Miranda Jay - acoustic soul
I have been writing songs since the age of 19 when I first got a guitar while travelling in Thailand. My guitar has been a great friend over the years while learning to play it has also sometimes been a great challenge. Sometimes when I am falling asleep or in waking moments, I hear the most exquisite music, with cello and piano and I yearn to capture it.
Writing songs has been my way of making sense of my life's experience and is my natural inclination towards soul expression. I have always had a good ear and memory for music and languages since I was a young child. I played violin when I was old enough to hold one, then moved on to years of piano, then finally percussion before giving up formal music lessons at the age of 13.
In 2005 I met Anita Daulne from the accapella group Zap Mama and sang with her and 5 other women in a 7 part harmony Afro/European polyrhythmic harmony group called Mayaka, which means 'necklace' in Ningala - the language of her mother's native country, the Congo. This name came from the idea that each voice is like a bead on the string of harmony. I have always loved African music and it was a great joy to learn from such an experienced singer and performer who has such joie de vivre and passion for sharing song.
When I moved to New Zealand in 2008, I did backing vocals as part of a trio for SL Macombee and The absolute Truth. Through the Birth into Being work, I met Sun Hyland, who is an incredible chef and musician. Sun was catering for our training retreat when we met. The next time I went to Melbourne, I sang on a track called New Day on his album, entitled Wake Up. We workshopped the backing vocals in the studio and recorded them immediately - this is the end result!
Writing songs has been my way of making sense of my life's experience and is my natural inclination towards soul expression. I have always had a good ear and memory for music and languages since I was a young child. I played violin when I was old enough to hold one, then moved on to years of piano, then finally percussion before giving up formal music lessons at the age of 13.
In 2005 I met Anita Daulne from the accapella group Zap Mama and sang with her and 5 other women in a 7 part harmony Afro/European polyrhythmic harmony group called Mayaka, which means 'necklace' in Ningala - the language of her mother's native country, the Congo. This name came from the idea that each voice is like a bead on the string of harmony. I have always loved African music and it was a great joy to learn from such an experienced singer and performer who has such joie de vivre and passion for sharing song.
When I moved to New Zealand in 2008, I did backing vocals as part of a trio for SL Macombee and The absolute Truth. Through the Birth into Being work, I met Sun Hyland, who is an incredible chef and musician. Sun was catering for our training retreat when we met. The next time I went to Melbourne, I sang on a track called New Day on his album, entitled Wake Up. We workshopped the backing vocals in the studio and recorded them immediately - this is the end result!
You can hear more tracks from Sun's album here: http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_8116111
Sun's songs are uplifting and get the crowd singing along, and his singing circles in Melbourne, Byron and beyond are a great joy to attend, weaving some of his own songs in with devotional kirtan.
In the summer of 2012 I did backing vocals with Susie Ro who is also a wonderfuly gifted voice and songwriting coach. We performed her songs at Wildheart gathering, Sunrise Celebration, Buddhafield, Small World and colourfest. Susie teaches fantastic harmony workshops all over the south of England. Her beautifully crafted website showcases her work.
This summer 2013, I performed solo at Buddhafield festival. It was a joy to share the new songs that have been birthed which feel like love songs of the source, to the source.
I'm in the process of recording a demo, then the next step will be to record and release an E.P.
To be continued...
Sun's songs are uplifting and get the crowd singing along, and his singing circles in Melbourne, Byron and beyond are a great joy to attend, weaving some of his own songs in with devotional kirtan.
In the summer of 2012 I did backing vocals with Susie Ro who is also a wonderfuly gifted voice and songwriting coach. We performed her songs at Wildheart gathering, Sunrise Celebration, Buddhafield, Small World and colourfest. Susie teaches fantastic harmony workshops all over the south of England. Her beautifully crafted website showcases her work.
This summer 2013, I performed solo at Buddhafield festival. It was a joy to share the new songs that have been birthed which feel like love songs of the source, to the source.
I'm in the process of recording a demo, then the next step will be to record and release an E.P.
To be continued...