- published: 02 Oct 2012
- views: 122141
Alela Diane Menig (born April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an American singer and songwriter living in Portland, Oregon.
Alela Diane Menig, grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as Forest Parade. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black Bear before continuing with her solo pursuits.
The songs for her album, 'The Pirate’s Gospel', were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father’s studio and were initially self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by Holocene Music in October 2006, and received widespread critical acclaim.
A new song, "Dry Grass and Shadows", was issued on a compilation of Nevada City artists, and five more new songs were issued on a limited-edition 10" vinyl pressing, Songs Whistled Through White Teeth, released in the UK in October 2006. The Pirate's Gospel was released in the UK on Names Records in April 2007, garnering favorable reviews in The Times and NME.
When the day, when the day falls to the light
At the end, oh the end of my time
I call to the dark take the bones off my back
And I chant to the black you were my lady divine
'Cause my children are in hiding
Mortor and pestle they grind
Those songs whistled through white teeth do scuff the days
With songs for children to sing
Those songs whistled through white teeth do scuff the days
With songs for children to sing
When the chairs are tucked into the fading song
And the silver of their pours has grown long
Oh, they call to the dark, take the bones off my back
And they chant to the black you were my lady divine
And they bloat like a bitter wine in their bellies
'Cause the bones have been removed
From their hunched over backs
And their children are all grown now
Mortor and pestle they grind
Those songs whistled through white teeth still scuff the days
With songs for children to sing
Those songs whistled through white teeth still scuff the days
With songs for children to sing