Susheela Raman is a real treasure; one of the most bewitching singers you are likely to encounter. Her spellbindingly beautiful voice has connected with millions of music lovers from all over the world. Tamil Londoner Susheela is one of the most interesting musicians emerge amongst the Asian disapora, equally at home with South Indian Classical as with Jimi Hendrix and Fela Kuti, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Aretha Franklin. As a composer, arranger and interpreter she has forged her own unique, inclusive sound and has already gained immense critical and popular acclaim for her records. Susheela is also known and loved for her very intense and compelling live performances. She has made four albums: ‘Salt Rain’ (2001), ..Love Trap.. (2003), And ..Music for Crocodiles..(2005) and ‘33 1/3’ (2007)
The dreamy and seductive ‘Salt Rai.’ went gold in France and was shortlisted for the UK Mercury Prize. The sublime and intense ‘Love Trap’ features many Indian songs and, amongst other great musicians, the legendary Tony Allen on drums alongside urban tabla genius, Aref Durvesh. Music for Crocodiles..is another musical feast, featuring musicians from South India and was partly recorded in Chennai (Madras). 2007 saw the release of ‘33 1/3’ a collection of characteristically soulful, distinctive and exciting re-interpretations of songs by (amonst others) Velvet Underground, Dylan, Captain Beefheart, Can and Joy Division. Recorded with long term collaborators Sam Mills, Vincent Segal and Aref Durvesh, the album has a very live feeling with stripped-down instrumentation and mutli-layered vocals. Susheela’s most beautiful journey yet.
Most recently Susheela has been spending a lot of time in Tamilnadu, South India working with devotional and folk music from the region as well as developing links with a new wave of London based British Asian musicians. She is at work on new record which should be released in Spring 2009.
plus support: LISA DE’VILLE
Lisa has played guitar and sang in various bands ranging in style from Punk to Alternative Rock, Blues to Hip Hop. Always being drawn back to the simplicity and beauty of the acoustic guitar and voice. Lisa has performed sessions for BBC Radio Nottingham, Leicester and Derby, has supported many touring bands in the U.K as well as recieving excellent reviews from local and national press.
Brought up listening to everything from folk to grunge, through to blues and rock, Lisa has a style as diverse as her imagination and tastes. The results are convincing and uncompromising.
Lisa’s live sets have been described as ‘Epic Folk’ (Farmyard Records). Her seemingly unrestricted four octave voice has drawn comparisons to Jeff Buckley and Joni Mitchell. With poignant, romanticised lyrics brooding over heartbreaking melodies that range from dark folk to upbeat, passionate rolling heartbeat rythms drench in bright optimism.
Sometimes performing with her full live band and often performing stripped down acoustic sets accompanied by classically trained Melanie Lawrence on the Viola, the sound can range from whispered vocals over intricate lilting guitars to dynamic textures over white noise.
“Heart Wrenching songwriting and a beautiful soaring voice which has the potential to cut your heart in two. This e.p proves that the dark side is always the more attractive option.” – Left Lion Magazine, Nottingham
“Her gorgeous voice and exquisite guitaring was accompanied, tonight, by her long time fellow artist Melanie Lawrence, on the violin. It was half an hour of sheer delight. Lisa has a golden voice which she used to great effect; a singer of particular quality, her songs and her performance of them were spell-binding. She is a celebrated song-writer and this was eminently obvious in the works she presented from the stage tonight. She told the audience that she is about to record a set of new EPs and many of the songs she performed were new to her considerable repertoire. Superb and enchanting.” – The Musician, Leicester
“Haunting and evocative songs in a crystal clear voice. Beautiful singing and masterful evocation of mood, her set was laden with artistry” Leicestershire Arts.
“Elegant and Beautiful. A remarkable talent and a gifted songwriter” (http://www.playingoutloud.co.uk/playing_out_loud_reviews.html) – Angry Badger Records.
“This four-track selection is full of surprises, exemplified by opener Folded Wing which starts out mellow and dreamy before building into a epic cavalcade of melody punctuated by Lisa’s siren-song voice. Until the End of Time leads you into a very different world reminiscent of Bat for Lashes, with the feeling of something sinister lurking beneath a bluesy riff and emotive lyrics. Twilight feels like a lullaby backed by guitar and strings, and leads seamlessly into the final track Neon Lights, a love story, full of evocative and fantastical images and feeling like a journey. With Fables from the Spinning Wheel, de’Ville provides us with simply beautiful music, perfect for unwinding after a stressful day or maybe a quiet night in with someone you love. It’s apparent that this is a singer/songwriter that can compete with the best, and probably teach them a thing or two”. Graeme Smith Left Lion, Nottingham.
