Wah!

by Kelly McCartney   Having practiced hatha yoga and meditation since she was a teenager, graduating from Oberlin College with a degree in Performing Arts was just another step toward becoming the singer/dancer/spiritual seeker known as Wah!. She took time post-university to travel to Ghana and Nigeria as a member of the Arthur Hall Dance Ensemble and live in an African shaman temple. Returning stateside, she spent a number of years composing and performing, most notably for the Angela Caponigro Dance Ensemble in New York City. To ease the spiritual gypsy side of her soul, she made a number of trips to India where her love of music, particularly kirtan (traditional Indian chant), was further enhanced. In the late ?80s, she began creating music products specific to hatha yoga practitioners for Cherdi Kala. In 1993, she expanded her vision and formed a band, also called Wah!. As a group, they performed at numerous pop festivals and chanting retreats. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1995, Wah! gained some recognition among the celebrity set, built a local following, and opened for Hole. Within a couple of years, Wah! released her first independent disc, Chanting with Wah!. Combining traditional Indian instrumentation such as harmonium and tabla with electric bass and western rhythms quickly became her signature sound. She followed up soon after with Transformation. Mid-1999 saw her offer yet another album, CD Krishna and connect with fellow kirtan proponent Krishna Das. She toured with him for several years playing bass, violin, and contributing back-up vocals. She also took a stint at the management reins for Das. Hidden in the Name, a double-cd set, came to light in 2001, as did Savasana.