island entertainment presents

The Sheyana Band

description

Influenced by the classics and drawing inspiration from their deep Tassie roots. The Sheyana Band fuse the stylistic flavours of Australian Rhythm & Soul, Southern Country Pop, Americana inspired Roots & Blues, with English Funk, Rock & Punk. In the groove they serve it with passion in a delightful delivery of powerhouse vocals, brilliant musicianship and heartfelt songwriting. Receiving national & international recognition & airplay, their captivating live shows have seen them share the stage with Australia’s finest including Deborah Conway, Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Mojo Juju, Gang of Youths, Renee Geyer, Diesel, The Angels, Kevin Borich, Ian Moss, Bill Chambers and Fanny Lumsden.

London born, Tasmanian based, award winning singer-songwriter Sheyana has been hooked on music since early childhood. The soulful Celtic/Sri Lankan storyteller is perfectly complimented by her stellar band, featuring Tassie’s finest musicians, with iconic guitarist/vocalist Wayne Rand, seasoned, rock solid bassist Dan Jeffrey, and powerhouse drummer/vocalist Leigh Hill.

The Sheyana Band’s latest EP Ricochet came together during covid lockdown in Tasmania. Making the best of a bad situation and with plenty of time to reflect, Sheyana and the band focused on songwriting, and the the music emerged from those strange, uneasy times. The songs were the lights at the end of the tunnel, at a time when we were both separated and unified. Through the music and the artwork, this EP is a tribute to the loved ones we’ve lost along the way, and the big hearts working towards a higher love and respect for one another and our planet.
During covid lockdown in Tasmania, Sheyana turned a negative into positive, dug deep, pushed boundaries and found different ways to produce her music. Her funding, received from the Arts Tasmania "Arts Recovery Support Initiative grant, helped to assist in the making of the bands EP Ricochet.

With the success of The Sheyana Band’s sold out single & album launches across Tasmania, their new music is currently getting national airplay, charting on Australian Blues and Roots Chart, Soundslike Cafe playlist along with some great national and international album reviews & editorials.

Nationally, The Sheyana Band’s first single & music clip Big Hearts from Ricochet EP, was premiered by Australian music group Scenstr in 2023.  Internationally, YESFM Sri Lanka recently premiered “Big Hearts” single which has come in at No 8 on Yes Home Grown Charts, along with airplay on blues radio in Europe.

The Sheyana Band have just released their second single Remarkable Man from their Ricochet EP, which is already gaining airplay around Australia. The band are planning to tour East Coast Australia in 2024, along with some live shows in Sri Lanka.

Nationally they won “The Chris Wilson Award” for Emerging Act of Year” with their album Big Love in 2018. Debuting at No 11 on the Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Charts, The Sheyana Band also went No 2 on AMRAP Regional Charts & No 1 on Soundslike Cafe Playlist in 2019 with their single “Soul Sister” from Big Love album.

The Sheyana Band received a top ten hit on YESFM Radio Sri Lanka in 2016 with their single ”Keep the Change” along with a Best Act nomination.

Sheyana’s 1st single “Undone” from her debut EP - Sweet Honesty was well received in Sri Lanka with its 2011 release.

Sheyana also scored a blues award with OzSong International Songwriting Competition in 2011 for her song “Two Birds”. This song also made it to the finals in “FreshAir” ABC National Songwriting Competition.

The Sheyana Band have been a favourite act at these major Tassie events:

Skyfields 2017-2018

Forth Valley Blues Festival 2018

Party In The Paddock 2018-2019

Fruits of the Roots 2019

Festival of King Island 2020

Red Hot Summer after party 2021

Junction Arts Festival 2021

Riverbend Blues Festival 2023

Forth Valley Blues Festival 2024

audio sample

It’s not every band that can boast a Top Ten hit single in Sri Lanka, but that’s what happened in 2015 for Tasmanian four-piece The Sheyana band, courtesy of London-born Sri Lankan singer, songwriter and guitarist Sheyana Wijesingha.

Rhythms Magazine Review

Sheyana knows what to do with an audience. Her soulful vocals and guitar are a breath of fresh air

Diesel (Mark Lizotte) Australian Musician

The Sheyana Band tear up the highway with their killer riffs, swampy swagger and earth-shattering front lady Sheyana. These songs pack a punch with outstanding musicianship and intelligent lyrics

Tunedloud-Usa Review