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ESKA | English Skies
Please stay tuned for announcements on debut EP release
and live dates for 2013
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Upcoming Events
- London, UK
- London, UK
- Kingston Upon Thames, UK
- London, UK
- Glasgow, UK
- London, UK
- Sete, France
- Tisno, Croatia
- Kent, UK
- Manchester, UK
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Live
- 6th March
ESKA @ Singer & The Song, The Islington, London
23rd March
ESKA Headline Show @ The Albany, Deptford, London
7th April
ESKA @ Acoustic Sundays, St. Peter's Church, De Beauvoir, London
14th April
ESKA @ Voice ~ 1st Instrument, Vocal Workshop & performance, Charlie Wright's, London
27th May
ESKA @ Jazz in the round, Cockpit, Marylebone, London
7th July
ESKA (DJ) @ Charlie Wrights, London
14th July
Sydenham Arts Festival
more dates to be announced shortly...
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Sets
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Favorites
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Tweets
- RT @peteeverett RT @CORNERSTONEfun: RT @eskaonline: RT @paulsimongill Oxford ppl need 2 go 2 this "@ESKAonline: gig TONIGHT @CORNERSTONEfun
- So so excited! RT @lesgensvaljean RT @AmShenz: @ESKAonline @ @gnaouafestival [Morroco juin 2013] CANT WAIT https://t.co/qnoUd4rn5p
- Thanks for listening :) RT @SpaceyBlak A new favorite: BOUNDARIES (rehearsal) by @eskaonline http://t.co/4s6Rl4v4FC on #SoundCloud
- Please do, Aaron :) RT @Aaron_A_Gordon @ESKAonline that's awesome!...always wanted 2 choreograph 2 The Road but song is so sacred...
- DIDCOT! See you tonight with @ReubenHollebon @CORNERSTONEfun 7.30pm TICKETS: http://t.co/AkJqRnAfPx"
- @MaraCarlyle: If you liked the Ex-Factor film, check out the other by @Wjjmason @ESKAonline @hejira_info on @SCChannel's Youtube channel.
- Loved it. Sent it to Henry & Sam RT @Aaron_A_Gordon @ESKAonline @tendertemper glad you like it! I'm a huge fan. Your voice is so unique!
- @GroundedSound sorry I didn't make it to Manchester BUT 2moro I'll be @CORNERSTONEfun Fri 17 May 7.30pm TICKETS: http://t.co/CeSpE7Gd3m"
- RT @paulsimongill Oxford ppl need to go to this "@ESKAonline: performing @CORNERSTONEfun Fri 17 May 7.30pm TICKETS: http://t.co/AkJqRnAfPx"
- RT @paulsimongill Oxford ppl need to go to this "@ESKAonline: performing @CORNERSTONEfun Fri 17 May 7.30pm TICKETS: http://t.co/CeSpE7Gd3m"
- SING IN A CHOIR NEXT WEEK for @gwynethherbert album launch at @wiltonmusichall. DETAILS on @goldensemble FB page > http://t.co/JPJ4DKCWfC
- @a_hewson @goldensemble FB: http://t.co/JPJ4DKCWfC details for choir needed NEXT WEEK for @gwynethherbert album launch at @wiltonmusichall
- @AliceAliceGrant @a_hewson @joesethnewman @goldensemble @eskaonline do follow us on facebook for season updates + other choir opportunities
- IT'S AMAZING!RT @JoeSethNewman @a_hewson I can't recommend @goldensemble enough mate!! Wonderful choir run by @ESKAonline & @AliceAliceGrant
- HAHAHA! :)RT @tendertemper: @ESKAonline dear have you seen this coooool dance to Mr McGee by @Aaron_A_Gordon --> http://t.co/KZRaM600v6 ??
- THANK YOU! RT @repairyoursoul: that Theo Parrish @Soundsignature tune with @ESKAonline oh my word! serious music
- TUNE! RT @UpRiseFestival: Music with a Message: ‘Look into the Light’ by @rowdysuperstar never let ur torch blow out. http://t.co/A3M4XFQ2V7
- RT @marcwithasee: "@ESKAonline w/band @TheAlbanySE8 Sat 25 May 7.30pm supported by @ReubenHollebon & @lucy_cait http://t.co/SWc7G5vV9k"
- DIDCOT! I'll be performing @CORNERSTONEfun this Friday 17th May, 7.30pm with support from @reubenhollebon. TICKETS > http://t.co/CeSpE7Gd3m
- CHECK OUT 'Ivy' by @Lucy_Cait supporting me @TheAlbanySE8 25 May BUY TICKETS > http://t.co/3e3KyWqJ2L
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Biog
ARTIST | COMPOSER | PRODUCER
Zimbabwe-born and London-raised composer ESKA comes from a rich musical background. As a vocalist, her legendary virtuosity has attracted the attentions of a host of acclaimed artists – the likes of Tony Allen and David Sylvian, to name a few. Her vocal arrangements have credits on 3 Mercury-nominated albums. For her solo project, she chose to work alongside one of her most recent collaborators, artist-producer Matthew Herbert. As a conductor, ESKA has led a 150-voice choir for Bobby McFerrin and is Music Director for Goldsmiths Vocal Ensemble (University of London) who have performed with Matthew Herbert’s Big Band and alongside ESKA on her full length debut of English Skies at Queen Elizabeth Hall.
ESKA is a voice already heard by millions, but until now it’s not arrived at the opportunity to shine in a space of its master’s own making. She’s taken her time for good reason: this is music that walks a fine tightrope, the slightest breath enough to unsettle the serenity it so effortlessly conjures. Though her boisterous performances of the past decorated the output of Zero 7, Matthew Herbert and The Cinematic Orchestra to great effect, here the emphasis is on tranquillity over tumult. Settle back, sink into it; surface when you’re ready, take your time.
But don’t mistake ESKA for an artist with chill-out intentions, clichéd as such a route is – her music wears its experimental tendencies on its sleeve, and proudly so. Equally, although blessed with a powerful voice, easily on a par with any chart-topping diva you’d care to mention, she doesn’t belt it out for the sake of doing so. Instead, ESKA uses her vocals in intriguing ways, layering them to form new levels in the instrumentation, complementing self-penned compositions and arrangements laid-down by means both conventional and absolutely not, invention and expression always paramount in her mind. Lyrics drift in and out of focus, meaning dissolving and ambiguity every bit as essential to the overall message as direct narratives.
If you’re after a hook to hang this music on, with its nuanced structure and inquisitive playing, the best available is perhaps that of folk. But ESKA is unlikely to be confused with traditional purveyors of the genre past or present, her assemblage of myriad elements leading to motifs that point the way forward rather than retreating into the past. Just as her friends and sometime musical partners The Invisible merged styles from across the spectrum to arrive at their Mercury-nominated sound, ESKA’s ear is tuned to composition comprised of constituent pieces that only ever complement one another. That they come from across the sonic spectrum is a moot point when the seamlessly structured end product is processed. The joins are conspicuous by their absence, scrutiny derailed by the inherent beauty on show.
Throughout her career ESKA has attracted the attentions of a host of acclaimed artists, many of whom she has later worked with – the likes of Tony Allen and David Sylvian do not associate themselves with any old vocalist who passes their creative windows. Now, though, ESKA is the one throwing the shutters open, looking out onto the world through her own eyes. That she likes what she sees is indubitable; and that all and sundry will be seduced by the sounds she brings with her, equally unequivocal.
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Contact
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GENERAL INFO & LIVE BOOKINGS
info@thewheelonline.co.uk
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FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/eskaofficial
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/eskaonline
SOUNDCLOUD: www.soundcloud.com/eskaonline
YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/eskaonline
BLOG: www.englishskies.com
