000. This is evident in her solo work and when delivering jazz standards with the Jazz Pharaohs or with TOrcH where she has been credited with "unswerving hipness" succeeding where others have failed "in melding her own style with those from the past." Seela's initial foray into recording, ''Probably Lucy'' (1994) conveyed "a spare sultriness," and was called "a languid acoustic romp through the varied terrain of the poetic heart," quickly selling out its first pressing. "Dark and atmospheric," her follow-up album, ''Something Happened'' (1999), received criticism for inconsistent songwriting; "the head lady has not found quite enough songs to fill 56 minutes,"Raoul Hernandez
" Something Happened review,"
''Austin Chronicle'' December 3, 1999. while simultaneously admitting "what her songwriting lacks in answers, it makes up for in mood." Indeed, depth of mood and emotion, thus far, has defined her career and stage presence: "Her stare is direct, like Krishna contemplating Radha," while her "voice is her main calling card, soft and inviting, belying the darkness in her songs." "Sonically compelling," Seela is sought out in the Austin music scene, adding vocals to albums across a wide range of genres, while complimenting numerous artists on stage. Seela released her fourth studio album, ''Valentine'' in 2013.Chaiti Sen
"Now For Something Completely Different,"
''Jaggery Lit'' November 20, 2013.

Performed with

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, Stanley Smith,

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, Eric Beverly, Whammo, Jon Greene.

Discography

Solo

*Probably Lucy (1994) *Something Happened (1999) *Hard Times Hit (2003) *Rock With Us (2004) with 4-Eyes, Live *Valentine (2013) *Track you Down (2016) *Cool (2020)

with TOrcH

*Sounds for Staying Home (2002) *Before the Night is Over (2005) *Charmed (2007)

References

External links