Shelly O'Brien aka Shellest

Also known as Shelley O'Brien, this singer-songwriter adopted the Russian name (which means 'sound of rustling leaves') as her company name and nickname three years ago after the release of her debut CD 'through'. Her Russian heritage is hinted at on the final track - an a capella folk song called Aliosha.

Hailing from the northern mountain town of Terrace, British Columbia, Shellest began performing at the tender age of three when, following an ill-conceived, although unforgettable, improvisational tap solo in front of an audience in the hundreds, Shellest's mom wisely replaced tap shoes for piano lessons.

An entertainer was born! (She still, however, suffers from the latent need to tap dance for others).

Shellest moved to Victoria at age 17 where she discovered acting, and while studying at university was accepted to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. After graduation, she followed a karmic force to Japan, where she studied Kendo and Japanese.

Since leaving Japan, Shellest released her CD in the wilds of the Yukon to rave review: Writer Dan Richardson wrote "mystic-sounding, jazz influenced with a Japanese flavour". It has since made its way into the hands (and souls) of those at record companies and radio stations across Canada and in Japan.

After two years abroad, Shellest has returned to Canada with Bento, her Japanese cat, and is happily spending much of her free time in the studio recording an EP follow-up to 'through' with a small group of musicians. Entitled "b.". the second release promises to be a collection of little enchantments.

Her voice, musicianship, and endearment for her songs shines through, both recorded and live. Descriptions are never like the real thing, but whimsy and depth both capture aspects of the Shellest sound, as do the rustling of the leaves. Come listen. You'll know.

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