 'Lana was born. It was a sunny day and the birds were singing. Perhaps this is where she got it from? For years she sung to herself and composed for herself, too shy to let herself loose on the world , then one day (about 8 years since this all began) she decided enough was enough, it's time to battle the trembles and sing to the world. Portugal 1999 – 'Lana begins to let it rip: Jumping at the chance to steal the limelight, every time she passes a bar with a guitar, 'Lana rises to the stage and begins to play. Egged on by a warm reception and a love of the attention, upon returning to Leeds to finish her studies she throws herself into bands, recording projects and gigs. Singing funked up electronic dance music with the infamous Doctor Octopus, touring England with the magnificent and mighty Bluefoot Project, oohing and la-ing in the studio with Kabin Fever and enjoying a 3 month residency, Sunday afternoons with a jazz band. June 2002 – 'Lana decides it's time to move home and let loose on London. She joins drum n bass outfit Virtigo, backs up jazz diva Fiona Renshaw, still manages to tour with the Bluefoot Project, joins jazz/hip hop collective Thelonious and dips in and out of various other projects, making a quick stop at Glastonbury, Ronnie Scott's and the Jazz Café when duty calls. With guitar on her back she heads to open mic nights where she enjoys a fantastic reception and keeps on going. Hooking up with ole pal Tom Mansi (Tom Mansi +The Icebreakers) she makes some crazy tunes, develops her own music, and begins to tour the bars and clubs. With a mental archive stocked full of years worth of Tom Waits, Aretha Franklin, Ike and Tina, Janis Joplin, Ella, Nina, Sarah Vaughn, a bit of Neil Young, Beatles, Elvis and rock n roll Lana keeps on writing inspired by the tunes of days gone by. Now it's 2008. 'Lana ain't shy no more and she got a whole lot of shit to share. You can catch her dotted around the capital performing her songs solo and with band offering original music that supplies smiles and toe taps to the jazz standard, easy listening ballad crew as well as the dance crazy swingers and rock n rollers too! She's even got some beauties for the stoneheads and trippy kids and aint shy of a few beats. 'Lana's on a fast paced locomotive, chugging away and enjoying the ride. She's preparing to jump off at a few major, and some nice ditty ones too, gigs near you and see you from the stage in the summer festivals. Soon she'll have something for you to buy too. Watch this space. Follow that girl! |
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