IONA'S UPCOMING ALBUM 'BESIDE THE WAVES OF TIME' FEATURES -
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals & Shruti Box - Iona Leigh
Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals - Findlay Napier
Drums - Paul Jennings
Electric Bass - Collin Cunningham
Double Bass - Duncan Lyall
Pipes & Flutes - Jarlath Henderson
Violin & Viola - Gillian Frame
Harp - Mary Ann Kennedy
Piano - Kevin Webster
Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Shaker & Piano - Nick Turner
All songs written by Iona Leigh, with traditional sources referenced
All songs arranged by Iona Leigh, Nick Turner & Findlay Napier
Album Produced, Engineered, Mixed & Mastered by Nick Turner
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered at Watercolour Music, Scotland
Artist Manager - Rob Malcolm
Indie Label - Crescent Moon Records Ltd
IONA'S DEBUT ALBUM 'SPIRIT' FEATURES
All Vocals - Iona Leigh
Piano - Kevin Webster
All songs written, arranged and produced by Iona Leigh
Available via Iona's website, iTunes, and CD Baby.
Influences
Allison Kraus & Union Station, Frou Frou, Kate Rusby, Annie Lennox, Cara Dillon, Karine Polwart, Sade, Deva Premal, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Mike Scott & The Waterboys, Dolores O'Riordan, Loreena McKennitt, Van Morrison, Dixie Chicks, Deva Premal, Sheila Chandra, Sarah MaLachlan, Jewel, Crowded House, Mouth Music.
Sounds Like
" Iona Leigh's effortless vocal floats over a Celtic tinged folk backdrop" ...
Iona Leigh … A voice of delicate power and beauty ...
Iona Leigh’s unique sound has been described as gorgeous vocals floating over a Celtic tinged musical backdrop, with an intermingled sense of both tradition and the contemporary. A music critic recently claimed; "Iona is one of those ‘magical’ folk that see the world with different eyes … Iona’s music mixes songs of myth and magic, love and longing. These are songs driven by Iona’s deep desire to touch the mystery she sees in the world around her – and she does it with consummate grace and feel."
Iona’s talent for song writing is clear from her poignant lyrics, which make reference to nature, ancient legends and myths. But it is her striking voice, drawing comparisons to such individual vocalists as Loreena McKennitt and Sheila Chandra that heralds her arrival as a significant new artist. FolkWords wrote; "As pure as crystal, Iona’s voice alternately soars and pours through a collection of self-penned, borrowed and embellished poems, lyrics and tunes. Here there are roots buried deep in tradition mingled with deft touches of the contemporary. This is music with magical depth."
The Daily Music Guide gave Iona four out of five stars and said: “Despite hailing from Sydney [Australia], Iona Leigh’s foremost years were spent in a remote [eco-village and spiritual] community. Being brought up in a household where television was discouraged and the predominant musical output was her mother’s alternative collection, she might just as well have lived two generations ago. This has moulded a distinctly authentic musical output that is nevertheless accessible to all.”
These alternative musical influences, are uniquely captured in her 2009 album Beside the Waves of Time, as Music Journalist Toxic Pete recently explained: “Iona Leigh's unique melding of 'now' folk tinged with many elements of the traditional form is as restful as it is refreshing. Leigh delivers her nu-folksy songs with effortless sincerity and graceful serenity … [she] borrows time signatures and inflections from earlier times but sits squarely, slap-bang in the middle of twenty-first century … [and] Iona sure makes it sound original and tantalising.”
Just bought your latest CD which is brilliant. I bought Cd's by Caroline Lavelle and Beck Sian also-but though they are good I prefer your voice and arrangements-the album has a nice aura.
Hello Iona and thanks very much for the add... I can't believe it took this long to get you added as a friend... my fault entirely... come and visit our shiny new studio (when it's finished!). If you're a Facebook or Twitter addict we've just set up pages for that as well. Cheers from the Watercolour Team!
Hi Iona - thanks so much for your comment - I'm looking forward to meeting and hearing you too. I'm sure it will be a wonderful evening. Your voice is beautiful and so are your songs. Gina x
You're quite welcome, sweetie. I've already found the free downloads and purchased the download of your new CD. It is FANTASTIC! Thanks SO much! Have a great day!
Hi Iona, dont know if you are aware and probably you are, but there is a folk festival in Crawley from the 26th-28th June, tickets £35 for whole weekend,£17.50 for day, £12 for students,e.t.c, anyway thought you might be interested if you are not busy yourself gigging, there is a MySpace site and also you can google it as well, take care Bx
Hi! Thanks for accepting my friendship-request. Going to follow you / your music - really love that sound. Are you going on tour to Germany one day? Hope so... greetings, Kristen
It was my pleasure to play "Peaches In The Summertime" on my weekly, 30-minute podcast featuring mainstream, independent music. The direct link to the show is: http://indiemusicsampler.com/2009/04/17/ims-129/
In a few days, the song will also be added to Indie Music Sampler radio which plays out some of the best in independent music commercial-free 24x7.
Hi Iona, Congratulations on your CD release--that is exciting! I wish you much success with it--you have a lovely voice and singing style (in addition to your beautiful harp playing). Thanks for the friendship! Marie-Elena
