Ayla Nereo
 | This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (March 2022) |
Ayla Nereo | |
|---|---|
 Nereo in concert at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Folk, electronic, celtic |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, harp |
| Years active | 2006-present |
| Labels | Jumpsuit Records |
| Website | aylanereo |
Ayla Nereo is an American musician known for her solo work and her work with the duo Wildlight.
Early childhood and education
Ayla Nereo grew up in Sonoma County, California.[1] She was home-schooled by her parents until high school and was raised to appreciate nature from a young age.[2] Some of the music that she grew up listening to includes ABBA, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, and classical and traditional Celtic music.[1]
Career
Nereo studied psychology at college, and her artistic interests were dance and film-making. When she began learning to play the guitar, song lyrics started coming to her; Nereo describes her songwriting process as one of "channelling" songs. She began to write and perform music around 2005. Initially afraid to sing for people, she gradually overcame her fears, with the encouragement of her friends. [3]
Reviewer Sterling Martin has called Nereo's music "breath-taking" as well as "expansive and intriguing."[4][1] Another reviewer, Maddy Crandall, referred to her music as "soul music" with "conscious lyrics," pointing to the environmental and progressive values in her music.[5]
Nereo often plays at large music festivals, and has toured with bands including Rising Appalachia, Trevor Hall, and Nahko and Medicine for the People.[5]
Discography
Solo albums
- Play Me A Time (2006)
- Floating Felt (2009)
- BeHeld (2012)
- Hollow Bone (2014)
- Hollow Bone REMIXES (2015)
- The Code of the Flowers (2016)
- By the Light of the Dark Moon (2019)
With duo Wildlight
- Hers Was As Thunder (2013)
- Hers Was As Thunder (Remixes) (2014)
- The Tide (2015)
- The Tide (Acoustic) (2016)
- The Tide Remixes (2016)[6]
Personal life
Nereo lives in Nevada City, California. She is dating fellow musician David Sugalski, who performs as The Polish Ambassador. The two make music together under the name Wildlight.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Orlando, Cynthia (November 13, 2019). "AYLA NEREO, AN ARTIST TO WATCH". Portland Radio Project. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Havens, Lyndsey (October 19, 2016). "Ayla Nereo on the Planet Being Her Muse & Creating With The Polish Ambassador". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ Calvano, Jordan (August 5, 2013). "Wildlight: Hers Was As Thunder review + Ayla Nereo interview". The Untz. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ Martin, Sterling (September 25, 2015). "Wildlight (The Polish Ambassador + Ayla Nereo) release The Tide". The Untz. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Crandall, Maddy (October 14, 2019). "RISING APPALACHIA + AYLA NEREO TO PLAY THE OGDEN THEATRE". Grateful Web. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ "Ayla Nereo". Bandcamp. Retrieved February 4, 2022.