Women In World Music: Ourida and MEÏA

See our latest edition of Women In World Music series, with the alluring & talented voices of Ourida & MEÏA on June 18 at DROM.

Ourida

The separation between Algerian roots, American modernism and French chanson finds a common ground in Ourida’s avant-garde songwriting.

Ourida is a French-Algerian songwriter, singer, pianist, ukulele player and a Brooklyn resident who has experienced multiple uprootings and possesses a unique sound. Born in Paris, she also lived in Marseille before performing in Canada and Brazil. She released her first album ‘Monkeys’ (2010) - urban songs mixing folk rock, art pop melodies, world beat undertones and jazz grooves - before moving to New York City, playing in a trio with Jonathan Levy on bass and Joe Hertenstein on drums, in the most artistically diverse and experimentally creative clubs of the city.

Produced by Eli Crews (tUnE-yArDs, Marc Ribot…) and Ourida,‘Wings’ (2022) is an indie pop / art rock / alternative album with a touch of world music - a party of sensual songs about multicultural life and women’s freedom of expression, with lyrics full of imagery, translating emotions as directly as movies do.

After playing with the best musicians of the current scene, she’s now performing in quartet with Jeff Miles on guitar, Ari Folman-Cohen on bass and Wen-ting Wu on drums - a sound that sits out of any particular musical era.

“We can hear Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, and Nina Simone in her musical DNA.” (Sinusoidal music)

Read more about Ourida HERE!

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MEÏA

Meïa is an award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, and actor who started making music and a name for herself in Barcelona, Spain. After receiving her degree in Jazz and Modern Music Performance from ESEM Taller de Músics in Barcelona, she toured throughout Spain—building an audience and media buzz through her unique blend of musical genres. She released several records including the EP Mülzien 25, which was produced by Dani Vega, guitarist of the Spanish pop rock band Mishima , and the album Lighthouse with Spanish record label Picap.

Meïa relocated to New York City in 2018 and has continued to push herself artistically through collaborations with city-based artists and at a wide range of legendary music venues including City Winery, DROM, Nublu, and Joe’s Pub.

She has expanded her voice or composition skills by venturing into new genres, like experimental movement and acting, to strengthen her work and the stories she shares about womanhood. She released Stoop n° 6 in 2021, featuring two original works and two covers, with the support of the management company Paradise Hill Productions and singer-songwriter Kelsey Warren (aka Blak Emoji).

She most recently wrote an original score for the theater work Fantastic Mr. S, which premiered at the United Solo Festival at Theatre Row NYC in October 2022. Her latest single, "I Can't Stay Away From You," is a captivating jazz pop ballad that was released in June 2023. Produced by Morris Hayes and featuring a band of prestigious musicians, the song has already received accolades at international film and music festivals such as the 'Purple Sky International Film Festival' in Hamburg, Germany, and the 'Round the Globe Indie Film and Music Festival' in Oregon, USA.

Meïa has just released a new song, "Sexappeal," a reggae-pop tune inspired by Goddess Venus. Produced by M. Hayes, it is a part of the Round the Globe Project. Meïa will be premiering the song live on DROM's stage in a very special musical evening accompanied by pianist Hayley Lam. Meïa and Hayley will be playing some original songs as well as covers ranging from bossa nova and Spanish folklore to songs by T. Waits, Prince, J. Mitchell, and Tedeschi Trucks Band.

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