ESKA: Women Make Music

The Gatekeeper EP was released independently on ESKA’s Earthling label at the end of November 2013 to a glorious reception. Now, the Gatekeeper Tour follows – the first series of performances outside of her home town that she has made as a solo artist.

This song-cycle is is an ode to those who have closed and opened doors in our lives and to the doors that we have opened and closed on others. Written and performed by ESKA accompanied by a 4-piece group of multi-instrumentalists, the Gatekeeper Tour will be a strong and important prelude to the release of ESKA’s full-length album debut in 2014.

However, ESKA is the most talked about, revered, internationally known singer you’ve never heard of. Having garnered a titan reputation as a songwriter, musician, performer and choral conductor, her legendary vocal virtuosity has attracted the attention of a host of critically acclaimed artists. She has written for and collaborated with the likes of Grace Jones, Cinematic Orchestra, Matthew Herbert, Baba Maal, Zero 7 and Nitin Sawhney to name a few. Her vocal arranging features on 3 Mercury-nominated albums. ESKA has led a 150-voice choir for Bobby McFerrin and leads the Goldsmiths Vocal Ensemble (University of London).

Her debut solo material has finally let the secret out of the bag; a stirring and deep mix of acoustic, electronic, folk, soul and psychedelia – steeped in many traditions and echoes of the past – and yet achieving the wholly new and surprising, as unique in production and arrangement as it is in her vocal gift.

Images by Rebecca Bellantoni