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, mandolin, banjo and guitar support provided by accomplished musician Paul Castellanos. You can find the Sheelas frequently at Wine Steals, R. O'Sullivans and other venues around San Diego, so check our calendar and then come check us out!
Miss Darla and Lee, It was great hearing your music at Wine Steals and getting to meet you! I love your CD and am listening to it now! Hope to see you again soon! Happy Samhain! - Erin
HEY!!...great to see you and S at the Viking Festival...I miss you ALL...miss D....can't wait to see you one of these days!!...Hope you are well....I am going to try and get to P Foggs on the 17th or 18th of Oct..whichever it works out to be....HUGS!!!
