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We are pleased to present three songs arranged and performed by Elya Finn, from her new album, When I Met You. Infused with a romanticism that will chill your mind as it warms your heart, these songs present a balance between unfettered hope and utter cynicism. Cheerful, optimistic lyrics of love are balanced with a voice that speaks of danger, risk, and the ever-present possibility of betrayal. The lyrics, written specifically for Elya's voice by Michael Rothenberg, speak in a perpetual doubletalk that conveys more honest romance than could possibly be communicated with mere sincerity. Elya's sensual voice and Siberian accent will flawlessly transport you to the thin line between lies and absolute truth. Check out the three songs we present here: "Little Lies," "Time," and "Big Eyes." And be sure to read Mary Jo Malo's review of When I Met You. —JP
Elya's first songs, created in collaboration with various lyricists were performed for a Russian Puppet Theater directed by Svetlana Smelansky in San Francisco. She met Rimma Goldman, a poet and lyricist, who wrote the Russian lyrics to Elya's songs. These were pop and folk-based songs. Then in 1997 Elya began working with poet-songwriter, Michael Rothenberg, whose avant-garde sensibility rubbed off on Elya, and the collaboration became the basis for her present work. As noted Jazz writer David Meltzer describes, Elya Finn's new CD When I Met You, "Elya Finn's songs sound like Weimar Lenya & postwar Nico, lushly affirmative at the same time being edged w/ cosmic weltschmertz. "
Elya's song "The Fair"(written with Michael Rothenberg) was nominated "The best song of the year 2003" in the West Coast Songwriters Competition. She continues to write and arrange music, and is working on a new album and performing "Balka" a Russian folk band in which she sings traditional Russian songs and plays original Russian instruments.
Known as "The Russian Princess" Elya Finn performs her original songs around the San Francisco Bay Area, and continues to teach classical piano, jazz, vocals, songwriting and composition. Check out her web site at ElyaFinn.com.
The music of Elya Finn remained on Unlikely 2.0 for one year, then was removed for reasons of space and copyright.
Elya Finn's songs are not available for download, but instead can be heard right here on the web site. If you don't see a jukebox above, try downloading Flash player.