HOUSE OF SHAKIRA Parts Ways With Singer, Announces Replacement

April 16, 2010

Swedish melodic rockers HOUSE OF SHAKIRA have parted ways with vocalist Andreas Eklund and replaced him with Andreas Novak (NOVAK, MIND'S EYE).

Commented bassist Per Schelander, "It's hard for us to believe that it was 13 years ago in 1997 that Andreas Eklund walked into our rehearsal studio and blew us away with power and high notes. Back in '97 we were dead sure that we would never find a singer that was able to take on those melodies that Mikael Eriksson left us with (and continued to write) but Andreas proved us wrong. However, when we started to work on the songs for what will be our sixth album we all felt that these new songs called for another voice and expression. We also felt strongly that we needed to work with a singer that wrote his own lyrics.

"It was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make to ask Andreas Eklund to leave the band but there was no way around it but to part ways.

"We look back on the last 13 years and the ups and downs during these years proudly, as well as integral in shaping the band as it is today. But, life often calls for tough decisions and as all our fans know, HOUSE OF SHAKIRA are no quitters!"

Regarding the band's latest addition, Schelander stated, "We first heard Andreas' wonderful vocals on the magnificent MIND'S EYE album 'A Gentleman's Hurricane', and it's a voice that we all feel is perfect for the material we are writing at present.

"Andreas shares the same love for music with melodies as we do and our expectations on our collaboration are extremely high and we hope to enter the studio to begin recording in May."

The new HOUSE OF SHAKIRA lineup will make its live debut on April 24 at The Cave in Stockholm.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/houseofshakira.

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