Lhasa

Nettwerk is deeply saddened to report on the passing of Lhasa de Sela, who passed away in her Montreal home on the night of January 1st 2010, just before midnight. She succumbed to breast cancer after a twenty-one month long struggle, which she faced with courage and determination.

Lhasa was a truly gifted and inspiring musician, and we are privileged to have had the opportunity to work with her over the years. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.

Throughout her difficult struggle, she continued to touch the lives of those around her with her characteristic grace, beauty and humor. The strength of her will carried her once again into the recording studio, where she completed her latest album, followed by successful record launches in Montreal at the Théatre Corona and in Paris at the Théatre des Bouffes du Nord. Two concerts in Iceland in May were to be her last.

She was forced to cancel a long international tour scheduled for autumn 2009. A projected album of the songs of Victor Jara and Violeta Parra would also remain unrealized.

Lhasa de Sela was born on September 27, 1972, in Big Indian, New York.

The week of September 15 sees the release of diverse albums from three Nettwerk recording artists: The Rifles, Butterfly Boucher and Lhasa de Sela.

UK rock band The Rifles release their N. American debut The Great Escape, and journey to the US and Canada starting September 22 in Philadelphia (full dates below). Fans can check out the entire album this week while AOL/Spinner hosts a listening party. The Rifles burst onto the UK music scene in 2006 with their rebellious and attitude-laden debut No Love Lost, an album revealing the hopes and dreams of working-class suburban drudgery. They spent the next two years touring relentlessly and building an enormous army of fans along the way, which includes some of the foursome’s musical heroes like Paul Weller, Tim Lovejoy, Oasis and more. Download the first single "Great Escape" HERE.