Chitral now Power Quests’ vocalist
by Mahes Perera
Chitral Somapala moves into the spotlight again!
 This time as the lead vocalist for the melodic metal band Power
Quest. The band is led by the Welsh born Steve Williams who formed Power
Quest in 2001 and released four studio albums, toured extensively and
appeared at numerous festivals. Chitral on his part struck up a
friendship with Steve based not just on a mutual love for rock music,
but on cricket and rugby. Early this year Steve Williams found that his
vocalist was not working out as he hoped which made him invite Chitral
to step into the breach. Steve was quite sure that Chitral’s vocal
ability, all round musciainship and live experience was just what Power
Quest needed.
When Chitral accepted the offer, Steve was more than happy. “I’m
delighted to have recruited a vocalist and frontman of Chity’s calibre.
We have often talked about working together and now we have that
opportunity. Three songs have already been recorded with him and they
sound immense”, commented Steve. The fact that Chitral was now the lead
vocalist for Power Quest was formally announced worldwide in May 2010.
Power Quest with Chitral are in the pre-production phase for their
fifth album “Blood Alliance”. Steve has written 15 songs for the record
and the CD will be recorded at Foel Studio in Wales next month
(September 2010) and will be released in early 2011 worldwide by Napalm
Records. In South Asia, the CD will be available through the
Marquee/Avalon label with whom Power Quest has worked since 2003.
The future for Chitral Somapala and the band Power Quest looks
bright. The band plans to tour as much as they can and the members
guarantee an “awesome live show with lots of melodies that will stick in
your head for a long while after the gig”.
La Dolce Vita
 Seventeen-year-old singer
Natalya Gunaratna will be staging her debut concert La Dolce Vita today
at 7pm at the British School Auditorium. She has chosen to hold the
concert to raise funds for the Sunshine Charity, a non profit charitable
trust dedicated to helping Sri Lankan children affected by the loss of
one or both parents in the tsunami, the conflict and poverty in
Trincomalee. The Sunshine Charity which was founded in December 2005 now
runs a Day-care centre as well in Sambathivu, Trincomalee.
Ever since she was just four years old, Natalya used to sing in her
own style entertaining her parents and visitors to her home. Her formal
training in singing started with Mary Ann David and her singers. Highly
talented Natalya was in drama with Bishop’s College, the Workshop
Players and with the British School of Colombo. Recently she played the
role of Sandy in the school’s production of the musical Grease. For her
young age she is a remarkable performer of jazz and blues and has sung
at impromptu performances with various musicians at the sessions
presented by Jazz Unlimited.
At the concert Natalya will sing some of her compositions and will be
joined by two young singers Niamh Evans from the Overseas International
School and Natalya’s sister Aitana. Accompanying Natalya on piano will
be Eshantha Pieris supported by Sumudu Suraweera on drums and Isaac
Smith from New Zealand an acoustic bass.
M.P.
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