Read and comment on this story from The Dunn County News on Mauritania RPCV Shauna Wells who just released her first CD - Burn Up the Sun - that brims with tales of old lovers and old cars, in addition to more serious material dealing with world events and her experience as a special education teacher. Wells' songs are unique and organic, going beyond the modern folk's focus on the confessional. She tackles topics on politics and gender with a thoughtfulness that is never in your face or whiney. Read the story at:
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Wells performs at Acoustic Cafˇ
Shauna Wells
The Acoustic Cafˇ is hosting an evening of acoustic music with award winning singer/songwriter Shauna Wells on Saturday Feb.15, at 8:30pm.
Shauna Wells performs lyrical, acoustic pop music with a folk bent and a contemporary style. A Michigan native, Wells writes songs on topics ranging from migrant farm workers to Ford Pinto cars. Wisconsin Woman magazine describes her as "One of Wisconsin's finest songwriters."
Wells is a charismatic singer-songwriter whose infectious melodies and powerful vocals have launched a great breath of musical fire into the contemporary folk scene. Her first full-length release, Burn Up the Sun, (October 2002) brims with tales of old lovers and old cars, in addition to more serious material dealing with world events and her experience as a special education teacher.
Wells' songs are unique and organic, going beyond the modern folk's focus on the confessional. She tackles topics on politics and gender with a thoughtfulness that is never in your face or whiney.
"Think Joni Mitchell and Pete Seeger, tempered with pop and rock so it doesn't come off with so much sentimentality." (Poynette Press).
Wells' live performances are playful and honest, with humorous anecdotes that endear her to her fans. Lyrical and intimate, her voice is soothing with a touch of folk and jazz and a little angst thrown in for good measure.
In addition to guitar, she also accompanies herself on the bass dulcimer, adding new textures to her already captivating style.
"A solid band led by the voice of an angel . . . wonderful original music, remin- iscent of a young Joni Mitchell. The Shauna Wells Band should be on everyone's must-see list." (Bill Bale, musical director, Art Fair Off the Square, Madison.)
Although new to the music scene, Wells' life experiences make you feel as though she is a seasoned performer. A former Peace Corps Volunteer, she began taking her songwriting seriously while living in Mauritania, West Africa.
Upon returning to the states, she began to wow audiences in her new home in Madison as one of the lead singers in the pop band Verb. In 1998, she took up the guitar and made her successful debut as a soloist.
Wells currently plays out solo and with The Shauna Wells Band throughout the Midwest. Don't miss this great performer in her first Menomonie show!
The concert will be at the Acoustic Cafˇ, 102 Main St., Menomonie on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 8:30 p.m. No cover. More about Mauritania RPCV Shana Wells
Shauna Wells performs lyrical folk music with a unique pop style and a contemporary edge. A Michigan native, Wells writes songs on topics ranging from migrant farm workers to Ford Pinto cars. Wisconsin Woman Magazine describes her as“One of Wisconsin’s finest songwriters”.
Wells is a charismatic singer-songwriter whose infectious melodies and powerful vocals have launched a great breath of musical fire into the contemporary folk scene. Her first full-length release, Burn Up the Sun, (October 2002) brims with tales of old lovers and old cars, in addition to more serious material dealing with world events and her experience as a special education teacher. Wells’ songs are unique and organic, going beyond the modern folk’s focus on the confessional. She tackles topics on politics and gender with a thoughtfulness that is never in your face or whiney. “Think Joni Mitchel and Pete Seeger, tempered with pop and rock so it doesn’t come off with so much sentimentality." (Poynette Press). Wells’ live performances are playful and honest, with humorous anecdotes that endear her to her fans. Lyrical and intimate, Wells’ voice is soothing with a touch of folk and jazz and a little angst thrown in for good measure. In addition to guitar, she also accompanies herself on the bass dulcimer, adding new textures to her already captivating style.
Although new to the music scene, Wells' life experiences make you feel as though she is a seasoned performer. A former Peace Corps Volunteer, she began taking her songwriting seriously while living in Mauritania, West Africa. Upon returning to the states, she began to wow audiences in her new home in Madison, Wisconsin as one of the lead singers in the pop band verb. In 1998, she took up the guitar and made her successful debut as a soloist. She currently plays solo and with The Shauna Wells Band throughout the Midwest.
“A solid band led by the voice of an angel . . . wonderful original music, reminiscent of a young Joni Mitchell. The Shauna Wells Band should be on everyone’s must see list.” Bill Bale – Musical Director, Art Fair Off the Square, Madison, WI.
Shauna Wells is ready to expand her horizons to new audiences throughout the Midwest. A rare gem of a talent among singer-songwriters, don’t miss this great performer who is sure to please.
Quotes
“On Wells’ self-released CD, “Burn Up the Sun,” she further establishes herself amid a thriving scene of singer-songwriters, as she pays loving tribute to folk in its pure form - think Joni Mitchell and Pete Seeger – tempered with pop and rock so that it doesn’t come off with just so much sentimentality . . . In a perfect world we would hear many more musical voices of depth and conviction like that of Shauna Wells.” (Gary Mays)
“One of Wisconsin’s finest songwriters.” (Wisconsin Woman)
(CD Review of Burn Up the Sun) “Wells is an area singer-songwriter with an attraction to big subjects. “Libertad,” her salute to the United Farmer Workers and migrant advocate Cesar Chavez, gets plenty of Latin kick from a full backing band and political power from the Spanish choruses. (Burn Up the Sun) . . . shows admirably honest expressions of Wells’ personal journey, making good use of her high, confident voice.” (Tom Laskin, Isthmus Newspaper)
“It’s a straight-forward debut from a talented songwriter, whose classically trained voice, and eye for lyrical detail have drawn audiences to coffee houses and clubs in Madison and increasingly, around the Midwest . . . There’s tradition and earnestness and subtlety in her voice that begs the listener in, and provides for lyrical flights of fancy.” (Poynette Press)
“With a bright, warm voice reminiscent of Joan Baez, Shauna delivers songs interwoven with issues, friends and dreams. Spicy acoustic grooves and clear-eyed visions make “Burn Up the Sun” sizzle and Shauna soar.” (John Noyd, Maximum Ink Music Magazine)
“A solid band led by the voice of an angel . . . wonderful original music, reminiscent of a young Joni Mitchell. The Shauna Wells Band should be on everyone’s must see list.” (Bill Bale – Musical Director, Art Fair Off the Square, Madison, WI,) Click on a link below for more stories on PCOL
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