MISS DARLA Born to, fueled by, and driven completely by "mountain moonshine", Miss Darla is no stranger to music. Born in Virginia to a family of moonshiners, coalminers, and bluegrass/mountain music folk, she was destined to not only sing of her family heritage, but create new angles of perspective through her song-weaving skills. Though never formally trained and unable to read a "doggone" note of music, she claims music just has a way of finding and reading her!
With her ever eclectic and eccentric style, Miss Darla has lent her hand on guitar, harmonizing vocals, and/or as an Irish step-dancer with local bands Kitchenfire, Celtic Ensemble, Cobblestone, Skelpin, Joe Byrne, and An Carraig. She has appeared on KPBS's The Lounge and as a cast member in the San Diego produced Irish play "Aisling" and the return to vaudeville show "Beads, Bangles and Baggy Pants" as the Fiery Redhead. In her time away from the strings, Miss Darla works as a stylist at Studio Bleu in Hillcrest – although the favorite Sheela rehearsal space is at the salon...the acoustics are phenomenal.
LEE CHRISTIE Psychic phenomena is no accident! Knowing from the tender age of five that she would be a performer, Lee Christie has definitely found her home on the stage. Growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan within a musical family, Lee was classically trained on the oboe, flirted with voice lessons and has explored playing other instruments such as the piano and Irish whistle. Lee is currently taking on the task of playing various drums whilst singing within the Sheelas, and has become the integral "heartbeat" to the Sheela sound.... Her voice has been compared to that of an angel, and she has been known to pen a song or two in between climbing Mt. Whitney and snorkeling in the Caymans.
Don't let her size fool you. Standing tall at a whopping 4'11", Lee's love for tattoos, the outdoors, and premium Scotch whiskey measures up to any connoisseur of the like. Lee has sung in a community choir and has performed in musicals on stage, in an a capella gospel choir, as a wedding soloist and other random vocal events. A founding former member of San Diegan Irish band An Carraig, Lee has played with a variety of musicians including local Celtic group The Clachan Boys and nationally known folk singer Lojo Russo. Of Irish and Scottish descent, Lee enjoys singing both traditional and contemporary Celtic songs.
Sounds Like
Well...we've been told we sound like a female version of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, but in the mountains, drinking moonshine and singing of our kinfolk back in Ireland and Scotland.
Founded in 2004, Sheela-na-Gig – or "The Sheelas" as they are also
known – have played pubs, backyards, benefits, vaudeville shows, coffee houses and living rooms to eclectic audiences. The band is currently made up of founding members Miss Darla (guitar, vocals, harmonica, autoharp, occasional mandolin, banjo, and percussion) and Lee Christie (vocals, percussion, keyboard and Irish whistle) with occasional fiddle and guitar support provided by accomplished musician Paul Castellanos. You can find the Sheelas virtually every Saturday night at Phileas Fogg's in Poway, so come check us out!
Greetings my favorite Druid Goddess, so when do I get to hear all about your trip??? I want to hear all the details about the sun and the moon on the day of the solstice...the position of the Stonehenge pylons....their meaning....EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY!!!
I'd love some freshly baked bread with a little Lucious Jackson playing in the background...Yes, I will be there soon...within the next 4 weeks, im hoping...
Send me pictures!!!! Im so glad you rang in the summer soltice in the homeland! We will be in San Diego hopefully within the next month...of course ill keep you posted...lots of love!
Sorry we missed Phileas Fogg's last Saturday! We totally had plans to go but stuff came up (what else is new...?). Can't go this week 'cause we've got a Coffee House fundraiser that night, and then the 28th is the Games weekend (has it been a year ALREADY???). Are you really not playing there again the rest of the summer...?
Thank you for the nice comment.... I am not very techno either. Not bad for my first try. Carol helped me out, some. I can't give her all the credit..LOL. It is good to hear from you. Hope to see you Saturday night. Raquel
Miss D and and Miss L...I was inches away from heading to PFs after Wynola...but just could not muster the energy at the last minute. Thanks SO much. I will pass on your great healing energy. I am proud of Jon because he is keeping so positive and is even trying alternative things that have been suggested to me. I will let you know how Wednesday turns out.
