Azure

Collection Contents

#		Title	Length
1		Find Me Here	3:24	Play
2		Better Left Unsaid	3:31	Play
3		Crimson Lips	4:20	Play
4		Nothing Seems Real	3:30	Play
5		Bewildered	3:18	Play

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Description

a r t i s t b i o g r a p h y

Born Elaine Sijera Lachica in Baltimore, Maryland, Elaine began studying piano, violin and singing at age 3. Growing up with a musican mother, Elaine performed and listened to all genres of music in particular classical, jazz, musicals and British and American pop music. Major music influences include the Cocteau Twins, Tori Amos, Nick Drake, Radiohead, Cassandra Wilson and Bach.

At 18, while studying classical voice at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, she formed a band called 'Azure' with guitarist Nito Gan and drummer Blaise Keller. Azure's blend of vocal layers upon hypnotic guitar/keyboard atmospherics won them positive press, radio airplay and performances at colleges and clubs throughout the east coast. As a soloist at Peabody, Elaine toured Italy, performed opera, premiered music by Peabody composers, collaborated with visual artists from the Maryland Institute of Art for multi-media pieces and was awarded the Woodhead prize for Voice.

Elaine graduated from Peabody and studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. Afterwards she moved to New York and began freelancing as a classical singer with the New York Collegium and the Waverley Consort performing and touring throughout the U.S. all the while composing songs. In 2000, Elaine was awarded a Beebe fellowship to study abroad at the Royal College of Music in London. She finished writing songs for '9' in London then returned to the U.S. and produced and recorded her debut CD for a 2002 release. Described as "alternative-soul fused with electro-acoustic soundscapes", songs from '9' receive international airplay and critical acclaim around the world.

In 2004, Elaine released her 2nd LP 'Apolune'. This current album reveals her multilayered sound as well as vocal and instrumental arrangements that are more ambitious in scope. Some songs on 'Apolune' showcase a different writing style delivering a more immediate straightforward indie-pop. Currently she plays shows with New York drummer Ryan Cavan and bassist Rich Chapple. Ryan and Rich recorded drums and bass for 'Apolune' and help to create a more dynamic live show. Elaine performs her music throughout the east coast where she has played shows at The Vault in Baltimore, CB's 313 Gallery, The Sidewalk Caf, Acmeunderground, Freddy's and Vibe in New York City

a r t i s t w o r d s

'Azure' was my first band circa 1993-1996: Nito Gan on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and percussion, Blaise Keller on drums and me on vocals, bass and synths. We were going for an "alt-soul-indie-pop" sound-hypnotic guitars over groovy bass, live drums and breathy vocals. This EP is a polished version of our best songs.

'Find me here'. We had fun with the rhythms here. The tribal drums and the sweeping vocals - I loved all of the vocals answering back and forth.

'Better Left Unsaid' was a bit romantic. In fact there was even a Spanish guitar solo in the first recording (which we took it out for this version). Emotional restraint, unrequited love and young lyrics

'Crimson Lips'. This song falls somewhere between desire and obsession. We were going for a very sensual feel.

'Nothing Seems Real' grooved to a subdued funky rhythm over an understated soul. I loved the contrary motion in the melodic lines.

'Bewildered' was the first song 'Azure' song. It started out as a teenage lovesick song but the droning bass line and chant-like vocal line turned it into a breathy lullaby.


We had a lot of fun and worked very hard. Nito and Blaise are immensely talented musicians and great guys. These days Blaise still plays drums and lives in San Francisco with his wife Melanie. Nito is a doctor in Baltimore and he still writes music in his spare time. Dr. Gan is also a fabulous recording engineer who still helps me out when I'm having a technical panic frenzy in the studio.

For me Azure was a great experience. I learned how to write a song and I had a lot of space to explore and experiment with sound.