A World Fusion Weekend with Sheila Chandra and Otyken: The Echoes Interviews
Sheila Chandra is now a heralded singer lauded for her unique vocal style and global fusion heard on many albums including her ground-breaking trilogy on Real World Records: Weaving My Ancestors Voices, The Zen Kiss and Bonecronedrone. But that all began 40 Years ago with the group Monsoon featuring Sheila on vocals. They had a massive hit in England with the song “Ever So Lonely” and now, their debut and only album Third Eye is being reissued. Sadly, due to some complicated medical issues, Sheila cannot sing anymore and she rarely talks but she opened up to John Diliberto as they took a walk back to Monsoon’s Third Eye and the new deluxe package that has rare live performances, alternate takes, demos and B-sides.
The Siberian sound of Otyken. They are marrying a tribal sound of the native Chulym people with modern production and the ferocious voice of Azyan. We talked to them from their studio in Siberia where Azyan and Svengali Andrei Mendonos talk about horsehead fiddles, Jaw harps and the primal voice of Azyan. Their latest full-length album is Kykakacha and they’ve just put out a new single, “Legend.” Bundle up with Otyken on Echoes from PRX.