<
Click here for press info and one-sheet>
 |
“…an
energetic all-female acoustic combo that blends tuneful original
songs with outstanding vocal harmonies... In musical terms, you
could say that “near misses” means taking risks and having them
work out in an exciting, unexpected manner. That’s as close of a
definition of the Near Misses sound as you can get.”
- Jeff Eason, The Mountain Times |
The Near Misses
are an all-female trio featuring some of North Carolina's finest vocal
talent. The Misses perform an eclectic blend of originals, drawing upon
American roots, rock, pop, contemporary folk, country and jazz influences.
Their songs feature unforgettable melodies made complete by layers of
gorgeous harmony. Each one a gifted songwriter and musician in her own
right, together the Misses create a whole that is even greater than
the sum of its parts!
The Near Misses are currently touring throughout
the Southeast while frequently returning to Charlotte to work on their
first full-length studio recording. They are the recent recipient of
the “Best Band” Readers’ Choice Award for the 2006 Creative Loafing
“Best of Charlotte: International Edition.” The Misses were also the
recipient of the "Best New Band" Award in the Arts & Entertainment category
of the
2005 Creative Loafing Readers’ Choice Awards!
<
Visit our MySpace Site ! >
"There is no other
band like this...
all talented, all singing and all playing instruments.
The Near Misses vocals will take you to another level of listening.
Don't miss The Misses."
- Laine Harling, George Washington Bookstore & Tavern
<
Check out our Mountain Times feature by Jeff Eason ! >
INDIVIDUAL
MISS-INFORMATION...
Shana
Blake, a native Charlottean,
began her musical career as a vocalist in the children's choir at Garr
Memorial Church, staying active throughout her teenage years by participating
in their various choirs, ensembles and musicals. In the summer of 1991,
she embarked on a 3-month tour with the international ministry, The
Continental Singers. She continues the tradition of singing spiritual
music today at Church of the
Beloved. In addition to "church music", Shana has a love for opera,
Broadway, traditional & world music, which she cultivated during her
time with the East Mecklenburg High School concert choir. Upon graduating,
she performed at various events, such as MOM-O (Mothers of Murdered
Offspring) rallies, benefits for homeless shelters, radio sponsored
basketball games, etc. She opened for jazz hip-hop group US-3 at the
Pterodactyl Club and briefly delivered singing telegrams. In 1994, she
traveled to New Jersey to perform at the legendary Peppermint Lounge.
Around 1995, she was introduced to the Tosco
Music Party, a 20-year-old, living-room-style song circle party.
With her eclectic musical background, Shana fit right in and became
one of the first members of the Tosco Singalong Choir. As a result of
these parties, Tesser
was formed. The band played together for several years and released
an emotionally charged CD, entitled "Walk a Different Line". Shana has
since teamed up with fellow singer/songwriters Etta Lea, Eva Gael, Reeve
Coobs and Jill Lurie to form an all-female band, The Near Misses, for
which she is learning to play the bass guitar. Aside from performing
in music venues, she is an employee of StudioEast Recording Studios,
where she lends her vocal talents to a wide variety of sessions, sound-alikes
and karaoke, and has recently begun performing the National Anthem at
Charlotte Checkers games. Shana was deemed Creative Loafing's 2001 Critic's
Choice Best Female Vocalist and her vocal styles have been compared
to the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Faith Hill and India Arie.
Etta
Lea is a product of a southern Methodist choir-girl upbringing.
Her formative years in Old Church, Virginia exposed her to 70s country
radio via her momma, while her dad and his brothers regularly played
live bluegrass during family gatherings. Lea began writing poetry at
a young age, presenting one of her poems to the Virginia governor at
the age of 9. She was setting her poems to music during her high school
years, but songwriting was mostly on hiatus while Lea attended art school
at Virginia Commonwealth University. The gift of a guitar from her brother
led to Lea's first guitar class at college. Upon graduation, Lea moved
to the Charlotte area and began singing background vocals in her sister's
band. After her sister left the band, Lea wound up taking on lead duties
for the act, and she's been performing ever since. Lea has fronted and
written with several area bands including Binary Star, ISHI, Boaliri
and Terra Firma. In 2000, Lea was voted the "Best Female Vocalist" in
Charlotte, North Carolina by Creative Loafing. Nowadays, Etta Lea creates
and performs music that features lush vocals with acoustic and electric
guitar. Her arrangements vary from minimalist ambient rock to rollicking
americana. Songwriting influences include Sarah Harmer, Patty Griffin,
U2 and Grandma Chattin. Lea is the founder of QueenCityMusic.com,
a promotion and portal site for local bands in Charlotte that brings
artists and audiences together, as well as providing support and information
to musicians. She also books bands for the Evening
Muse, a great listening room and cafe in the NoDa Arts District
of Charlotte, North Carolina. Lea is a member of the Tosco
Music Party Singalong Choir. Lea continues to write, perform
and promote her original music locally, regionally and via the World
Wide Web, and she is especially pleased to be working with the estrogen-kickin'
vocal powerhouse ensemble the Near Misses.
Eva
Gael began singing as a toddler and has been singing ever since.
She began playing guitar as a young adult in rural Old Church, just
outside of Richmond, Virginia. Her early songs came quickly and powerfully,
and immediately established Eva as a musical force to be reckoned with.
In 1992 Eva moved from her hometown to the "new South" city
of Charlotte, North Carolina. Eva soon began hooking up with area musicians
for jam sessions and gigs. After a brief stint in a southern rock cover
band with sister Etta Lea, Eva returned to performing her original material
as a solo act. Eva is a singer-songwriter in the folk-rock tradition.
Powerful vocals and acoustic guitar deliver an appealing blend of catchy
hooks and intense lyrics. Eva was a finalist in the Charlotte Lilith
Fair competition in 1999. She has performanced at Living Art, the Double
Door, the Evening Muse, the Tosco Music Party, the NoDa Gallery Crawls
and as part of the Women of Folk Rock Showcase, which featured an awesome
cast of talented female songwriters. Eva has opened for Michelle Malone,
Kristen Hall and Kid Sister. She's also shared the stage with Christy
Snow, Deanna Lynn, John Dungan, and of course the fabulous ladies of
the Near Misses!
"These
girls utilize awesome harmonies, charming musicianship and great songs
to WOW audiences. Not to be missed for sure..." -
Jeff Williams, gogoPilot
