Ayla Nereo
Ayla Nereo is an incomparable singer/songwriter who has traversed festival stages and benefit events from coast to coast. Her new CD, The Code of the Flowers, reaches heights that tap a direct line to the heavens, as her strong and captivating voice leads transcendent harmonies.
With an array of loop-pedals by her side, she builds layer upon layer of vocal melodies into fierce, sweeping harmonies and weaves syncopated threads of guitar, kalimba, piano, and percussion into each performance. Her lucid storytelling and lyrical imagery are water for the thirsty soul. Raised on opera, 1960s folk, and psychedelic rock, Ayla’s music touches both the timeless and modern, where prayerful circle songs, mantras, and roots music meet ancient beats and folktronica. Ayla’s performances are each their own inspired journey, an enchanting, poignant experience that holds you by the heart and doesn’t let go.
Her inventive style, lyrical mastery, heartfelt folktronica, and overflowing sense of unique artistry invite a jaw-dropping response. Her lyrics beg for growth and change at the deepest levels of existence.
Imagine Enya-esque vocal layering merged with festival-ready music and earthy vocals that reach to the heavens and into your heart. The Code of the Flowers was created with guest musicians MaMuse, Herr, Leonard, Lydia Violet, Amelia Rae, Brian Parks, and Jesse Hendricks.
This is the music of returning to yourself, a reminder of your deepest nature. Ayla’s weaving of natural and spiritual images tell of a desire to be something bigger, to understand loss, and to experience love fully. But above all, Ayla live is where it’s at! There is a CD release concert for The Code of the Flowers on Nov. 19 at TMS Performing Arts Center, San Rafael (near the JCC). Visit DanceMarin.com for details. AylaNereo.com
—LLOYD BARDE (LLOYDBARDE.COM)