Local singer/songwriter wows 'em in Europe

"Everything about the singer-songwriter's music - the plucked chords and haunted melodies; her warm, forceful voice; the measured verses about rifles and brambles and shadows - are out of time and untethered to place. Diane is a folk musician, but one who's armed with the intrepid spirit of an indie rocker and a strange, earthy soul ..." - Boston Globe

Alela Diane's debut CD, "The Pirate's Gospel," is now one of the fastest selling recordings in Europe and is No. 1 on the French pop music charts. And she'll soon be going there to dazzle her fans.

But first she's performing at The Center for the Arts, along with Black Bear and You're Welcome, in a show not to be missed, beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday.

Alela Diane grew up in Nevada City singing with her parents - Tom Menig of the Deadbeats and Suzanne Menig of Azulita ("I remember my parents singing in the kitchen every night and every morning") - and performing in the school choir. In 2003 she began teaching herself guitar and began writing her first songs.

"The Pirate's Gospel" is about personal re-evaluation and renewal set against the backdrop of generations past and future; mothers and fathers; life, death and birth. The songs were composed during a trip to Europe and recorded in her father's studio in Nevada City.

About her tour, the artist says: "We'll be touring England, France, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland starting in March. I'm excited to be touring with my dad, who'll be accompanying me, and my good friend Mariee Sioux, who'll be opening up the shows. On my last tour of Europe, I was amazed how people so far from home knew my music and came out to the shows. I'm particularly looking forward to playing La Cigale - a beautiful, 1,000-seat venue in Paris. Our show there has already sold out!"

Way to go, Alela! Send us a postcard.

Tickets for $10 are available in Grass Valley at the center's box office (530-274-8384, ext. 14) and BriarPatch and in Nevada City at After the Goldrush Records.

Lastly, go to www.thecenterforthearts.org to see the youtube.com clip of her - it is totally creative. No wonder her popularity is growing.