Chela Rhea Harper

Chela Rhea Harper (often mentioned as Chela Rhea or Chela Harper) Born Nov 15th, 1984 Place of origin: Canada Bassist @ White Empress, Singer/Songwriter/guitarist/bassist @ VII (facebook.com/thebandvii), Bassist @ Coal Chamber (Reunion Tour 2011-2013). Chela (Sarasvati EP) - Vocals, guitar, bass, some form of pseudo hand drumming and programming. Coming from a musical family and a mixed cultural background exposed Toronto born Chela Rhea to a wide range of influences and diverse musical styles. Her parents and aunts and uncles had carved out successful careers, garnering Juno and Grammy accolades along the way. Chela was introduced to the recording studio when she was still in a bassinette and by the time she turned seven was singing background harmony on the CD Wisdom Of The Heart. Chela’s father, Carl Harvey (Toots & The Maytals), a renowned guitar player and producer was on the road a lot and would leave his vintage guitars in her safekeeping. The fact both parents play guitar may be why, at 16, Chela gravitated to the bass. When her family moved north to a lake in Haliburton, she sought out musicians whose playing she admired. Engineer and multi-instrumentalist, Ryan Chalmers (Mindsight/Born Destroyers) and guitar connoisseur Justin Hie (Wolves of Anson) agreed to help her. They taught her songs by Tool, System of a Down and Rage Against the Machine. By the second lesson she was bringing in her own compositions and before long had pulled together a band. ‘Labyrinth’ played at school coffeehouses, open stages, and local arenas in ‘Battle of the Bands’. Labyrinth was the perfect appellation for the journey Chela had embarked on. “It appears to be a maze,” she says. “But if you follow the path you’ll reach your destination.” ‘Oversoul’ and ‘A Distant Mirror’, written during this period, are still part of Chela’s repertoire. She recorded her first six song demo at Chalmer’s basement studio before moving to Toronto to take a course in Recording Sciences at Number Nine.