THE LOWS
“ How cruel it seems to take away one life who taught so many more. Unfortunately there’s not one cure for the reason is still so unsure”
lyrics from the Jylt composition “Wounded”
Nia was inspired to write these words when she heard that someone who had influenced her life had been diagnosed with cancer. As a song, it is “a call to arms” but at the time of writing the lyrics little did she or the other members of Jylt realise that the words of the song would come back to haunt her, when at the point when Jylt had finally broken through and had secured a much prized record and publishing deal, tragedy struck.
In August 2002 ,whilst in Leeds recording the bands first single “Surrender“, Nia, one of the singer/song writers and the bands' bass player, suddenly became unwell and within a week had been diagnosed with leukaemia - a life threatening cancer of the blood. Always remaining positive and, in the words of the above song, Nia “signed on to the war” and began her own fight to return to good health. Sadly, within eighteen months, she had lost her battle for life and she passed away peacefully on the 21st February 2004.
A brave and talented young woman, her determination to return as soon as possible to her beloved Jylt helped her through the many dark days of the aggressive treatments she was forced to endure.
As for the other band members, Nia’s initial diagnosis was devastating news which hit them all so badly. After initial efforts to keep the Jylt sound alive by gigging locally, the long time friends and band members Alex, Sarah and Tim found it impossible to go forward and, with Nia’s death in 2004 it signalled the end of Jylt as a musical force.
Being hospitalised and unable to work with the band, Nia re-kindled her love of painting and drawing.Before she died, a website was set up in her name which displays examples of her art work which she chose herself.This can be viewed on www.niageorge.com
Click on the link below to view her work and to listen to tracks from her album called "Messages"which includes Jylt performances.
NIA's WEBSITE
