Taking Kauai by ‘Storm’

A musician whose music has been described by fans as otherworldly and celestial, timeless and enchanting will be making a tour stop on Kauai.

On Valentine’s Day, Simrit Kaur comes to Kauai for the “From the Ancient Storm” World Tour at Church of the Pacific in Princeville at 6 p.m.

“Life experiences can really show the fragility of life,” she said to how she draws inspiration for her music. “It forces me to go deep into myself.”

Her life experiences, which are sometimes “big and scary,” include being struck by lightning while hiking the Appalachian Trail 10 years ago.

“We were eight miles into the wilderness,” she said. “We heard thunder and we were aware that we needed to find shelter. We knew we had an hour or two.”

Despite the attempt to seek shelter, Kaur and her friend were both struck by a blue light, which cracked from the sky. The light hit him first and then like a conductor in the ground, went in through one of her limbs and out of another.

Kaur describes the event as one of the “scariest moments of her life.”

As an independent artist who runs her own music label, Kaur’s band is comprised of five musicians including herself on vocals and hand drums.

Gordon ‘Salis’ Hellegers, whose African name was given to him by his adopted family in Mali, will play the kora, which is a unique 21-string lute used extensively in West Africa. Daniel Paul will be on Tabla. Two other members of the band will not fly to Kauai.

Kaur, born in Athens, Greece, is excited to be coming to Kauai. She said it’s hard for her to define her music but describes how she feels when she’s at one of her shows.

“I am present in the moment with the people and in my own world,” she said. “I am so sensitive to the people in the audience. It’s a different world. Other worldly.”

Advance tickets, $25, are available at the Harvest Market in Hanalei, Healthy Hut in Kilauea, Kauai Music and Sound in Kapaa and Mac Made Easy in Lihue. Tickets at the door are $35.

Info: simritkaurmusic.com