MELA: April 2013

About MELA

MELA, lead by singer-songwriter Melanie Closs, is a folk music project of original tunes that features an eclectic mix of piano ballads and world folk songs played on Ukulele about distant lands. The name MELA comes from an international nickname that Melanie Closs took on while traveling in Asia. It is also a Sanskrit word that means "gathering of people" or "festival". Mela is inspired by found poems and Shakespearean songs.

Featuring: Angad Singh (guitar)

Cody Rahn (Percussion)

Alex Minier (Upright Bass)

Elsa Nilsson (Flute)

Concetta Abbate (Violin, Viola)

Nidia Medina (Vocals)

All songs written by Melanie Closs

Influences: Carole King, Damien Dempsey, The Swell Season, Ben Folds Five, Midlake, Laura Nyro, Melanie, Joni Mitchell, Lisa Loeb, Rufus Wainwright, travels to distant lands.

Private Lessons

Mela provides private lessons for beginners and children in voice, guitar, and ukulele. She focuses on laying down a technical foundation but encourages students to play and sing the songs they love, instilling a love of the instrument. Mela comes from a musical theatre background and has been teaching drama and music for 10 years in Boston, San Francisco, India, and New York City. She has a BA in Theatre Education from Emerson College and Level 1 Certificate in Orff-Shuelwerk. For more information on private lessons, please inquire: theothersidenyc@gmail.com

Monday, April 22, 2013

Mela in India (playlist)