“Beautiful, lilting harp melodies are balanced by slashing, inventive guitar songs, all deeply grounded by Allegra’s astonishing voice-an instrument of intimate pleasure and ultimate pain. Patti Smith and Polly Harvey move over… This is the coming of the new age. You cannot miss this remarkable girl.” – Mark St John

Allegra Bonner aka Allegra Shock, is a singer, songwriter, harpist and guitarist currently living in London. She will be performing at the Dutch Flat Hotel, Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Christine and Rob Bonner will also be
joining her along with her son, Jarvis.

Allegra Shock is nothing if not an enigma. Her love of poetry and, in fact, words stemmed from the battles she used to have with her 7th grade teacher, Mr. Adams, who she grew to adore. The Alta-Dutch Flat School was extremely inspiring to this creative spirit.

Inherently shy but at home on the stage is not an unfamiliar
story. But Allegra took that, ran with it and has made it her life. Some might say it was her survival instinct.
The dictionary became Allegra’s sidekick and soon she began writing her own songs. “I was a total nerd” she says sheepishly, sipping on her chamomile tea.

At the age of 15 she began performing her original songs and the stage became her safe place and lifetime love. In her words, “ I never wanted to be famous, I think that’s the unfortunate thing about being really good at what you do. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Family, privacy, and knowing who your friends are is sacred.”
I’m so grateful for my parents, Christine and Rob Bonner, for
their inspiration and enduring support. Art and creativity is a way of life. And I am so happy to have been given this gift.”

Allegra was inspired by the art of Salvador Dali and Thomas Kandinsky which ultimately inspired and compelled her to write songs. With her love of art and a rebel heart she ventured into the unknown. Painting with words and instruments as her familiar medium, she travels around the world collecting stories and with a sense of style that blends bohemian with punk and it’s very clear she is loving life!

I ask the obvious question, “who are your influences?” She
pauses, “Aside from my first cat Popeye, I can’t think of anyone… that cat landed on his feet!”
“Musically speaking, I’d have to say Patti Smith, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, the Stooges, The Clash, Beatles, Stones, Chavella Vargas. I could go on but that’s the foundation of the house that built me. Can I add that no house would be complete without a roof so…musically, artistically as well as architecturally my amazing parents Christine and Rob Bonner have been the biggest influences in my life.”
After speaking to Allegra, I can honestly say she is one of the rare artists I can say is a true original. She vacillates between fragile, demure and vulnerable to fierce, dark and rock and roll.
A force to be reckoned with and if you ever have the opportunity to see her live, I can’t recommend it highly enigma, I mean enough! Life is too short to miss out on Miss Shock! — Interview by Alex Versant

Tickets are available: Cherry Records, Auburn; The Trading Post, Dutch Flat; Rainbow Music Co., Colfax
Advance–$20, at the door $25 (All proceeds go to the traveling artists) For info. contact: Christine 530-906-2457