Seela Misra

Seela Misra is a Canadian-born[1] singer-songwriter residing in Austin, Texas. 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."[2] This is evident in her solo work and when delivering jazz standards with the Jazz Pharaohs[3] 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."[4]

Seela Misra
Birth nameSeela Misra
Also known asSeela
BornCornwall, Ontario, Canada
GenresFolk, jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, bass, vocals
Years active1994–present
LabelsNew Improved Music
Associated actsMatt the Electrician, TOrcH, The Jazz Pharahos
Websiteiamseela.com

Seela's initial foray into recording, Probably Lucy (1994) conveyed "a spare sultriness,"[2] and was called "a languid acoustic romp through the varied terrain of the poetic heart,"[5] quickly selling out its first pressing. "Dark and atmospheric,"[2] 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,"[6] while simultaneously admitting "what her songwriting lacks in answers, it makes up for in mood."[2]

Indeed, depth of mood and emotion, thus far, has defined her career and stage presence: "Her stare is direct, like Krishna contemplating Radha,"[2] while her "voice is her main calling card, soft and inviting, belying the darkness in her songs."[7] "Sonically compelling,"[6] 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.[8]

Performed with

Sean Hayes, Ian McLagan, Craig Ross, Tom Freund, Stanley Smith, Freedy Johnston, Ephraim Owens, 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)

See also
  • Music of Austin

References
  1. "iamseela.com,” official website.
  2. Raoul Hernandez, " Seela, Something Happened," Austin Chronicle March 3, 2000.
  3. Jay Trachtenberg, "Old Man Time, Lament, One," Austin Chronicle April 23, 2004.
  4. Michael Pronko, " Concert Previews, LIVE Torch," Japan Times May 8, 2005.
  5. " Something's Cooking, Definitely Seela," Austin Chronicle July 12, 1996.
  6. Raoul Hernandez, " Something Happened review," Austin Chronicle December 3, 1999.
  7. Jim Caligiuri, " Hard Times Hit review," Austin Chronicle February 27, 2004.
  8. Chaiti Sen, "Now For Something Completely Different," Jaggery Lit November 20, 2013.
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