associated_acts years_active alias birth_place label name background instrument genre article_title birth_name occupation
matt the electrician , torch , the jazz pharahos 1994-present seela cornwall , ontario , canada new improved music seela misra solo_singer guitar , bass , vocals folk , jazz seela misra
 seela misra singer-songwriter
seela misra

seela misra is a canadian-born singer/songwriter residing in austin , texas .
she was the lead singer of the jazz band torch and is also the back-up singer for matt the electrician .
seela is known for an expressive vocal range , `` one moment she rasps like a jersey deli queen , the next she 's cooing coquettishly . ''
this is evident in her solo work and when delivering jazz standards with the jazz pharaohs or with torch where she has been credited with `` unswerving hipness '' succeeding where others have failed `` in melding her own style with those from the past . ''
seela 's initial foray into recording , `` probably lucy '' -lrb- 1994 -rrb- conveyed `` a spare sultriness , '' and was called `` a languid acoustic romp through the varied terrain of the poetic heart , '' quickly selling out its first pressing .
`` dark and atmospheric , '' her follow up album , `` something happened '' -lrb- 1999 -rrb- , received criticism for inconsistent songwriting ; `` the head lady has not found quite enough songs to fill 56 minutes , '' while simultaneously admitting `` what her songwriting lacks in answers , it makes up for in mood . ''
indeed , depth of mood and emotion , thus far , has defined her career and stage presence : `` her stare is direct , like krishna contemplating radha , '' while her `` voice is her main calling card , soft and inviting , belying the darkness in her songs . ''
`` sonically compelling , '' seela is sought out in the austin music scene , adding vocals to albums across a wide range of genres , while complimenting numerous artists on stage .
seela released her fourth studio album , `` valentine '' in 2013 .
