Photo by
Kip Malone
Alana
is a songwriter, vocalist, bass player and
dancer...
With musical
influences like Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Joan
Armitrading, Nanci Griffith, Carlos Jobeem, Bill Whithers,
James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Stevie Wonder and Bob
Marley (to name a few), Alana has a rather eclectic sound.
Alana studied and performed ballet and music throughout her
childhood. She traveled from Australia, to Europe and
across the US. In her travels, she has learned many forms
of dance. She wrote her first songs performing in Reggae
bands at the age of 16 in Hawaii and on the mainland,
opening up for bands like Alpha Blondie in the mid 80's.
Alana writes her songs from a wealth of life experience
that ranges from teenage homelessness and raising her five
children as a single mother, to more common inspirations
like falling in and out of love. “I’ve always
seen songwriting as one of the most powerful ways to touch
people and make a positive impact”.
After years of mothering, working, and surviving as an
artist and wellness support specialist, she started her own
label, Embraced In Grace. “I had to find a
way to profit from my music career and have it work for my
family. I wanted to get my songs out and support other
artists like me, trying to make a positive impact through
music.”
Instead of trying fit into the music industry mold, she
decided to create a business structure in which she could
have a successful career as an artist. She’s hoping to
create a successful record label with a reputation for
social responsibility, fairness with artists and family
atmosphere, focussing on putting out music with a conscious
message.
“We want to
collaborate with non-profit organizations that are making
the most effective impact in these areas with fund-raising
concerts as well as giving 10% of profits earned towards
local and global solutions both socially and
ecologically”.
She is released her new CD, Sweet Deal, produced by Santa
Fe producer, Larry Mitchell, in October of
2010.
