ENTERTAINMENT: Ninth Life to play in south county this weekend

Group's repertoire is eclectic.

By ROBERT KINSLER

CONTRIBUTOR

The aptly-named Ninth Life will bring a range of sonic influences to the stage when the quintet performs at Wind & Sea Restaurant in Dana Point Harbor on Friday and Saturday night.

Founded by guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Albert Eles and fronted by talented singer-songwriter Cheryl Aranda, the group (originally called Living Proof) performs a sonic blend of pop, rock, blues, folk and country. Ninth Life also features drummer Jess Baker, bassist Marc Croft and guitarist Steven Noguera.

Eles has been the only constant throughout the history of the troupe, which has been a mainstay on the south Orange County music scene for more than 11 years. However, since the addition of Aranda five years ago, the group's artistic reputation has been on the rise, making Ninth Life a popular draw at venues such as the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach, Chaparosa Grill in Laguna Niguel and Wind & Sea in Dana Point.

In addition to her vocal work with Ninth Life, Aranda is an established solo artist and released her commercial debut "Looking for the Lightning" in 2001. She wrote all the songs on the disc, and also played guitar, keyboards and even engineered the album.

The success and critical praise for that CD – highlighted by her vocals – was offset by a diagnosis in late 2002 of early stage breast cancer. She battled the disease and has continued to write and record, despite a recurrence of her cancer in late 2006. Armed with a vocal sound and range that recalls Dido and Enya, Aranda is as comfortable singing original pop-rock as she is world music styled material.

Ninth Life will perform at Wind & Sea Restaurant, 34699 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, at 8 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 22. Admission is free.

Information: 949-496-6500.

Really Cool Article in the Orange County Register, 9/20/07:

ENTERTAINMENT: Ninth Life to play in south county this weekend

Group's repertoire is eclectic.