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Luke Janela is a cellist, guitarist and singer and songwriter who plays distinctive, emotive music rooted in the tradition of innovative rock that combines aspects of classical and electronica. He currently hails from the woods of Northern California.

Luke’s innovative use of the cello yields fascinating results. As opposed to using the instrument to create soft harmonies or classical embellishments, he puts the cello in front of the sound, played in a way that is rare: raw, intuitive, and creative. His technique is solid, and it is clear that the instrument is not a gimmick. By also immersing himself in electronic beats and the art of recording, he combines his guitar, cello, vocals and beats into a truly distinct sound.

In July 2007, Luke released his eighth full length “Midnight Door”. The accumulation of two years of work and travel, the album is a mixture of many influences, ranging from classical, to pop, to rock, to electronica. In writing songs while on the road, he imparts a sense of motion, from the swirl of urban to the dark unknown of the desolate. The album plays like a soundtrack to a life changing road trip.

Luke Janela lived in Portland, OR for several years and developed a following there after playing nearly every major venue. He has recorded regularly with bands and songwriters, and has toured the west coast as a solo artist and in different bands. He has played cello and guitar for 18 years and earned a Bachelors Degree in Music from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with an emphasis ..o performance and technique, as well as music history and theory.

Midnight Door is Luke Janela’s finest work to date. It is an accomplished, smart album full of genuine revelation and innovation. “Luke Janela… writes amazing music. His voice is rich and honest, glimmering with harmonies, and buoyed by beats and the shivering pull of the cello…” - Portland Mercury.