Artist description a cross pollination of Latin and North American Musical Influences that cuts across genre and language. Perla Batalla's Stunning vocals soar above an undercurrent of pulsing percussion and haunting harmony.Transitions from Spanish to English suddenly augment the many hues of these original compisitions, both within the songs as well as from one to another. The aptly titled work draws from a varied heritage. Batalla adds a powerful honesty with her captivating singing that leaves a haunting impression in the heart.

Artist History Long before setting off on her solo carreer, Perla Batalla's We have precious few moments of true musical discovery in our lives, but when that one song or singer lodges in the heart it is a treasure found and to be kept forever. A rare few artists command such a response; women like Amalia Rodrigues, Edith Piaf, Patsy Cline or Aretha Franklin, perhaps, whose emotional power is equal to their magnificent voices. We merely describe their talents in adjectives that can never match the thrill of hearing them sing. Hearing Perla Batalla's voice for the first time is an epiphany. One may go to hear the songs, but you end up feeling the joy and the pathos in the music like never before. There is a tone, a depth of emotion and a sublime expressiveness along with her transcendent voice that makes the experience unforgettable. One on hand there is that powerful vocal instrument, but on the other is her intelligence and instincts. This combination in Perla makes her singing a true gift. The seemingly effortless ability to make her music live and breathe is no accident of birth. Nor was it arrived at without much trial and tribulation. It is the product of practice, much experience, a love for singing and the good fortune of being born into a close family that valued the power of song. She was born in Los Angeles, California, to a father immersed in music; a Mexican singer and radio personality who also owned a bustling record store called Discoteca Batalla. At the store, literally at her Mother's knee, Perla was exposed to an education of non-stop music that cut across genres and languages. As a kid she heard everything from Javier Solis and Lucha Reyes to Muddy Waters and John Coltrane. Her far-ranging influences are reflected in the eclectic choices of songs she writes, arranges and performs today, from traditional Latino melodies to bluesy ballads with a contemporary twist. Yet, it is that voice that brings each song to a new light. Perla's musical education began in the record store but took on formality as she joined the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute on scholarship and eventually garnered roles in television and feature films doing vocals. Eventually she began touring and singing backup vocals with the legendary Leonard Cohen. In an enlightening five-year period of musical self-discovery, with Leonard's encouragement, Perla began to compose, arrange and write lyrics to her own compositions. She lived in Mexico and San Francisco, continuing to perform and honing her craft, singing everything from Gershwin at the Vine Street Grill to Mexican lullabies and originals at LunaPark, Largo and Genghis Cohen. She sang with k.d. lang, the Gipsy Kings, Was (not was), Iggy Pop and others.Still, she wanted to perform her own music and after being signed by legendary Electra Records founder, Jac Holzman, Perla set out on a solo career with her self titled album on Discovery-Warner in I993. Not surprisingly, the critics loved it, calling her singing "sublime" and her talent "stunning". When Jac Holzman retired in 1995, Perla discovered sadly that the Discovery label had now decided to mold her to a more “radio friendly” pop hit formula. After company execs declined to release her Spanish/English project due to “lack of commercial appeal” (note that the Latin explosion was to occur shortly afterward) She gained her freedom and released “Mestiza” on her own Mechuda Music label. Mestiza became an immediate favorite on Public Radio shows throughout the U.S. as well as being chosen as Amazon.com’s emerging artist “Best CD of 1999” and “Artist of the Year”. By the years end, “Mestiza” appeared in numerous top ten lists nationwide. Her latest CD release “Heaven and Earth“, also co-written with David Batteau, is in many ways a continuation of “Mestiza”, an inspired pilgrimage retracing mystic paths leading to the composite of myths, colors and cultures known as Mexico. The stops along the way evoke images of an ancient journey... The jaguar night Stalks the day It's love that she devours With colored strings To calculate The knots that mark the hours There was a molten mirror Now only walls remain Coiled in the vines of memories Wild as a hurricane... Both “Mestiza” and “Heaven and Earth” celebrate a powerful civilization born from the explosive marriage of separate worlds. A resplendent, vibrant culture nourished by mysticism, imagery, magic and myth. Perla's road to becoming an artist has been highlighted by delving into her cultural roots where rich soil awaited. The homage to her Latin background has opened up an entire world of music and has been an inspiration for some of her finest work. Early on, she merely sang beautifully, now she brings increased power and understanding to the songs she chooses to sing. Words fail when the exultation of music is described, but to hear Perla stand up to a microphone and sing from the heart is an experience to be savored and sought at every opportunity.

Group Members Perla Batalla, David Batteau, Deborah Dobkin, Simeon Pillich, Claud Mann

Press Reviews Amazon.com: Perla Batalla, a Los Angelina of Mexican descent, is possessed of a vocal gift so deeply expressive as to belong in a class alongside some of the best singers of our age: Hungary's Marta Sebestyen, Tibet's Yungchen Lhamo, and Portugal's Teresa Salguiero (Madredeus). To this list also add some sisters in contralto soul: the American South's folk-blues mistress, Karen Dalton, and Canadian powerhouse k.d. lang, for whom Batalla sang backup. Mestiza, Batalla's stunning second release,comes after several years singing with Leonard Cohen and various other artists. Batalla and guitarist David Batteau penned the record's 13 songs. Alongside Batalla's percussionist husband, Claud Mann, Batteau's fluid lines form the core accompaniment for the bilingual singer's smoky contralto. Mestiza is a marvel: a gorgeous, accessible piece of art with more soul than a plate of pork chops,greens, and cornbread. --Paige La Grone Minneapolis Weekly "This record reeks of soul, warmth and curiosity about what the hell life's all about that moves me deeply. The lyrics to the song "Iberia" hit awfully close to home. The concert at UCLA's intimate Schoenberg Hall was a full-fledged epiphany. One of the great voices of my lifetime. My first real experience with Latino-American pop. A self-released album without the distribution the quality warrants."

Location ojai, ca - USA

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