Alela Diane Menig (b April 20, 1983, Nevada City, California, USA) is an American singer and songwriter, who is associated with the psych folk and New Weird America musical genres. She grew up singing with her musician parents and performing in the school choir. She taught herself guitar, and began writing songs which blend tense, trance-like arpeggios with warm vocals and meditative lyrics about family and nature. Her first recordings were self-released in 2003 as ?Forest Parade?. Her first solo public appearances were at the invitation of fellow Nevada City native Joanna Newsom. She also did a stint in the Nevada City slow grass band Black bear before continuing with her solo pursuits. The songs for her next album, ?The Pirate?s Gospel?, were written on a trip to Europe. They were recorded in her father?s studio and were initially again self-released in 2004, in paper and lace sleeves with hand lettering. The album was issued in revised form by

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