Singer Haale (pronounced like the first two syllables of hallelujah) was born Haale Gafori in the New York City borough of the Bronx to Iranian immigrant parents; her name means "the halo around the moon." Mixing her Persian heritage of Sufi mysticism and poetry with progressive rock, she became part of the downtown New York scene. By 2007, she was performing nationally at the Bonnaroo Festival and the South-by-Southwest music conference, while self-releasing two EPs, Morning and Paratrooper. Her first full-length album, No Ceiling, was released by Channel A Music on March 18, 2008. ~ William Ruhlmann