Aliah Selah

Aliah Selah is a mystic yogi health-nut, new thought rocker, comedian peace activist - dancing on the edge of creative possibilities.
She is a charismatic performer & prolific songwriter who knows how to connect with, & move an audience. A pro performer with countless live performances playing her songs in clubs, cafes, events, & festivals around the world. Performing solo, acoustically with life/band mate Paz, or their band SPIRAL. She writes & performs on keyboards where she showcases funky rhythmic tunes & mystical ballads. Both share her soulful voice & insightful wisdom - allowing her to stand in a light all her own."
- -Buddy Gills WhereItsAt Music

Aliah Selah is a mystic yogi health-nut, new thought rocker, comedian peace activist - dancing on the edge of creative possibilities.
She is a charismatic performer & prolific songwriter who knows how to connect with, & move an audience. A pro performer with countless live performances playing her songs in clubs, cafes, events, & festivals around the world. Performing solo, acoustically with life/band mate Paz, or their band SPIRAL. She writes & performs on keyboards where she showcases funky rhythmic tunes & mystical ballads. Both share her soulful voice & insightful wisdom - allowing her to stand in a light all her own."
- -Buddy Gills WhereItsAt Music

Aliah Selah's Thursday night (8-10pm) performance is a hidden treasure of the San Diego area. This magnificent young woman inspires all who happen upon her singing in the Moonlight on the outdoor patio of Miracles Café in Cardiff by the Sea. After hearing her songs a few times, I have of course developed some favorites but perhaps the first song that I began singing along to was “Who We Is”, a soulful piece about being true to yourself. Others include “Bless The Water” about Tibetan Monk’s who came to bless Barton Springs (in Austin where she last lived) as developers threaten the delicate watershed eco-system. According to Aliah, the companion song “Luna: Tree Of Life” was given to her by Spirit in a dream - where a Native American Medicine Man asked her to thank Julia Butterfly Hill who lived in a Redwood tree she named “Luna” for 2 years to help save the 1000 year old forest. “Communication Blues” and “Dandelion Wish” are another pair of companion songs that ironically enough are about developing interdependent love. Another powerful song, “Bring It On”, is a great tune that Aliah was inspired to write because of the recent need again for peace activism that's been going strong since the 60’s, if not way before. She introduces it with: "The peace movement is older and wiser now and ready to take on those who are foolish to think that anyone can win a war – I say we’re ready, so. “Bring It On!”" She ends the song with a chant for peace. She is full of vibrant healing energy. Her positive, funky, rock songs are really catchy and ring true as much as her poetic mystical ballads - layered with meaning that help us to feel calmer about our changing world. Her music celebrates the now in all its glory… while her message of peace and healing lingers.


-Catherine Deane
Vision Magazine/ Nov 2003 - Vision Magazine/ Nov 2003

Aliah Selah's Thursday night (8-10pm) performance is a hidden treasure of the San Diego area. This magnificent young woman inspires all who happen upon her singing in the Moonlight on the outdoor patio of Miracles Café in Cardiff by the Sea. After hearing her songs a few times, I have of course developed some favorites but perhaps the first song that I began singing along to was “Who We Is”, a soulful piece about being true to yourself. Others include “Bless The Water” about Tibetan Monk’s who came to bless Barton Springs (in Austin where she last lived) as developers threaten the delicate watershed eco-system. According to Aliah, the companion song “Luna: Tree Of Life” was given to her by Spirit in a dream - where a Native American Medicine Man asked her to thank Julia Butterfly Hill who lived in a Redwood tree she named “Luna” for 2 years to help save the 1000 year old forest. “Communication Blues” and “Dandelion Wish” are another pair of companion songs that ironically enough are about developing interdependent love. Another powerful song, “Bring It On”, is a great tune that Aliah was inspired to write because of the recent need again for peace activism that's been going strong since the 60’s, if not way before. She introduces it with: "The peace movement is older and wiser now and ready to take on those who are foolish to think that anyone can win a war – I say we’re ready, so. “Bring It On!”" She ends the song with a chant for peace. She is full of vibrant healing energy. Her positive, funky, rock songs are really catchy and ring true as much as her poetic mystical ballads - layered with meaning that help us to feel calmer about our changing world. Her music celebrates the now in all its glory… while her message of peace and healing lingers.


-Catherine Deane
Vision Magazine/ Nov 2003 - Vision Magazine/ Nov 2003

Aliah Selah’s sophomore release Shades of Images is layered with radio-ready pop rock gems, jazzy contemporary smoothies and danceable contagious rave/rock. This album has brought out Aliah’s sultrier gypsy-temptress side, while still remaining grounded by her earth mother wisdom. Her critically acclaimed debut CD, Acoustic Perfume, featured on local radio stations (KUT, KGSR, KLBJ, KOOP, KVRX, & KTSW) and was sold-out to new age and pagan herb and book stores, midwives, massage therapists, and crystal toting Lilith Fair women.

This new collection of songs is Aliah's best work to date, thick with lush vocal harmonies and revealing an array of styles that will offer her music to an even a wider audience. The dimensions of her sound and her ability to write songs that are easy to relate to, should cause this album to sell-out quickly, just like her debut album did.

Shades of Images opening track “Little Shelf” starts unfolding atmospherically - providing a surreal backdrop for the mystery implied by Aliah’s siren whisper as she lures the wandering traveler to her shores. The rest of the songs lead you through vocal surprises and lush arrangements of easy music to listen to... drift off to... and dance to. Each tune glides into the next in a cosmic flow of jazzy vocal lines, that can also rock with a psychedelic edge on cuts like “What Is So?” and “Dig Deep” both modern stand-out tracks, with major commercial appeal.

The title track “Shades Of Images”; is about a shoe box of poetry that's collected throughout the years and has the luminous quality of acknowledging, if not celebrating, growth through mistakes. Aliah's poetic vocals echo raw honesty, whether dressed in pop radio ready arrangements or drifting off quietly to linger as on the track “Silence Fills Sound”. The yearning cry of an artist seeking solace is grounded in the jazzy soul searching of her earth angel voice. The story of “Captain Jack” (who'd “seen a little too much of life”) has a smoky, speakeasy feel. “Sweet Life” teases with an eager to please tempo, before ending interestingly with a vocal arrangement that sounds like monks chanting... fading off into the distance. “Listen” has a mid-eastern allure reminiscent of the Beatles’ guru phase, with music that feels like the swish of veils whirling seductively around the room and the twang of a lingering sitar. The track with the most original and fresh sound is “Come Alive”- pop-ish vocals set to the continuous primal rhythms of didgeridoo and tablas where the ceaseless cadence tugs you helplessly to your feet to dance. A psychedelic infused danceable version of Joni Mitchell's “Woodstock” that Aliah calls “Back to the Garden” rounds out the album. Once again, her new CD Shades Of Images, is definitely something unique among the normal Austin scene.

Shades Of Images was produced by Aliah herself, along with her partner Paz Rheinstein and jazz rock guitarist Mitch Watkins, (Lyle Lovett, Bruce Cockburn) whose production credits include Austin favorites Abra Moore (Arista Records) and Bob Schneider (Universal Records). Seven of the twelve songs were recorded at Watkins’ studio The Institute with Watkins on guitars, layered pads, and drum programming, Mike Hynes (Abra Moore, Panic Choir) on fretless bass, Paz adding additional guitars & flute, and Aliah providing vocals and keys. This album has a rich, velvety weave throughout the many textures and tilts of Aliah's songwriting and story telling. The last three songs were recorded at the couple’s own Peacefarm Studios. “What Is So?” and “Dig Deep” are performed & co-written by bassist Justin Gray who also did the drum programming and with the addition of Bruce Salmon’s (Joe Rockhead, Alejandro Escovedo) swirly, whirly synthesizers.

Shades Of Images available for purchase online at: www.broadjam.com/aliahselah
also at Aliah's gigs as well as Austin record stores.

-Sharon Jones
Austin Daze
March /2003 - Austin Daze March /2003

Aliah Selah’s sophomore release Shades of Images is layered with radio-ready pop rock gems, jazzy contemporary smoothies and danceable contagious rave/rock. This album has brought out Aliah’s sultrier gypsy-temptress side, while still remaining grounded by her earth mother wisdom. Her critically acclaimed debut CD, Acoustic Perfume, featured on local radio stations (KUT, KGSR, KLBJ, KOOP, KVRX, & KTSW) and was sold-out to new age and pagan herb and book stores, midwives, massage therapists, and crystal toting Lilith Fair women.

This new collection of songs is Aliah's best work to date, thick with lush vocal harmonies and revealing an array of styles that will offer her music to an even a wider audience. The dimensions of her sound and her ability to write songs that are easy to relate to, should cause this album to sell-out quickly, just like her debut album did.

Shades of Images opening track “Little Shelf” starts unfolding atmospherically - providing a surreal backdrop for the mystery implied by Aliah’s siren whisper as she lures the wandering traveler to her shores. The rest of the songs lead you through vocal surprises and lush arrangements of easy music to listen to... drift off to... and dance to. Each tune glides into the next in a cosmic flow of jazzy vocal lines, that can also rock with a psychedelic edge on cuts like “What Is So?” and “Dig Deep” both modern stand-out tracks, with major commercial appeal.

The title track “Shades Of Images”; is about a shoe box of poetry that's collected throughout the years and has the luminous quality of acknowledging, if not celebrating, growth through mistakes. Aliah's poetic vocals echo raw honesty, whether dressed in pop radio ready arrangements or drifting off quietly to linger as on the track “Silence Fills Sound”. The yearning cry of an artist seeking solace is grounded in the jazzy soul searching of her earth angel voice. The story of “Captain Jack” (who'd “seen a little too much of life”) has a smoky, speakeasy feel. “Sweet Life” teases with an eager to please tempo, before ending interestingly with a vocal arrangement that sounds like monks chanting... fading off into the distance. “Listen” has a mid-eastern allure reminiscent of the Beatles’ guru phase, with music that feels like the swish of veils whirling seductively around the room and the twang of a lingering sitar. The track with the most original and fresh sound is “Come Alive”- pop-ish vocals set to the continuous primal rhythms of didgeridoo and tablas where the ceaseless cadence tugs you helplessly to your feet to dance. A psychedelic infused danceable version of Joni Mitchell's “Woodstock” that Aliah calls “Back to the Garden” rounds out the album. Once again, her new CD Shades Of Images, is definitely something unique among the normal Austin scene.

Shades Of Images was produced by Aliah herself, along with her partner Paz Rheinstein and jazz rock guitarist Mitch Watkins, (Lyle Lovett, Bruce Cockburn) whose production credits include Austin favorites Abra Moore (Arista Records) and Bob Schneider (Universal Records). Seven of the twelve songs were recorded at Watkins’ studio The Institute with Watkins on guitars, layered pads, and drum programming, Mike Hynes (Abra Moore, Panic Choir) on fretless bass, Paz adding additional guitars & flute, and Aliah providing vocals and keys. This album has a rich, velvety weave throughout the many textures and tilts of Aliah's songwriting and story telling. The last three songs were recorded at the couple’s own Peacefarm Studios. “What Is So?” and “Dig Deep” are performed & co-written by bassist Justin Gray who also did the drum programming and with the addition of Bruce Salmon’s (Joe Rockhead, Alejandro Escovedo) swirly, whirly synthesizers.

Shades Of Images available for purchase online at: www.broadjam.com/aliahselah
also at Aliah's gigs as well as Austin record stores.

-Sharon Jones
Austin Daze
March /2003 - Austin Daze March /2003

“ Aliah Selah's second album Shades Of Images is as eclectic and beautiful as the life she has lead. As a peace activist, visual artist, songwriter, musician and performer. Aliah speaks of empowerment, transformation, and awareness. The album mixes her gorgeous voice with the delicate poetry of her words. Added is a pop-rock, almost 70's sound that has the power and immediate sense of now.
The music is both timeless and current, rambunctious yet meditative.
Fans of Joni Mitchell will surely appreciate Aliah Selah,
she is a new force to be reckoned with.”

-Trevor Watson
- Vision Magazine October 2003

“ Aliah Selah's second album Shades Of Images is as eclectic and beautiful as the life she has lead. As a peace activist, visual artist, songwriter, musician and performer. Aliah speaks of empowerment, transformation, and awareness. The album mixes her gorgeous voice with the delicate poetry of her words. Added is a pop-rock, almost 70's sound that has the power and immediate sense of now.
The music is both timeless and current, rambunctious yet meditative.
Fans of Joni Mitchell will surely appreciate Aliah Selah,
she is a new force to be reckoned with.”

-Trevor Watson
- Vision Magazine October 2003

Before this gig even started, we knew we were in for something different- the normally plain Flipnotics stage was graced with purple flowing fabric. The mystical atmosphere carried through the performance with songs reminiscent of early Stevie Nicks or Joni Mitchell. Playing keyboards and singing "Acoustic Perfume", the title cut off her 1st CD, Aliah Selah takes the audience for a musical journey. Her down to earth spirit shines through her bluesy vocal style that can coo into a mysterious sensuality. Other songs that stood out were "Shades Of Images", the title cut of her newest CD and "Captain Jack", a bitter sweet tale about a Laundromat philosopher. Aliah's music has a timeless and enchanting quality that is a welcome alternative to the regular Austin scene. - Texas Beat

Before this gig even started, we knew we were in for something different- the normally plain Flipnotics stage was graced with purple flowing fabric. The mystical atmosphere carried through the performance with songs reminiscent of early Stevie Nicks or Joni Mitchell. Playing keyboards and singing "Acoustic Perfume", the title cut off her 1st CD, Aliah Selah takes the audience for a musical journey. Her down to earth spirit shines through her bluesy vocal style that can coo into a mysterious sensuality. Other songs that stood out were "Shades Of Images", the title cut of her newest CD and "Captain Jack", a bitter sweet tale about a Laundromat philosopher. Aliah's music has a timeless and enchanting quality that is a welcome alternative to the regular Austin scene. - Texas Beat

A review of one of Aliah's
10 MINUTE MAX performances:

"The act which stood out this
evening was Aliah Selah.
Combining all elements
of the creative arts
(music, dance, drama, & art)
Aliah's performance represented
the essence of
an interdisciplinary artist.
After her brief monologue
she danced to her own song
"Split Second Inspiration"
around an hour glass
and took the audience
on a mind walk through time." - Texas Beat

A review of one of Aliah's
10 MINUTE MAX performances:

"The act which stood out this
evening was Aliah Selah.
Combining all elements
of the creative arts
(music, dance, drama, & art)
Aliah's performance represented
the essence of
an interdisciplinary artist.
After her brief monologue
she danced to her own song
"Split Second Inspiration"
around an hour glass
and took the audience
on a mind walk through time." - Texas Beat

This years first A2A Music Festival was scheduled to happen, just weeks after the September 11th tragedy. Soon after it occurred, it was then dedicated to victims & their families. Singer/songwriter & spiritual activist, Aliah Selah performed Friday Night, at De Brokke Grond Theater, (on the 17th of October, 21:00) as part of the A2A Music Festival Showcases. Messages of peace are needed now more than ever & Aliah returned to Amsterdam,
with 2 new songs... written since this life changing events.

In this live performance, Aliah began mysteriously… chiming Tibetan bells. Then, she began playing, her keyboard as she spoke about the first song "Bless the Water." This song was magically born a week before Tibetan Monks came to bless Barton Springs... a development endangered spring in Austin, Texas, where she lives. Interestingly enough, she wrote it not knowing they were coming. She still continues to ring these bells as a reminder of the monk's blessing.
Recently, back at home in Austin, she was inspired to do a peace centered event (not a "anti-war" one). Together with Peacefarm (Peacefarm is her & her husband Paz's intentional community group home) Aliah watched as the event made itself happen... and the We Here Now Holiday Peace Bazaar idea took on a life of it's own (and was covered on News where she first coined 'The Now Generation"). Everyone who got involved understood the energy that was building through this event & how it made them feel empowered to respond in celebration to our connection after the world events we all shared. Peacefarm wants to do more events in the future to build community spirit & give help to others with real needs. This holiday happening was a benefit for" Food Not Bombs" which really hits the essence of where the emphasis for peace comes, especially during the Holidays when many of these fine folks don't have a home for Christmas, let alone Christmas dinner & gifts under the tree.
www.weherenow.net is dedicated to being a network that helps to connect other "Solutionaries of the Now Generation" who want to see what they can do to empower themselves & others towards inner & outer peace. Her CD's Acoustic Perfume & Shades Of Images are soon to be available at www.aliahselah.com. As well as 2 more that she's in the studio with now Wildflowers, that will showcase her Spiritual Activist songs like: "Luna- Tree Of Life"- & "The Holy City" and Being Bare that will reveal more of her intimate songs about inner growth, & getting to what's real- who we is.

-Shema
Austin Daze

- Austin Daze

This years first A2A Music Festival was scheduled to happen, just weeks after the September 11th tragedy. Soon after it occurred, it was then dedicated to victims & their families. Singer/songwriter & spiritual activist, Aliah Selah performed Friday Night, at De Brokke Grond Theater, (on the 17th of October, 21:00) as part of the A2A Music Festival Showcases. Messages of peace are needed now more than ever & Aliah returned to Amsterdam,
with 2 new songs... written since this life changing events.

In this live performance, Aliah began mysteriously… chiming Tibetan bells. Then, she began playing, her keyboard as she spoke about the first song "Bless the Water." This song was magically born a week before Tibetan Monks came to bless Barton Springs... a development endangered spring in Austin, Texas, where she lives. Interestingly enough, she wrote it not knowing they were coming. She still continues to ring these bells as a reminder of the monk's blessing.
Recently, back at home in Austin, she was inspired to do a peace centered event (not a "anti-war" one). Together with Peacefarm (Peacefarm is her & her husband Paz's intentional community group home) Aliah watched as the event made itself happen... and the We Here Now Holiday Peace Bazaar idea took on a life of it's own (and was covered on News where she first coined 'The Now Generation"). Everyone who got involved understood the energy that was building through this event & how it made them feel empowered to respond in celebration to our connection after the world events we all shared. Peacefarm wants to do more events in the future to build community spirit & give help to others with real needs. This holiday happening was a benefit for" Food Not Bombs" which really hits the essence of where the emphasis for peace comes, especially during the Holidays when many of these fine folks don't have a home for Christmas, let alone Christmas dinner & gifts under the tree.
www.weherenow.net is dedicated to being a network that helps to connect other "Solutionaries of the Now Generation" who want to see what they can do to empower themselves & others towards inner & outer peace. Her CD's Acoustic Perfume & Shades Of Images are soon to be available at www.aliahselah.com. As well as 2 more that she's in the studio with now Wildflowers, that will showcase her Spiritual Activist songs like: "Luna- Tree Of Life"- & "The Holy City" and Being Bare that will reveal more of her intimate songs about inner growth, & getting to what's real- who we is.

-Shema
Austin Daze

- Austin Daze